Custom Cool Jewelry: Create 2+ Personalized Pendants, Charms, and Clasps

by Melinda Barta

Common craft supplies find new purpose with the stunning, nontraditional jewelry designs in this guidebook. Basics items such as embossing powder, collage paper, wire, fiber, and fabric can be used to create one-of-a-kind, boutique-style pieces with a personal twist. From romantic wire-worked dangles and simple polymer clay beads to fabric charms and baked bead collages, the unconventional use of basic supplies provide a wealth of new possibilities for crafters. Each project component is shown in a number of color and design variations, inspiring readers to create their own jewelry pieces, and sidebars share insider tips, basic stringing and wirework techniques, and project and shopping resources.

Genres: Crafts, Jewellery, Nonfiction, Art, Jewellery Making, Beading

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a fun book! i really wanted to get into making pendants with clay, and this book has all the detailed instructions and neat examples. there are also so many other cool things in here, like using rub-ons on metal charms and using wire and beads to dress up clasps. i highly recommend this to anyone who wants something different and fun and not like everything else you see in most bead books.

[Wendi WDM · Rating 5 out of 5]

mmmm....I love this book and it's super over-due to the library. i guess i need to take it back. it just has some really fabulous and creative ideas for creating new pieces. excellent book for anyone who's into making jewelry.

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for inspiration but if you aren't a very confident or experienced crafter this will leave you in the lurch. Lots of projects and ideas but instruction is thin. There are many photos of finished projects but no photos and few illustrations of the how-to steps to get to the finish! The range of techniques and materials covered is vast - from fabric to resin, polymer clay and photo transfer - but the depth of information is not so. But, LOTS to look at and gain inspiration from here.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! If you're looking for mixed media jewelry that's really cool, then get this book! The pictures are clear and plentiful, vibrant, and inspiring. Great photography, kudos to the photographer for doing such a fantastic job with the pics in this book. The eye will be pleased...As for the projects, they're an eclectic array of pieces, using many kinds of media, from polymer clay to shrink plastic and so much in between. You get a great bang for your buck with this one, it's filled with 200+ ideas that you can make independently with traditional jewelry techniques such as stringing or wirework! Or you can come up with your own version of the artist's creations. Another great thing; the techniques and projects are not that difficult, although an inexperienced jewelry maker may find them challenging, they're still doable for most crafty people.
If you're an artisan that enjoys thinking outside the box, this will only motivate you more. I tend to eclectic in my tastes (hence my store name-eclecticajewelry) and I find myself wanting to make my own version of every technique taught, I couldn't and still can't decide which to do first!! There are many very talented mixed media artists out there....Sherri Haab, Lisa Pavelka, Tammy Powely, etc. Melinda Barta is gifted and definitely deserves recognition for her own contribution to the art of mixed media jewelry! 5*****

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Custom Cool Jewelry by Melinda Barta helps you to create 200+ personalized pendants, charms & clasps. Part of my Christmas present from the lovely Miss Jamie Hogsett was a copy of this wonderful new book. Custom Cool Jewelry was published in 2008 and I first saw it at the Philly Beadfest, along with author Melinda Barta. I was very excited when I received my very own copy and have enjoyed thumbing through the pages and getting inspired at my bead table. I enjoy the intricate details in her work.

From the back cover: "Create unique, handcrafted, boutique-style jewelry with a personalized twist with Custom Cool Jewelry. All you need are a few easy-to-find craft materials and voila! You'll have made to order, affordable, eye-catching alternatives to store-bought jewelry."

Inside learn to:

*bake bead collages with resin in the oven
*emboss antique playing cards
*roll up polymer clay for one-of-a-kind results
*stamp & stitch fabric focal pieces
*wire-wrap to your heart's content & more!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never thought that shrinky dinks (from my childhood) could make really cool jewelry but this book shows many cool examples, plus some great fabric pendants using stamps and ribbon. I love the mini creations! Great inspiration for jewelry or craft enthusiasts.

Custom Cool Jewelry

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some really cute and charming ideas in this book. I am looking forward to putting my own twist on them and creating some interesting new jewelry.

[Misty]

great bracelet ideas!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this book out from the library, but I wish I owned it. Several great ideas and a helpful glossary for beginners.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of amazing ideas. Want to give this book as a gift and try out for myself.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of easy new ideas that I haven't seen a million times.

[Bliss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite my cup of tea but interesting.

Great photos, lovely pieces, cool ideas.