What do you think?
Rate this book
Paper Jewelry: 55 Projects for Reusing Paper
With detailed instructions, templates, and colorful photography, this book shows how to craft 55 paper jewelry projects. Colorful and graphic designs range from necklaces, brooches, earrings, and bracelets to hair accessories. Learn how to find inspiration in a wide variety of recycled papers. Projects re-use maps, stationery, comic books, cardboard, magazines, and even candy wrappers. The various projects appeal to a wide variety of aesthetics, from the more traditional and refined to the more contemporary and flamboyant. There are also projects for a wide range of skill levels, making this an inspiring and practical book for everyone from beginners to established jewelry artists.
- GenresNonfiction
176 pages, Paperback
First published May 28, 2015
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 20, 2015
I can't say enough how gorgeous this book is. Would be PERFECT as a gift for the crafter in your life. Beautiful pictures and full of great ideas. So impressed!
May 22, 2015
This book has a lot of cute ideas for making jewelry out of paper. The photos included are really beautiful. I would love to wear some, but unfortunately I have neither the time nor inclination to put forth as much effort as most of these designs require. I also wonder about the durability of most of them- seeing as how they are made of paper and all. I love the idea of collecting and repurposing paper scraps, but I question the author's suggestion of cutting up a Bible to make jewelry. I think suggesting this of any religious text is bound to offend many.
July 24, 2015
I was asked to give an honest review of this book on NetGalley.
Interesting but quite complex paper jewellery. I enjoyed reading more than I would like the making process. It's an interesting way to recycle paper, needling few tools. I may pursue the idea in the future.
Well presented, good illustrations but so far not tempted me to try making any projects. Edited, I have tried 2 projects from the book!
Interesting but quite complex paper jewellery. I enjoyed reading more than I would like the making process. It's an interesting way to recycle paper, needling few tools. I may pursue the idea in the future.
Well presented, good illustrations but so far not tempted me to try making any projects. Edited, I have tried 2 projects from the book!
September 3, 2015
I love this book!
A great way to make jewellery from found and purchased paper.
Newspaper, sweet wrappers and bought art postcards are just some of the items used.
An inexpensive way to update your wardrobe!
Very simple, clear instructions to make individual pieces.
Very highly recommended.
This digital copy was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest, unbiased review.
A great way to make jewellery from found and purchased paper.
Newspaper, sweet wrappers and bought art postcards are just some of the items used.
An inexpensive way to update your wardrobe!
Very simple, clear instructions to make individual pieces.
Very highly recommended.
This digital copy was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest, unbiased review.
July 8, 2015
I am always looking for recycled book crafts and this book is perfect for me. I found so many ideas that I can not wait to try. The projects are simple and very low cost. I can see children to adults loving these projects. Directions are clear and easy to follow.
October 15, 2023
Being a library director, I love the idea of using books and paper to create things, so I thought Paper Jewelry by Barbara Baumann (also a librarian) would be right up my alley. While some designs were eye-catching and quite creative, I was more often left wondering about the appearance and comfort of actually wearing the pieces. There was not one photo of any item being worn, and I'm certainly not going to go through the often painstaking and time-consuming process of constructing jewelry that ends up being unattractive or bulky when worn.
Most of the directions seem pretty straightforward, but there were times when they were too simplistic and vague. Having a more developed list and descriptions of tools and supplies needed would be helpful, especially if it were located at the front of the book rather than the back. As for materials for individual projects, I noticed at least one where there were items listed that were never used in the step-by-step instructions. This wouldn't be a big deal unless you were to go out and purchase glass beads just to find out they aren't necessary.
I would recommend this for someone who has some experience with paper projects. It can be a bit confusing at times for a beginner. It's definitely good for some inspiration even if the jewelry does lean more toward artistic than practical.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing a copy of this book that I chose to honestly review.
Most of the directions seem pretty straightforward, but there were times when they were too simplistic and vague. Having a more developed list and descriptions of tools and supplies needed would be helpful, especially if it were located at the front of the book rather than the back. As for materials for individual projects, I noticed at least one where there were items listed that were never used in the step-by-step instructions. This wouldn't be a big deal unless you were to go out and purchase glass beads just to find out they aren't necessary.
I would recommend this for someone who has some experience with paper projects. It can be a bit confusing at times for a beginner. It's definitely good for some inspiration even if the jewelry does lean more toward artistic than practical.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing a copy of this book that I chose to honestly review.
April 7, 2017
Part of my weekend ritual involves removing the myriad of leaflets, flyers and other promotional stuff that keep getting stuffed into our newspaper. By the time I’m finished I’ll have half filled the litter bin. Fortunately our local council has a weekly collection so the rubbish gets recycled rather than being dumped in a landfill site. Now if I was Barbara Baumann I wouldn’t discard all this paper but would turn it into something more decorative – like bracelets and necklaces.
In the forward to Paper Jewellery: 55 Projects for Reusing Paper Baumann makes the valid point that every day we discard scores of pieces of paper of all kinds which with a little bit of creativity and effort could be given a new life. She sets out to demonstrate this with instructions for a range of projects using everything from beer mats and kitchen paper to candy wrappings and maps.
On a normal day you might see more than 50 different types of paper and cardboard. All of these have the potential to be turned into something more beautiful than manufactured objects, particularly for people who value individuality.
I was hoping this book would show me how to make necklaces like one I bought from a craft market in South Africa a few years ago which was constructed from large safety pins and beads made from paper. Or would be as imaginative a use of waste paper as the women of the T Bag company, a collective just outside Cape Town which removes the leaves from T Bags and then decorates the paper envelopes, using them to adorn greetings cards, coasters and bags. If you don’t believe how beautiful thee can be, just take a look at their website: http://www.tbagdesigns.co.za/shop/
There were a few designs that looked attractive providing I had the patience and time to spend making tiny beads and then stringing them. I liked the idea also of revitalising pages from old books into swirls which could then form a bracelet or making drop earrings from which mini books dangle. But I drew the line at many of the projects – a bangle made by creating a hole in the middle of a beer mat just looked ludicrous – and some didn’t seem very durable. They would also require meticulous attention to detail in many cases – some people might have the ability to cut up old maps into small squares and then fold them several times so they end up all the same size, but I certainly don’t.
The photography was extremely well done but the instructions were fairly skimpy often. I can imagine embarking on a project only to find myself scratching my head in bewilderment half way through because there are no sketches to show how to fold or roll the paper. In short, the idea is good but the practicality of this book is questionable except for people with oodles of time on their hands.
This review was posted originally at my blog site Booker Talk
In the forward to Paper Jewellery: 55 Projects for Reusing Paper Baumann makes the valid point that every day we discard scores of pieces of paper of all kinds which with a little bit of creativity and effort could be given a new life. She sets out to demonstrate this with instructions for a range of projects using everything from beer mats and kitchen paper to candy wrappings and maps.
On a normal day you might see more than 50 different types of paper and cardboard. All of these have the potential to be turned into something more beautiful than manufactured objects, particularly for people who value individuality.
I was hoping this book would show me how to make necklaces like one I bought from a craft market in South Africa a few years ago which was constructed from large safety pins and beads made from paper. Or would be as imaginative a use of waste paper as the women of the T Bag company, a collective just outside Cape Town which removes the leaves from T Bags and then decorates the paper envelopes, using them to adorn greetings cards, coasters and bags. If you don’t believe how beautiful thee can be, just take a look at their website: http://www.tbagdesigns.co.za/shop/
There were a few designs that looked attractive providing I had the patience and time to spend making tiny beads and then stringing them. I liked the idea also of revitalising pages from old books into swirls which could then form a bracelet or making drop earrings from which mini books dangle. But I drew the line at many of the projects – a bangle made by creating a hole in the middle of a beer mat just looked ludicrous – and some didn’t seem very durable. They would also require meticulous attention to detail in many cases – some people might have the ability to cut up old maps into small squares and then fold them several times so they end up all the same size, but I certainly don’t.
The photography was extremely well done but the instructions were fairly skimpy often. I can imagine embarking on a project only to find myself scratching my head in bewilderment half way through because there are no sketches to show how to fold or roll the paper. In short, the idea is good but the practicality of this book is questionable except for people with oodles of time on their hands.
This review was posted originally at my blog site Booker Talk
September 12, 2015
SUMMARY: This books give the ins and outs of making jewelry from recycled paper. The author shows you how to get familiar with different types of paper and how to work with it. She includes 55 projects ranging from necklaces and bracelets to barrettes and earrings. The back includes tools and supplies you might use as well as a glossary of paper techniques. The book is fully illustrated with photographs and step by step instructions. It is translated from German.
REVIEW: I would call this book a beginner's guide to making jewelry from paper. Some of the projects were quite nice (these were the harder to accomplish ones), but most of them looked exactly like they were--jewelry made from recycled paper. A child might wear them, but not an adult. In some cases the instructions were slightly lacking. More steps could have been included for easier use.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Ages junior high and up
NOTE: I received a free ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My reviews are always 100% honest based on preset criteria.
REVIEW: I would call this book a beginner's guide to making jewelry from paper. Some of the projects were quite nice (these were the harder to accomplish ones), but most of them looked exactly like they were--jewelry made from recycled paper. A child might wear them, but not an adult. In some cases the instructions were slightly lacking. More steps could have been included for easier use.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Ages junior high and up
NOTE: I received a free ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My reviews are always 100% honest based on preset criteria.
July 14, 2015
This really could be a nice book for teachers and/or parents trying to teach children some new ideas about papers (but beware when working with scissors or needle!)
I think kids (especially younger) could love the ideas.
But, from a perspective of a grown woman I don´t think the jewels presented here are wearable. So think more fun than the real and lasting handmade.
The ideas used are quite common, none of them is especially innovative. On the other hand, they are quite approachable, you don´t need any fancy or expensive equipment.
Book contains a lot of fancy pictures of paper jewels, but unfortunately the descriptions are quite vague and difficult to follow, if you are not at least a bit skilled in handmade skills. I would prefer more detailed and pictured (preferably step-by-step) instructions.
I think kids (especially younger) could love the ideas.
But, from a perspective of a grown woman I don´t think the jewels presented here are wearable. So think more fun than the real and lasting handmade.
The ideas used are quite common, none of them is especially innovative. On the other hand, they are quite approachable, you don´t need any fancy or expensive equipment.
Book contains a lot of fancy pictures of paper jewels, but unfortunately the descriptions are quite vague and difficult to follow, if you are not at least a bit skilled in handmade skills. I would prefer more detailed and pictured (preferably step-by-step) instructions.
September 27, 2015
I'm a homemade book binder so I end up with loads of scraps of nice papers. I was really looking forward to this book and getting some ideas of how to use them. Unfortunately, while the ideas were intriguing and the photography done well, I didn't really get anything from this book. Many of the final projects were...rough? like something worn by a child? bulky? not at all durable? I tried one of the intriguing folding necklaces and it was a steep learning curve to figuring out exactly how this folded and stayed together. Was this due to a lack of skill on my part? I like to doubt that.
Also, 'Japanese knife' is not the name of the tool in English. Box cutter, xacto knife, craft knife, hobby knife are all much more recognizable I would expect since when I think of Japanese knives, I think of those super sharp kitchen knives I wish I had.
Also, 'Japanese knife' is not the name of the tool in English. Box cutter, xacto knife, craft knife, hobby knife are all much more recognizable I would expect since when I think of Japanese knives, I think of those super sharp kitchen knives I wish I had.
October 10, 2015
Oh what fun this book is! The author points out that on any given day fifty different types of paper go through our hands. She mentions several, and I'm sure you'll think of more. It may totally change how you look at your”trash” from now on!
Then we are treated to designs using many varieties of paper, as well as candy wrappers, coasters, cards, cardboard, gift wrap, and even cigarette filters! We are provided color photos, patterns, and detailed instructions to make all manner of wearable art.
Some of the designs are rather elegant – my favorite the paper bead necklaces – and others are just plain fun – jigsaw puzzle piece bracelet, anyone? But whatever design catches your eye, be it necklace, bracelet, ring, brooch, barrette, or even belt - you'll never look at paper the same way again.
I received a complementary digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Then we are treated to designs using many varieties of paper, as well as candy wrappers, coasters, cards, cardboard, gift wrap, and even cigarette filters! We are provided color photos, patterns, and detailed instructions to make all manner of wearable art.
Some of the designs are rather elegant – my favorite the paper bead necklaces – and others are just plain fun – jigsaw puzzle piece bracelet, anyone? But whatever design catches your eye, be it necklace, bracelet, ring, brooch, barrette, or even belt - you'll never look at paper the same way again.
I received a complementary digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2015
Interesting projects for a dedicated crafter or jewelry artist to try might be a little advanced for a real jewelry beginner but great for creating something different. Unfortunitly for high cost of the book I don't think I would purchase it because a lot of the projects would be more art then wearable jewelry.This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan
September 5, 2015
I did receive an ebook to review through NetGAlley. This is the type of book I definately desire in hard form. I could sit and page through the ebautiful photos and projects for hours, if I had that much time to relax.
I did attempt a couple of the projects and this book has given me ideas for many others. I can see using different materials or patterns and getting fantastic results.
This book is a wonderful starting off point. Following the great directions and ending up with a nice gift builds confidence and encourage further creativity.
I did attempt a couple of the projects and this book has given me ideas for many others. I can see using different materials or patterns and getting fantastic results.
This book is a wonderful starting off point. Following the great directions and ending up with a nice gift builds confidence and encourage further creativity.
November 27, 2015
This is one of those books that you can absolutely indulge in browsing. I loved how the author explained her personal motivations for working with paper and how you can do so anywhere (even in a caravan on holiday!) with minimal tools. I particularly loved the mini books and the advanced techniques with paper that I would not have thought of myself. This book has definitely got me thinking about everyday recyclable materials and how they can be used in my crafts. Inspiring!
May 10, 2015
Filled with intriguing ideas for paper jewelry and other paper based projects, Paper Jewelry will be a nice resource for artists as well as hobbyists. The book has abundant photos of each project, with tips and alternatives for readers to peruse. The last sections show details about jewelry production, tools, materials, and techniques that will be helpful to experts and beginners alike.
May 27, 2015
While I fear getting the jewelry here wet, the ideas presented are pretty common and not outrageously difficult. The projects shown used very common materials such as, maps, newspapers, etc.
Therefore, projects presented and information provided was ok. Nothing in here blew me away and haunted me to make it.
Therefore, projects presented and information provided was ok. Nothing in here blew me away and haunted me to make it.
September 12, 2015
This is a fabulous book, such great ideas and jewellery that I would not be ashamed to wear anywhere. The projects are well explained and easy to make, reusing paper that would end up into the recycle bin. I particularly like the items made from newspaper and the brooches made from the wallpaper. A book full of ideas with wonderful photos.
May 16, 2015
I was really looking forward to reading and reviewing this book but after reading it unfortunately for me there was not much that I would want to make. It does have some good ideas but overall I was personally quite disappointed.
August 6, 2015
most of these designs are tacky and unwearable
I don't believe I've ever seen a cigarette filter necklace! or the starbucks coffee cuff now turned bracelet...really?
I don't believe I've ever seen a cigarette filter necklace! or the starbucks coffee cuff now turned bracelet...really?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews