Sunday, August 7, 2011

Book Review & Giveaway!

Yay, the time has come to share my review of Margot Potter's book, "New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry"!

This book is chock full of gorgeously photographed and creatively inspired jewelry.

Right off the bat, Margot beautifully describes the entire book in just one short, sweet and poetic paragraph:

"...We'll explore wire wrapping, twisting, coiling, crochet, jigs, chainmaille and more. We'll create architecturally and sculpturally inspired designs with beading wire and beads. We'll find new pathways of creative exploration and wander down them to see what we might discover. We'll make some interesting discoveries and a few glorious mistakes. Along the way, we'll hopefully learn some new techniques and form some fresh ideas..."

Ahh, makes me want to go grab a bunch of supplies and spread them out all around me!

I could stretch out this review to several blog posts, but I want to give you a chance to discover this book for yourself! What I do want to share are a couple of the things that I LOVED and a couple of the things that I learned.

The first chapter includes wire crochet and when I saw the giant crochet hook she was using, the first thought I had was, "uh, yeah, that would make crocheting with wire MUCH easier than using a regular sized yarn hook!" Why didn't I know that or think of that? I'm so excited to get one of those big hooks so I can revisit this process!

One more thing I just have to mention in case, like me, you have passed by the "spool knitter" tool and wondered how to use it to knit wire for jewelry pieces. I can't even tell you how many times I stopped to read the back of the package and work through the details in my mind, but was never brave enough to take the leap. Yay Margot! She has used it for a fabulously artsy piece and also shares a big secret for incorporating beads!! Love it!

Some of Margot's wire pieces are delicate and sweet while others pack a punch, but the step by step instructions and photos make it all look so easy! Throughout the pages she is cutting, bending, pounding and stringing with joy. You can really feel it through the colors, interesting techniques and excitement in her words.

The colorful dragonfly necklace pictured here is one of my faves because it is crafty and fun!

In the architectural chapter, I have to admit there was a serious favorite called "Calder". For this necklace, Margot was inspired by artist, Alexander Calder. I was surprised at how the simple and unique twisting and joining of wire created a gentle work of art for your neck. This is quietly fabulous, I hope you get a chance to see this one!

Margot has used buttons and lucite pieces I have never seen before to join her crafter's soul with her jewelry making skills in this book and I am so honored to have a chance to tell you about it.

AND, to offer a free copy to one lucky winner!! Just leave a comment on this post throughout the week and I'll select a random winner next Sunday. Good luck and thanks a million Margot!

29 comments:

Fernanda said...

The book sounds great - thanks for the review!

moonlitfantaseas said...

ld love to win this book, and try out some of the techniques!

Julia said...

Thanks for the information. This sounds great!

Lori Ann Davis said...

Is Margo amazing or what!! I've read nothing but very positive reviews of this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

Noemi said...

This books sounds fantastic. Very clever

Becky said...

Margot is sooo talented and I would love to win her latest book.

Holly said...

Okay, so thanks to your review, I've added this book to my "Must Haves"! :) And hopefully I'll win it, which would make it all the better! LOL Thanks for offering the book :)

Watercolors by Susan Roper said...

Ooooh! Now I know I have to have this book, if not won here then I still HAVE to have it!

Thanks (I think) for the review, now I want one.

Kate said...

Thanks for the review. This seems like a really neat book!

Mary K. McGraw said...

I am always interested in hearing about jewelry design books. Thanks for the review.

Dawn Doucette said...

I'm completely drooling! Margot's book sounds FABULOUS! So many different styles, so much inspiration! Count me in! I'll be a sharing the link on FB too!

Have a terrific week Lisa!
{Hugs!}

TesoriTrovati said...

This sure looks like a great book! I am excited by your review. I can't wait to see it!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

windycindy said...

My great-niece has just begun experimenting with jewelry making
techniques! She is 12 and seems to be very talented at making lovely jewelry creations. Wire wrapped
jewelry is a favorite of mine.
Winning this book for her would be
amazing!
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

Wire wrapped jewelry is a favorite of mine to wear! I just love the look...My great-niece has just begun to experiment with jewelry making techniques. Winning this book for her
would amazing

lorraine said...

awesome book...i love jewelry making!! raineoc@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Margot is my muse, when I need some inspiration I pick up one of her other books and Ta Da I've come up with something fantabulous. Love, Love, Love Margot. Her books are full of wonderful helpful tips and beautiful jewelry.

Unknown said...

I love beads, love wire, and know I would love this book.

Sandra said...

Wow... that sounds like a fabulous book! I'll have to keep my eye out for a bigger hook...I tried wire crochet and failed miserably >.< I put it off as something I just couldn't get the hang of, but now I wonder if it wasn't just me:)

Nancy Markosky said...

I have been seeing her new book on different blogs and would LOVE to win a copy. Thanks for the great review- sounds wonderful!

Melody said...

Sounds this book has good ideas.

melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

Be~Jeweled by Jana said...

The book sounds awesome! Great review, I'm putting it on my wish list!

TeriB said...

I'd love to win Margo's book! Her quirky attitude comes through with unique designs that really spark my own creativity!

Andrea said...

When I started down this beading journey, I was not interested in wire at all, because I thought "well that looks so manufactured" But I became enamored of wire through wire crochet. Next week I am signed up for a class in wire wrapping. I am realizing how essential wire work is to jewelry design. It opens up so many more avenues and solves many problems that a bought bale, head pin or jump ring cannot solve. This book seems like it would be very helpful to me as I explore my new found passion. Andrea Trank web site www.christinescottartfuliving.com and blog address is http://heavenlanecreations.wordpress.com

Lucid Moon Studio said...

Thanks for the review! It sounds like a great book - would love to win it!

patodat said...

Wow, Margot Potter is really cookin' She is a handmade jewelry explorer, brave and intrepid and true She is true because she is ready to share her explorations, to lead the way out ofthe darkness for us!

Anonymous said...

Nice review! Sounds like a must have book. Thanks for the chance to win it.

Mary said...

Since I am a beginner at jewelry making this book would be a great help!
Thanks for the chance to win it! :)

Tracy said...

Margot's book sounds fabulous, thanks for your indepth review....sounds like it's one for the beading bookshelf!

Karen O;Donnell said...

Oh I would love this book to start me off. I intend to take up jewellery making this Autumn x Karen