How to make a paper leather deer die cut cuff bracelet

Sizzix paper leather is such a fun material to work with. It die cuts like a dream and one of my all time favorite motifs to use in my art, jewelry making and crafts is a deer and this Tim Holtz Holiday Knit deer sweater like pattern is awesome!

So I thought I'd make a cuff with paper leather and the deer die.

The first step was to iron on some Heat n Bond to one side of the gray paper leather.
Then die cut the deer pattern.

Peal off the backing paper and iron the gray paper leather to a piece of black paper leather.

Cut the cuff to the size you would like it to be on your wrist - I did mine about 2 inches wide but you could make it any width you like.

I rounded the corners a bit and ran it through my sewing machine stitching a row of black stitches along each side about 1/4 of an inch in from each edge.

Use your favorite closure method- Velcro would work great or a button and button hole I bet would work great too.

Project Runway avant-garde / unusual material challenge Swarovski and chicken wire necklace

I know, who would think to combine Swarovski crystals and chicken wire except for me? Well I am always up for a challenge and that's what my New Year's resolution was- to really stretch my material combos.

And the back of my Project Runway avant-garde / unusual material challenge Swarovski and chicken wire necklace :

Hey and if you want to make one too or you were simply wondering how I did it- read on!

Materials:
Swarovski crystals 
a lot of what I used are from the collection in this box:

M-D Hobby & Craft Chicken Wire
Wrights satin blanket binding silver
wire
head pins
jump rings

Tools
needle nose pliers
round nose pliers
wire cutters
scrap paper
tape
protective gloves

So gather up lots of Swarovski crystals and beads of all shapes, sizes and colors.

Make a paper pattern to fit your neck and tape it to the chicken wire.

Be sure to wear safety gloves and rough cut out the chicken wire.

Then form tiny loops at all the ends of the chicken wire along the top, bottom and ends of the chicken wire.

Then simply make lots of bead dangles either with a single bead or groups of crystals and add them to each end and space of the chicken wire.

I also wire wrapped a few crystals that didn't have holes. This took me a few attempts to get them just the way I liked them as I decided to add tiny beads to the wires that went from the focal element to the chicken wire. This shot shows the hand and the 4 four heart shaped crystal the way I liked it and the wire clipped on the carrot shaped crystal as I was about to re-do that one.

I pressed open the satin blanket binding and then looped it through an opening in the chicken wire on each side of the necklace and tied a big bow.

How to make a double loop bead bail for a side drilled hole bead

I have had these beautiful sick green colored beads for so long but couldn't figure out how to make a pair of earrings with them because the holes in them went sideways and I don't really like wire wrapping. Well, I finally figured out a way to hang them and I thought I'd share it with you.

Here are some of my first attempts that I didn't like.

1. I tried to use a giant jump ring, I couldn't make it symmetrical and I chipped a bead doing it.
2. I tried the wire wrapping but just convinced myself I didn't like it.
3. I tried a loop on each end and thought maybe I would hang a chain but still thought that would be too big/fancy.
4. My success!

Here is how I made what I am calling a double loop bead bail.

I threaded a piece of wire through the bead.

Then I bent the wire around the top of the bead and bent the two ends up to run next to each other.

 Then I slid a small white bead over both wires and bent them out in opposite directions.
I then formed loops with both wires so that they aligned next to each other.

 I trimmed each wire loop so that it wrapped around twice.
All that was left to do was link them onto the earring wires.

For more great jewelry making inspiration check out one of my all time favorite inspiration books

1000 Jewelry Inspirations
by
Sandra Salamony

A visual catalog for jewelry, bead artists, and crafters for hundreds of ideas at their fingertips to inspire their own projects.

1,000 Jewelry Inspirations is a stunning showcase of contemporary jewelry pieces that will feed the creative appetites of crafters and jewelry makers everywhere. Become inspired by this feast of color, sparkle, texture, dimension, and clever, creative use of materials. From simple and elegant to beautiful and elaborate “bling”styles, over 1,000 full-color images will be at your fingertips to inspire your own creative projects. An exploration of jewelry-making techniques will help even inexperienced jewelry makers on their way to making beautiful jewelry.

What you’ll find:

Beads and Baubles

Paper and Mixed Media

Polymer and Precious Metal Clay

Vintage and Repurposed

Fibers and Fabric

Wire and Metal

How to make a recycled plastic food container Valentine " XO" necklace

Making jewelry and playing with letters and type has got to be the ultimate culmination of getting to do two things at once for me. Today I made this fun "XO" (hug and kiss) Valentine's Day necklace out of a black plastic party to-go tray with inspiration from the book Upcycled Jewelry: Bags, Belts, and More.

I die cut the X and O using a Sizzix die cutter out of the black plastic party tray.

I went through my stash of jewelry chain and parts to find elements to put with my plastic letters.

As it turned out a vintage clip earring worked great to use to link the X to the necklace! Totally random and cool.

If you like making recycled jewelry and working with materials in different ways I bet you will really like the book:



Upcycle to create 35 stunning pieces of jewellery and accessories. Discover how to take something that was destined for the rubbish bin and give it a new purpose, transforming it into something beautiful. Expert crafter Linda Peterson shows you 35 creative ways to upcycle ring pulls from drinks cans, zips, plastic, bike chains, tyre tubes and more. From a stylish ring pull belt to a pretty gold zip bracelet, and from stamped plastic earrings to a chunky bike chain bangle, there's plenty here to inspire you to get crafting. Every project has clear step-by-step photographs to guide you, and a basic techniques section covers all you'll need to know.

Margot Potter's latest bling sensation-New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry

Margot Potter tops herself every time! Her latest book New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry: Unexpected Combinations, Unique Designs is beyond inspiring. I have almost every book she has written and they are just a wealth of sparkly projects and techniques that every jewelry maker can use as a great tool to kick their designs into fabulous-land! (Oh! and want to win a copy? Pop on over to Craft Gossip Recycled to enter to win one)
This pair of upcycled earrings is my first bit of bling inspired by New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry.
I took my first inspiration from her project titled Amphora. What really caught my eye was her color combo combined with the size and shape elements she chose to work with. I went through my stash to find some square beads to combine with contrasting seed beads.

I used some old plain hoops as my base and wrapped away. I used 3 square beads as Margot did as the rule of 3's makes for a pleasing design and filled the rest of the hoop with the tiny black glass seed beads. I really like light blue and black but I will most definitely be trying the red and sick green combo too!
New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry:
Unexpected Combinations, Unique Designs

By
Margot Potter

Discover 30 stepped-out projects that explore the possibilities for using wire as a dimensional design feature as well as a structural one through combinations of both hard, soft wire and beads. In addition to basic wire-working techniques, inside New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry you'll find a thorough introduction to the various types of wire that popular author Margot Potter uses throughout the book. Projects are organized into five chapters, each with a different focus on the type of wire used. Two chapters focus on hard-wire projects, two on soft wire, and a final chapter combines the two wire types together. Troubleshooting tips are sprinkled throughout the book and three variations per chapter give you great additional inspiration!

Margot Potter has published six jewelry-making books with North Light Books. She's a designer, author, freelance writer, consultant, public speaker, actor and vocalist, video host and TV personality. Margot also creates innovative designs for major manufacturers, books and magazines and teaches popular seminars and classes at major craft and jewelry industry events.

Interview with Jema "Emilly Ladybird" Hewitt, author of Steampunk Emporium

Today I have not only a fun project to share with you I have an interview with the author of the book the project is from! But wait there's more! If you want to win a copy of the book pop on over to Recycled Crafts at CraftGossip.com to enter to win your very own copy of Steampunk Emporium: Creating Fantastical Jewelry, Devices and Oddments from Assorted Cogs, Gears and Curios.
The cute little gear earrings in the top photo were so much fun to make! And talk about easy! It's one of those instant satisfaction kind of projects. All I did was grab two gears and a hand-full of of Swarovski crystals in assorted sizes and shapes and followed the great directions in Steampunk Emporium and I had a fun pair of Steampunk Gear earrings!

Now onto the interview with Jema "Emilly Ladybird" Hewitt.

How did you first find out about the Steampunk look?

"I trained as a costume designer and always loved the late Victorian bustle era, so I started making my own slightly odd versions of Victorian clothes for dressing up and having tea in, I loved the "almost historical" look of films like Dune and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but it wasn't until I read "The Difference Engine" I realised that a genre name had been invented! I suppose I started to notice the altered steampunk Victorian things creeping into books, films and art more and more over the years and thought wow this is so cool! I want to be more involved."

Have you always crafted and designed or did you start so that you could make Steampunk style things?

"I have always been a crafter, even as a small child I was always sewing, gluing or painting something!Although I did well academically at school I realised that I loved designing and making too much not to do it full time, even if that meant a deeply precarious career. I went to college and university to study theatrical design, and met lots of other wonderful creative people in those early years. The great thing is because we shared interests and admired a similar design ethos lots of them have been quietly creating steampunk style art too over the years, and now we are getting back in touch and going "wow" at each other!"

What did you find to be the most fun part of writing Steampunk Emporium?

"I loved thinking up the themes and the characters, imagining all the gadgets and accessories they might want and then working out what those things might look like. The character photography was great fun too, I got the models in my studio, they had fun trying on different looks for the characters then laughed at me as I snapped away, saying "oh no! there's a dinosaur, look scared, oh no actually look totally unconcerened because you haven't seen him yet..." we had a real fun time doing that, then Julian worked to my brief putting the backgrounds in and aging the pictures till the characters came to life! The models are all real steampunk people too, they weren't just hired for the day, they love steampunk too!"

What is your favorite Steampunk object to make?

"My favourite is making my weird gadgets in pocket watch cases, every single one is a totally unique piece of art, and there's lots of scope for modelling,sculpting and using mixed media in those pieces too which I enjoy. I'm a real experimenter, always trying out new materials and pushing things to their limits. I've got into resin in a big way recently so I'm going to have to think of some ways of combining that with my old favourite polymer clay. I like thinking about the functions of each gadget, what the parts might do, how pieces could move or be read in an imaginary situation."

Since most projects use recycled materials do you ever find it hard to use an object you only have one of in a design?

"Oh goodness yes, especially as most of my work is for sale, I have real problems sometimes letting an object go, it can take weeks for me to put a favourite bit into a piece, but it will just keep coming back to me that it's the perfect thing so I'll give in, then I see it being worn by a new owner who obviously adores it, and I think, I'm glad I used that, it's time it had new adventures with a new owner! It's also what makes steampunk so special I think, the importance of handmade one of a kind objects. I know you can buy mass produced "steampunk style" finished pieces of clothing or jewellery now, but to me that's kind of missing the point, as well as expensive..."

What is next on your "to try" list?

"Well, only today I have been playing with fantasy film and "dip it" film, experimenting with making tiny absinthe fairy wings. I'm going to be making more steampunk style tiaras, I want to play with more moving pieces too, gogs and gears that turn and do stuff. When I started writing the book there was hardly any steampunk specific supplies available, for example I had to beg manufacturers to design stamps for me in cog shapes! but now there's so much steampunk style components and tools to play with, I want to have it all! I would love love love to own a sissex big shot and all the tim holtz cutters and textures, mmmmmm."

What is your favorite swear word? (taken from Ravelry)

"lol! I try very hard not to swear too much, but I do say "pants" a lot, (as in the english "knickers"). I got that one from my friend the fantasy artist Jon Hodgson when we were at college. I'm quite a calm person so I don't often feel the need to swear, but if I mess up with the resin or run out of a certain type of bead then I will let a cross "Oh Pants!!!" fly."

What music is your favorite to have on while creating?

"I love electro swing, so when I'm working on the dining table I'll often have a mix of that with classical and blues too. My husband works from home so I usually let him sort the music out, we have similar taste in the main so that's OK. In my studio I listen to radio four pretty much exclusivly, for which most of my friends mock me. I like hearing peoples voices around, without being expected to answer, I get very focused when I'm working and can't form sentences to chat. Working alone can be lonely at times but radio four is always full of interesting educational programs, and plays and stories, I'm always learning something new! Oh dear, I sound like a crazy lady!"

What books are you currently engrossed in?

"I mainly read novels and historical reference books, and I read voraciously, often two or three books at a time, so my current bedside books are... "Cake and Ale" a history of victorian food and eating habits. "Heartstone" by CJ Sansom, a tudor thriller, and Philip Reeves "Mothstorm" which is a riproaring childrens steampunk adventure. My copy of "The Steampunk Bible" just arrived, (in which i'm a featured artist), so i'll be reading that next and I'm hoping to get "Android Karenina" for my birthday..."

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your answers to my questions!

I hope all you Sweater Surgery readers enjoyed the answers as much as I did!

More about Steampunk Emporium: Creating Fantastical Jewelry, Devices and Oddments from Assorted Cogs, Gears and Curios from the publisher North Light Books:

The steampunk genre takes Victorian charm and steam-powered machinery parts and combines that with modern day elements and technology. In Steampunk Emporium, you are introduced to the rich charm and harrowing adventures of the steampunk world. Follow along with author Jema "Miss Emilly Ladybird" Hewitt as she guides you through several beginning-level jewelry techniques (basic wire wraps, using basic findings and so on) as well as some basic work with polymer clay, resin, shrink plastic and other mixed-media techniques. She then takes you on a jaunt through 20 projects divided between five themed chapters, each its own fantastical story. Projects range from decadent jewelry, medals of great distinction, wine charms for imbibers, and many devices of note, all featuring authentic steampunk style and whimsy.

Jema Hewitt is a freelance craft writer, as well as a costume and jewelry designer. She has written articles for both ?Making Jewellery Magazine? and also ?Craft Stamper? on many projects in the steampunk genre. Jema has been at the forefront of the UK steampunk movement for several years and her alter ego, ?Emilly Ladybird?, has a large social media following. She is a regular lecturer and workshop leader in the UK and has written two books on beading and jewelry making with New Holland and has two best-selling DVDs on tiara making (Rainbow Disks).

How to make fallen soldier uniform pendants

It is important to always remember the soldiers who give their lives for us every day but we do dedicate a very special day to them. So it is this weekend that I bring you my second fallen soldier project. Last year I posted about the tote bags I made for two Gold Star Moms out of their son's uniforms. This year I have to share with you a pendant that I made with scraps from one of the fallen soldier's uniforms, SPC Nick Steinbacher.

If you would like to make one here is how I made the uniform pendant:
I made a little square window the size of the Judikins pendant. I then could move the window around to get just the right bit of digital camo to fill the pendant.

Then I placed a bit of double sided Scotch poster tape on the back to stabilize the fabric, prevent it from fraying when cut and to stick it in the pendant.

I cut out the digital camo uniform piece and stuck it in the pendant.

Then I filled the pendant with Gel du Soleil Sunlight Curing Epoxy.

I am so grateful to all who serve and give me the freedom to do what I do.

Thank you.

Bah Bah Black sheep necklace

Did I get you giggling? I hope so. If you know me you know I am a black sheep so this necklace is quite appropriate. I have so much fun wearing it.

It was fun to make too!

Makin's air dry clay is a dream to work with.

All I did was roll out some of the black and some of the white clay and cut out sheep with their sheep cutter.

I poked a hole in them while they were still soft and set to dry.

I stamped "ewe" on the white sheep and "me" on the black sheep.

I then coated all the sheep with some Judikins Diamond Glaze and linked it all up with some chain.

Easter Egg Locket necklace

The first line in the description of the book Curious Dreams is, "It's all about creating the curious." and I have to say the book inspired me to do just that. One of the most "curious" charms is a locket and the new line Fairy Tale from Blue Moon Beads has 3 charming lockets including one of my all time favorite shapes- an egg. The egg locket and some of their other new clasps, chain and bead strands were the perfect elements to make a spring mixed media necklace inspired by one of the pieces in the gallery section of the eye candy filled book Curious Dreams.
Now this book is packed full of really cool casting and molding techniques that I am so going to try when I score some epoxy clay but right now it's the tiny fun details that have my creativity hatching.
So I wanted the egg locket to be the focal dangle and I linked it onto this great big beautiful toggle clasp. Coming off each side I used super sized chain (this is Blue Moon Bead's as well although it's from their Fashion Findings line) and on the other side I used a smaller chain and the Fairy Tail Acrylic and Metal Bead strand.

I attached each side while the lengths were long and then held it up to my neck in front of the mirror to decide how long I wanted it to hang. I used safety pins to mark each length. I opened the links on each side and then linked the two ends together since the clasp is in the front.
Since this pretty little enameled egg is in fact a locket and opens up it needed something in it like the inspiration piece had. A great source for tiny photos is the contact sheet you get when you have your photos printed. I had the perfect photo of me and my cousin from a few Easters back with our bunny ears on.
I trimmed the photo down and glued it into the egg locket on one side. I will keep my eyes out for another tiny photo or something else for the other side or to layer on top of the photo but for now your curiosity will just have to be sparked!

More about the book:
Inspired Remnants, Curious Dreams:
Mixed Media Projects in Epoxy Clay
By
Kerin Gale

"It's all about creating the curious. Inside this book, you will be introduced to 26 very unique and unusual stepped-out projects, each offering new techniques using epoxy clay. Two-part epoxy clay can be sculpted and manipulated in a variety of ways and is extremely durable when cured, resulting in amazing effects that are easy to achieve with no sculpting experience necessary! You will learn the basics of working with this new craft medium and then dive into the projects, which feature sculpted and molded epoxy clay inspired by and often combined with altered remnants. Projects include mixed-media pieces such as a small totem, curio cabinet, fish tank and lighting along with personal style and jewelry items fashioned in a curious, Victorian Gothic style.

Kerin is part mad scientist, rogue artist, goddess of software quality, teacher, writer and explorer of all things curious. When not in the studio or garage sailing, she can be found frolicking about deserted beaches seeking out windswept treasures and watching inspiring tales wafting by in a remote area of the southern Oregon coast.

Kerin loves to work with many art materials including resins, found objects, clays of all sorts and metals.

Another great love is sharing with other artists. To that end she has launched an online mixed media art site with their own etsy team, a huge collection of art images, online workshops, featured artists, book reviews and artistic challenges.

She, along with her gifted husband, Charley Slaughter, create mechanical art (automata), sculpture and jewelry and are represented in several galleries. They also teach at national art retreats as well as local venues. Kerin's work can be found in Somerset Studio magazine, Altered Bits Zine, 1,000 Steampunk Creations (Quarry Books July 2011) and 500 Pendants and Lockets (Lark Books May 2008)."

Recycled sweater, fabric and button cuff

I had the opportunity to cut stuff up with the Xyron Creatopia and I just had to test drive it with some recycled wool felted sweaters. So I whipped up a few cuffs.
I applied some dry adhesive onto the back of the fabric with the Creatopia.
I then ran the fabric and a rough cut of wool felted sweater through the Creatopia using the two scalloped edge blades. I widened the blades for the sweater strip to create a border.

Then I pealed off the backing paper from the fabric strip and stuck it down to the sweater strip.

I wired a button to one end and then wrapped it around my wrist to get the button hole placement. I used the die cutting attachment to die cut some hearts for a final embellishment.

That's my latest bit of Sweater Surgery I have to share with you! Happy cuttin'

Bead and Soft Flex crochet bracelet inspired by Heidi Boyd's new book- Wired Beautiful

I simply love Heidi Boyd's style and her new book Wired Beautiful exemplifies her wonderful design sensibility. Not only are the designs all pieces I'd like to wear, there are some really cool techniques she shows you how to do. Me being me, I had to mix them up.
She did some really cool crocheting with wire and knitting with Soft Flex designs. I thought I'd try crocheting with Soft Flex. This bracelet is what I came up with. It kind of reminds me of the weird sculptures you can make with those magnetic marbles or atomic structures.

This is how I made my Soft Flex and bead crochet bracelet.
-I gathered up some old necklaces that had a wide variety of sizes black beads, .019 Medium Stainless Steel/ Nylon Coated Soft Flex, and some crochet hooks.

(Yes those are another pair of ping pong eyeballs I made in last week's post hangin' out watching)

-I cut the necklaces apart and strung the beads onto the Soft Flex (about 35) in a random order of sizes.
To keep the beads and the the stitches from coming undone I put a small piece of Scotch tape on the end.
-Then I simply did a chain stitch sliding one bead up within each stitch. This is what it looked like with the stitches very loose. I ended up liking it when I pulled the stitches really snug and used a smaller hook(I/9). All that was left to do was secure the ends together and I can slip it over my hand because there is a nice bit of stretch and give.

Want to see an inside peek into her book? Pop on over to this post at her blog for a double loop earring project.

So if you in the mood for a new book packed full of all sorts of wiring inspiration and tutorials grab yourself a copy of:
Wired Beautiful:
30+projects to hammer, coil, spiral and twist
By
Heidi Boyd

More about the book from North Light Books:
"Wired Beautiful features 30+ projects that will get you excited about the many ways you can use wire in your jewelry projects. Best-selling author Heidi Boyd takes you through the ins and outs of working with wire for your jewelry designs. You’ll learn how to make wire do your bidding in four detailed chapters: Spiraled & Coiled, Linked & Hammered, Wrapped & Bundled and Knotted & Stitched. Each project includes clear step-by-step photos and detailed instructions.

With Wired Beautiful, you’ll discover:

• Unique techniques. Introduces traditional wire techniques, but also new methods not typically found in wire-jewelry books, such as using a knitting spool, creating cages and flower shaping.

• Fresh designs and great basics. In addition to the 30+ projects—including bracelets, earrings, necklaces pendants and rings—you’ll learn basic jewelry-making techniques you can use in your own designs.

• Easy-to-find materials. You’ll be introduced to a range of materials you can easily find at your favorite online and local craft supply retailers.

Let Wired Beautiful wrap you up in great jewelry!

About the Author

Heidi Boyd is the author of eleven North Light books, most notably the Simply Beautiful series. She has a degree in fine art, and her goal is to make sophisticated design approachable and easy for all. Her work has been featured most recently in Stitch magazine, in Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts, and in Amos Crafts n Things. "

Recycled Necklace design inspired by Margot Potter's latest Fabulous book-Bead Chic

Deer, dear bling! Yup that's what I have for you today. The Impatient Crafter's latest book Bead Chic arrived and it rocks! It is organized by design features like scale, color, texture, etc. and I love that! I am partial to off center projects that include lots of different elements and this book is packed full of fun inspiration that features designs using all sorts of textures and proportions.

This is my first necklace I made using some of the inspiration from Bead Chic.
Margot was inspired by Coco Chanel to make the piece on this page and I like how bold and graphic it is. I scored this vintage rhinestone deer recently and I've been wanting to use it in a necklace for a while.
I linked a big metal circle to the pin with some jump rings and linked two different scraps of chain into the pin back (I later took the big one off after it was assembled) Hey I changed my mind, we designers get to do that, ya know!

I linked the side focal deer/ring element to one side of the chain necklace and lengthened the back chain part so the side focal element would hang properly.

So if you like working with all sorts of different jewelry making techniques and styles I bet you too will love:

More about Bead Chic:36 Stylish Jewelry Projects & Inspired Variations

by

Margot Potter

from the publisher North Light Books:

Bead Chic will show you how to take inspiration that you love and forge your own creative path. After learning basic jewelry techniques, you’ll be launched into 36 gorgeous projects. Each project comes with a variation, so you’ll learn how easy it is to adapt virtually any project to suit your individual style, making you your own designer.

• Each of 36 stepped-out projects features an inspiring variation, including some from today’s hottest jewelry makers.

• Clear step-by-step photography and instructions allow beaders of all skill levels create projects exactly “as-is” in the book, while variations show how swapping out just one or two elements can make an entirely different look.

• You’ll get to play with beads, a variety of stringing materials—from coated wire, to shapeable wire to commercial chain—and findings, all easily found at local and online craft retailers.

Let Bead Chic bring out the designer in you!

About the Author

Margot Potter is a designer, author, freelance writer, consultant, public speaker, actor, vocalist and TV host. She creates innovative designs for major manufacturers and magazines, and teaches popular seminars and classes at stores and major craft and jewelry industry events. Margot is the author of five how-to jewelry books, including Beyond the Bead (North Light Books, 2009) and co-author of Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed (North Light Books, 2008).

Green Ring and wire earrings inspired by the book 101 Wire Earrings by Denise Peck

I get my inspiration for the projects I post here mostly from books but today I believe is the closest I've come to actually making a project just like the one in the book.

In 101 Wire Earrings: Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques are these simple wire earrings with a ring dangling from them. They are just so simple and nice.

Off to the stash to see what rings I had. These Enchanted Planet oval rings in my favorite shade of green were just perfect.

These earrings are what I call "instant satisfaction" for sure.

Like a lot of the designs in 101 Wire Earrings: Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques they are not hard to create but sure make a statement.

I have already made another pair but didn't have time to photograph them for this post but promise to soon!

If you like whipping up earrings with a bit of wire in a flash 101 Wire Earrings: Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques will not disappoint!
More about 101 Wire Earrings: Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques by Denise Peck from Interwaeve Press

"Providing detailed descriptions on how to intricately craft stylish wire earrings, this beautifully illustrated guide offers simple yet elegant projects that are inexpensive and easily accomplished. Easy-to-follow instructions and comprehensive definitions guide the jewelry maker through the many elements of wire working, such as headpins, jump rings, hoops, loops, spirals, and ear wires, clearly highlighting the techniques and detailing the quality materials necessary to produce functional and innovative works of wearable art. With a diverse selection of 101 contemporary earring projects submitted from top designers, wire crafters of all skill levels will hone their talents while discovering new and inspirational ideas for producing unique and creative works in one of the fastest growing trends of modern jewelry art."

Paper Jewelry inspired by The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide for Jewelers and Metalsmiths

This is my latest experiment in jewelry making inspired by the positively fabulous book The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques. I tend to love design that pushes the edge and this book is packed full of not only those types of designs but the "how-tos" to go along with the modern looks.

On this page you can see the cool flourish earrings. The design is actually in sheet metal but I have another idea! They reminded me of one of my Sizzix die cuts (Flourish #8) It is a thin die so it only likes to cut paper. Well I wanted to make a piece of flourish jewelry so I cut a bunch out of black paper.

I stuck two pieces together with a dry adhesive. Then I coated each side with Judikins DG3 Art Gel.

I linked a chain through each of the flourishes and then linked the flourishes together.

I've been wearing it while I writing this post and since the necklaces were two different weights it has shifted to have the focal flourishes on the side. It looks really cool!

I'll let you know how well it wears and how long it lasts. I am curious myself! But I guess that's why they call it an experiment. Hehe.

Love modern jewelry and want to make some yourself? Try this wonderful book from Interweave Press:

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide for Jewelers and Metalsmiths

by
Vannetta Seecharran

"Find creative direction, inspiration and the countless possibilities for designing contemporary jewelry.

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques

is a comprehensive guide for jewelers who want to create sensational, one-of -a-kind jewelry.

• All of the techniques are enhanced with step-by-step instructions and clear photographs
• Essential metalsmithing techniques are covered along with methods for working with a wide range of other materials which can be used on their own or in combination
• Included are techniques and processes for working with plastics, rubber, resin, ceramics, glass, leather, textiles, paper, natural and found objects, mixed media, and precious and non-precious metals
• Along with a helpful guide to the essential tools you will need, you???ll find that each chapter includes a thorough introduction to the properties and possibilities of each material and an examination of the techniques possible with that material

Finally, there is an invaluable resource of surface textures that can be achieved for all of the media featured in the book as well as a practical guide to the different kinds of clasps and closures available."