You guys worked hard on sending me your faves and filling my ears with why you are so attached to certain volumes/and/or publications.
I am really greatful for your insights! And, I was surprised at how many of the titles you mentioned are already in *my* library. In fact.....almost all of them were.
There's a book list on my website that REALLY needs updating. I still love all those books on that list!
But if I'm being honest, my book list right-now-today would look like this (and not in any special order, fave to less fave---just all books I've taken down repeatedly in the last few months, or just purchased and have trouble putting away!):
1. The Jewelry Architect by Kate McKinnon I reviewed this book at Jewelry Making Outside the Box. There's a DVD with it, which is really a lot like getting a free class with Kate. A plus. AND:
I love her philosophy: let's make jewelry that endures, not just for a few years, but for lifetimes...yes, lifetime(S), plural. Kate's methods show you how. Not sure I will ever be this precise, but it is important to review how to do things the right way.
2. Metal Discovery Workshop by Linda and Opie O'Brien. Learn how to do it safely and think outside the box, all at the same time. I love these guys and they know I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now, had I not met them. You can get a copy of this book at their Etsy, Burnt Offerings. It's so great, that it's out of print.
3. Making Connections by Susan Lenhart Kazmer. I love Susan, I love what she does, I love her work. She is about jewelry making joy.....and the reason why I love ICE resin.
4. Explore, Create, Resinate by Jen Cushman. Ditto all the above. If you have resin fear, get this book and get over it once and for all.
5. Surface Treatment Workshop by Darlene Oliver McElroy and Sandra Duran Wilson. I can't put this thing away. It appeals to everything I was doing 20 years ago, that no one understood. "Why are you putting glue and gesso on on that watercolor paper, Brenda? Why are you putting resin over it? Why are you squiggling puff paints all over that canvas, and then making lines in it with a stick, then throwing glitter, beads and seeds int0 it?"......well. All I can say is, the answer is in this book.
6. Making Bits and Pieces Mosaics by Marlene Marshall no it's not about jewelry making but really quite wonderful
7. The New Clay by Nan Roche this book has been out forever but it turned me on to amazing possibilities......
8. Warman's Jewelry ALL EDITIONS. Whether edited by Christie Romero (and I am so glad I have a signed copy, as Christie has passed, now) or Kathy Flood, the inspiration you will get for your 21st century designs can always be edified by paying attention to the great stuff of designers before us.
AMEN.
9. Miriam Haskell Jewelry by Sheila Pamfiloff and Cathy Gordon There is no definitive book on making cagework jewelry---yet. Honestly, you can learn from taking pieces apart, using the brain the Good Lord gave you, and going for it. Can you embroider? Do you have an imagination? Do you see what's going on these pieces? Get the book, study it. After that, it's a matter of a spool of 28 ga goldplated wire, some cool old beads, a great focal, and some Russian Goldplated filigree (found at B'sue Boutiques). It's really cool to learn all about this historic jewelry design company. YOU SHOULD.
10. The Jewelry of Miriam Haskell by Deanna Farneti Cera out of print but sometimes you can find a copy by interlibrary loan, or at Ebay for sale. If you find one at Ebay, be ready to pay. LOL
11. Thomas Mann/Metal Artist speaking of doing things the right way.....the techniques are very precise, a little tedious for someone like me who doesn't have this sort of background. But you HAVE to admire the ability, the vision, the precision. Eye Candy.
12. Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop by Mary Hettmansperger. Mary's work never ceases to amaze me and I love her book, you should get a copy soon if you don't have one.
13. Bisuteria by Christa Nolling and Kyra Stempel I think this is a Spanish language translation but so grateful for my Spanish language jewelry making books so NOW I know the words for the findings I sell. It helps when you have to re-write an invoice to send to South America, LOL.
14. The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making by Tammy Powley. YOU NEED THIS BOOK, especially if you are newer to jewelry making. Or not. Just go get one.
15. Compendium of Curiosities by Tim Holtz I love the surface decoration techniques and the paper stuff that easily applies to metal stuff.....we carry a lot of Tim's brand at B'sue Boutiques and really pleased to. So versatile!
16. Paper Bouquet by Susan Tierney Cockburn Learn how to make your own paper flowers. Soon we will be coaching you on how to RESIN them!
17. Upcycled Jewelry by Sherri Haab.....just got this one....can't seem to make myself put it away. Dunno if I would do this much upcycling, but it sure is fun to consider the options. Definitely worth the money to purchase a copy.
18. Stringing Style by Jamie Hogsett, an older volume now but one I take off the shelf over and over again.
19. Bijoux by Deana Farneti Cera. Eye candy. Inspiration. New Ideas from older pieces. Must have it.
20. Bead on a Wire by Sharilynn Miller. A Classic. 'Nuff said.
21. Semiprecious Salvage by Stephanie Lee This is a concept book as well as a teaching book, same as is Cynthia Thornton's Enchanted Treasures. Very, very clever. And useful, too!
22. French General Treasured Notions by Kaari Meng. Basicly the story of Tinsel Trading in NYC and featuring projects with stuff like they carry....which I also carry at B'sue Boutiques
23. French Inspired Jewelry by Kaari Meng, more of the above, mostly visual inspiration...but when I look at my copy, it makes me dream....and plan. What more could you ask from a book?
24. The Best Little Beading Book by Wendy Simpson Connor. I wouldn't know how to do the first thing if I hadn't bought this book a long, long time ago. That is, with stringing beads. Not that I know how to do so much, I just know what I know! Then, I read the book, learned some more and made the rest up.
And that's how it goes today.....today we DO make it up. And it's so great that now, it's okay!
I love the naive, loose, organic, almost designer-crude style that has become so vogue right now.
Yes, it's a grand thing if we've had the liberty and opportunity to attend professional jewelers' school, or the chance to travel to many classes or artist retreats....or live near a studio, and are able to visit with a teacher regularly. The fact is, most haven't, most don't, many cannot afford it.
If that's YOU....don't think you can't do it. Don't think, oh I will never be that good. Cut that out RIGHT NOW.
Case in point: I know a young designer who only a few years ago, had virtually no training. She played with paper clips, safety pins and wire. She bent metal, put holes in it, applied paint to it. No one taught her. She had no idea, was it right, was it wrong? She didn't care. It was play to her, and the process fed her soul. Kind of like me with the glue and the gesso and the resin, 20 years ago.
SHE JUST DOES IT. It goes this way:
She sees a need for a part, she figures it out. She hits a wall, she goes around it. She doesn't know how, okay, so she doesn't worry. That doesn't mean she's no good, can't do it. She gets some books, goes to You Tube, watches the videos. She sees a picture, she thinks, she tries, she learns.
I think that's the best way to be.
As for me, and my writing a book: I can only tell you what it will NOT be. It will not be more dark metal, hammering, grunging, Steampunk.
HEY! I love Steampunk. And I think it's here to stay.
I like gears, cogs and wheels too. Our newest plating shade is Rusty Black, sheesh.
But how about Rusty Black with PINK....shocking pink, off the wall, unexpected....like early Elsa Schiaparelli? How about novelty charms we make ourselves that look like the old bakelite whimsy?
How about some history---American POP culture history, American ART history....with a little European thrown in the mix? How about some funky GLAM, GLITZ....a little Boho-retro with new mixed media vibe?
It's time for something lively, free, colorful, happy. Different.
Let's see what happens.