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!