Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Drink Mermaid Jewelry inspired by the wonderfully innovative book- A Charming Exchange

I have a theory that there is simply nothing that can't be re-purposed and this wonderful book is lending credence to my theory!
A Charming Exchange: 25 Jewelry Projects To Create & Share
by Kelly Snelling and Ruth Rae

"Readers will be introduced to techniques and inspiration for creating mixed-media charms and other jewelry items from a selection of twenty-five talented contributing artists. Together, these artists have collaborated to create a stunning charm bracelet that demonstrates techniques such as working with wire, beads, solder, fabric, found objects and more which can be applied to other crafts. In addition to reading about each individual artist's inspiration and creative thought process, readers will learn how to organize art swaps or collaborations of their own."

Kelly Snelling is a self-taught mixed-media artist whose work has been published in Artist Trading Cards Workshop, Somerset Memories (Formerly Legacy), Somerset Studio, Somerset Gallery and the 2007 Top Hat Calendar. Kelly holds a master’s degree from Ohio State University in journalism and telecommunications, and spent several years in the Creative Services office of NFL Properties.

Ruth Rae received her artistic training in metalsmithing and lapidary arts, but has also worked in fiber arts, polymer clay and precious metal clay. Her work can be found in retail shops within California and online at www.Belecia.com.
"

A Charming Exchange is packed with some of the wildest and innovative jewelry made from very unusual things. It also contains excellent how-to photographs and directions for lots of jewelry making techniques. I loved every page for it's complete unexpectedness. It also has a cool concept of making jewelry as a group, something I never thought of and is now on my "to-do" list. But for now I am taking my inspiration for today's jewelry from this page:
It contains a project titled "Tire-swing Babies" it is a very cool necklace made out of tiny plastic babies, the kind you use for decorations at a baby shower. Well, I didn't have those but what I did have that I thought would make some fun jewelry were some drink mermaids. I spray painted them silver and tried two ways of linking them to a necklace.

This first one I linked a jump ring around the waist and then a smaller jump ring to link it to the ball chain. This one is more floaty and the position of the mermaid can move around. More "swimmy"

This one I linked a small jump ring on each arm and then connected the two with a large jump ring. Then I linked the two ends of chain to the large jump ring independently. This pretty much keeps her floating in one spot.

So if you like making jewelry out of unusual things I bet you will really like this book too.



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7 comments:

Robin Hartman said...

What an awesome book! I have to have it now. Thanks for sharing.

Kelly Snelling said...

i'm so glad you are enjoying the book. thanks for the lovely review. and your mermaid necklace looks Fabulous!

Sherri Osborn said...

I just love your mermaid necklace... This blog post had my digging through my junk drawer to see what treasures I might have saved that could be used in this manner! I just might have to get this book, it looks like a good one!

Gold IRA said...

This is a lovely and pretty art. I like it very much. And this book is really very important and interesting. And this design is so attractive. Thanks for this information.Watch a free video on Gold IRA.

Eileen The Artful Crafter said...

It looks like a very worthwhile book - especially judging from what you came up with. I have lots of old charms like that. I love the mermaid necklaces.

TFS!

Amrutha said...

I am always fond of searching for latest jewelry items and i am so glad and loved your mermaid necklace.

Vintage Rings said...

It si awesome. I liked your book very much . I have big collection of jewelry. Collecting different type jewelry is my passion.

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