Junk-Box Jewelry by Sarah Drew

This beautifully illustrated guide shows teens how to create eye-catching jewelry out of found or recycled objects—at very little cost. Some fun projects include making pendants out of pebbles; sewing a stylish cuff using scraps of fabric; and fashioning a funky charm bracelet out of extra screws, washers, and other toolbox trinkets. The easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions are suitable for both beginner- and intermediate-level crafsters. This book also provides bonus tips on the tools you need to get started, where to find materials, and how to make money from your jewelry.

This book is geared toward teens who want to be a bit creative toward their jewelry but either will not or cannot spend much money. I think that the author should have just geared it toward everyone since many people of all ages like to make something new from something we don't use anymore. I'm one of them.

I enjoyed the creativity of the various projects throughout the book. I think when I have time I will try a few of these techniques. There is also a few wire wrapping techniques I've been wanting to try that are also included in this book. So I can see someone using this as an introduction to one technique and expanding to another. For those that crochet, you might also find one of the techniques interesting since there is an introduction to wire crochet. 

I give this book 3 stars I found this book useful for spring boarding ideas by using old jewelry. That in itself is worth the price of the book. I just think the author should expand her audience to all ages.

I received this eARC from NetGalley and the Publisher and no compensation for my review was given.

An example of what I was talking about can be seen at the publisher's website HERE and also below:

click to enlarge

What I've been Up to Lately...

Well, I've been into making some jewelry pieces I've been wanting for myself. Thought I'd show what I've been up to lately. Sadly, yes... it was wholesome. :) LOL

Anyhoo...

First I made myself a bee bracelet. In case you don't know Melissa means Honeybee so that is why you see so many bees on different Melissa pages (not just mine.. and there is actually only one on this blog!). I made it so I have magnetic links on either side of the bee centerpiece. The round "coins" are honey colored fake pearls interspaced by black crystals. The magnets make it easy to put on and take off.

Well, since I made this bracelet, my mom was going to a school reunion. She wanted to give her friends something special. She looked at me with those sad eyes (I hate it when parents learn from their kid!). So... I came up with:

I call it the 4 Roses Bracelet. There were 4 best friends and there nickname was... the 4 Roses (bet you didn't see that one coming... lol).

The roses are gold and silver I've alternated with a jet bead in between. The flat beads are glass and this one has a magnetic clasp for it to be easy to put on.

What do you think? I made an extra since I had enough beads and I might put it up in my Etsy store. Hmm....

Well, this watch was my next project. I've seen those watches where you have the leather wrapped a couple of times around the wrist. I thought they were very pretty, but I'm too cheap to spend $80 to $100 for a watch, so I decided to try to make it myself. Looking at the watches, there were 2 ways to do it. The one where you only had one long strap looked like the easiest to make. I didn't find the leather I wanted with the length I needed. so I used the jewelry leather and made it more like I would a bracelet. I added the chain so I could tighten or loosen the band because the smaller leather will either stretch (more likely) or shrink because it is a natural product.

Oh and guess what? I found the watch face on sale! Yay! My inner cheapskate was happy. :)

This is the last project I'm showing here. It's my mermaid necklace. I love mermaids and found the pendant (here) that I loved. So, I found a couple of chains that I wanted to put together. When I did, I thought it needed some interesting color. I had some silk ribbon in purple and green and wove it though the large chain. I then added real pearl dangles and one crystal dangle (next to the pendant) to the necklace. I'm quite happy with it and the bead I got to go with it (I decided against it) I was going to make into a matching bracelet, but I've just changed my mind and I'm going to make a different necklace. One that I can wear for more everyday.

Sorry about the pictures. I need to dig out my better camera, but the one I used is so much easier. Yea.. I know... excuses... ;) So, that is what else I've been up to besides reading in my spare time. How about you. Do anything fun lately?

Look What I Made!

I had seen this saying on the web somewhere and just loved it! I thought it would go perfect with another old watercolor Bette painting I had found. And since I love mermaids, I felt the saying and the picture would go well together. It was my first attempt at soldering. Granted it isn't the best, but eh... not bad. 

This picture was printed out by my computer and I placed it between 2 microscope slides. I then foiled it with copper foil and soldered it with some non-lead solder. You can find that at most crafting places, but I got mine at Etsy. I really enjoyed this and I think that I might just do more later when I get the technique much more professional looking. Otherwise I guess family might figure out what they "could" get for the holidays. ;)