Junk Jewelry: 25 Extraordinary Designs to Create from Ordinary Objects

by Jane Eldershaw

Designed to make people look twice, Junk Jewelry ’s beauty lies in featuring otherwise ordinary items in artful, surprising ways. What looks like a metal cuff turns out to be made of safety pins; translucent hoop earrings are actually computer chips; and a drawer pull transforms into a pendant. As the world goes green, there’s never been a better time to pack a visual punch with recycled materials and everyday objects or mementos found in a dresser, at a flea market, or in the attic.

But Junk Jewelry isn’t just about throwing together useless bits without some thought—artist and designer Jane Eldershaw shares prin-ciples for assembling it successfully without sacrificing imagination. You’ll learn how to find inspiration, create aesthetic rhythm, and pull off wearing the pieces with panache.

With a focus on acquiring a visual vocabulary and having fun without spending a lot of money, the 25 projects featured here are perfect for anyone who appreciates thrift-store funkiness and avant-garde fashion.

Hipsters and fashionistas will be pleased to find that Eldershaw also delves into the high-fashion roots of the medium, starting with Coco Chanel all the way up to recent collections by Jeffrey Chow. With step-by-step instructions, tips on finding the best raw materials, and instructional illustrations, Junk Jewelry is both a thoughtful how-to manual and a unique, intellectually satisfying style guide.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Jewellery Making, Jewellery

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2008

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I grabbed this book from the library because the cover intrigued me. But, I should have looked through it first or I wouldn't have brought it home. The font used in this book will give you a headache to read. "Junk Jewelry" is a collection of disjointed ideas. The author asks lots of questions, but doesn't really give you answers back. Many of the suggested projects don't give instructions, just a general idea of what you might could, maybe, if you want to, suggestions. Not too helpful for those who really want to some inspirations. A huge chunk of the book is a collection of blurbs about famous clothing designers but never really ties in how Channel ear rings relate to a plastic whistle on a string (which is actually a suggested item of jewelry in this book.)

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting book but there were many instances when a photo would have been much more effective. Very busy graphic design within the book is often distracting. On a practical matter, there is not even a brief tutorial on how to fashion a basic loop! The cover photo makes me cringe with several floppy loops front and center. Other projects have many parts that are sweater catches and very pokey (Flower Scour Power, Champagne Top Necklace). That said, there are lots of fun projects of creative re-use, my favorites reused buttons.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Goodreads description of this book is pretty much dead on. I enjoyed reading about famous jewelry artists who introduced "junk" jewelry into our world.
I've been making jewelry from found objects and repurposing jewelry for over 10 years. I liked Part 2 Conceptualizing. It was a refresher course because as makers we can get in a rut and miss the fun of new creation ideas.
The projects were mild for a experienced maker and might be a challenge to a maker unfamiliar with the tools we jewelry makers use.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

For something so visual (jewelry how-to), it was lacking photos. Liked the background information, but some of the projects were gross (binder necklace).

[Punk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Crafts. Some practical advice regarding tools and materials, a little history on surrealism and found object jewelry, and twenty-five designs based on stuff you might find in your junk drawer.

Many of the project ideas in here seem childish or cheap or painful. Who wants to wear a choker made of binder clips? That has to be pretty scratchy. I did like the safety pin cuff; it looks really cool, but I'm afraid it might have too many rough edges to be comfortable.

Two stars. I liked reading about surrealism in fashion, but mostly this book gives you permission to make jewelry out of forks and Necco wafers. Just give yourself permission and save the time.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked the concept of this book which focused more on design elements than replicating exact designs.

of the examples included, I liked the use of a drawer handle as a necklace pendant and use of chain pieces (like the earrings I made but strung on a necklace). I also thought the tutorial on fabric "beads" was useful as I've seen many in stores but hadn't quite cracked the mystery of how to make them. I like the presented designs for multiple wire loops connected by beads and safety pin cuff.

[Heidi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library because the title and cover intrigued me. I see wonderful handmade jewelry on etsy and on blogs and have been itching to try it myself, so I thought this might have some good ideas. What it had was a confusing, cluttered layout that was difficult to get through and pictures of the UGLIEST projects ever! I'm all for incorporating found objects and a bit of the unexpected, but this was just ridiculous. Yuck.

[Barb Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

The projects in this book aren't all that great BUT the information is interesting. The author mentions a lot of famous designers and interesting items they've contructed. I really wish she would have explored this further, and included photographs. It's for the text that I'm giving this three stars. The other review here is correct, the projects are a one.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic introduction to jewelry making, using cheap or free materials. It's fun and funky, and doesn't take itself too seriously. There's not quite enough instruction for a rank beginner. It's a fun read, but not really a reference. It's probably better to borrow from the library than to purchase.