Other Excellent Jewelry Making Books
Combining other media with wire jewelry making offers some fabulous, endless
design possibilities and potential for embellishments. The books here were chosen
to address the marriage of wire with other media. These books will keep being
added as we find them.
The first book in this category, PLEXI Class, is a splendid book. Spending time
working with acrylic is primary on my own wish list now that I realize, by
reading PLEXI Class, how easy it is to learn. I'm also sorely enticed by the look
of translusence when combined with wire.
design possibilities and potential for embellishments. The books here were chosen
to address the marriage of wire with other media. These books will keep being
added as we find them.
The first book in this category, PLEXI Class, is a splendid book. Spending time
working with acrylic is primary on my own wish list now that I realize, by
reading PLEXI Class, how easy it is to learn. I'm also sorely enticed by the look
of translusence when combined with wire.
PLEXI Class: Cutting Edge Projects in Plastic by Tonia Davenport
If you're a jewelry artist who appreciates the look of glass, plastic or translucence or has ever thought of learning to work with plastic, PLEXI Class is a fabulous place to start. The author begins telling about her own attraction to Plexiglas stating that few materials are as versatile as it is to work with. Plexiglas is lightweight but durable and it breathes. She says that you can sand it, drill thru it, cut, glue, sand, heat and form it. It’s easy to work with and quite forgiving (meaning you can fix errors or mistakes). With all of that to recommend it, this may be a book you’ll want to get your hands on.
Davenport starts out with a good list of material supplies and also explains that Plexiglas is acrylic sheeting also known as Lucite. There are many types of plastic (I once ended up deeply confused when attempting to study plastics) so this is a good thing to know. She then explains the tools needed very fully along with the techniques for working with Plexiglas which is extremely helpful and removes any fears of working with a new material.
What I really like about this book is that in this first techniques section, Davenport very clearly shows how to cut sheets, do precision cutting, distress, smooth edges easily, drill and adhere decorative papers. This is quite well done and will easily lead you into your beginning projects.
There are 16 beginning projects for jewelry making that include earrings, bracelets, rings a choker and pendant. All of the projects are simple to make and rely on the reader having learned the new skills of drilling, hinging, sanding, cutting, etc. Having only worked with resin for my own jewelry, I have to admit that I now can’t wait to take a crack at working with Plexiglas. Seriously, I thought it was way more complicated than it is. I just had no idea how easy this was! I mean, did you know that you can use fabric dye to color your small jewelry pieces? Yep, because Plexiglas is acrylic, it will accept both paint and dye. I’m in heaven.
The remaining 13 projects are in the chapter, Plexi Accessories, and covers everything from hair ornaments to picture frames, small book covers, coasters, a nightlight, even a dog collar! So if you’re interested in working with Plexiglas other than for jewelry making, get this book.It will serve you well.
PLEXI Class: Cutting Edge Projects in Plastic by Tonia Davenport is a wonderful book indeed. It will give you the simple skills to work with acrylic sheet, inspire you and fire up your imagination and creativity. What more can you ask for in a good, how-to book? Click here to purchase.