Showcase 500 Rings by Juror Bruce Metcalf

I love Lark Crafts 500 Series - not only because of the sheer number of styles in each new book, but the amazing differences in designs from the different artists. The Showcase 500 Rings (Bruce Metcalf, Juror; ISBN 9781454702887) is no different, and will give any designer ideas for new ways to use different materials. It will also give jewelry aficionados new ideas for shopping.

Stretching the Idea of What a 'Ring' Is

A ring is something to wear on the finger. Right? Technically, but some of the artists in 500 Rings stretch the definition: Christiana Byrne's Engagement Ring: ("The plastic 'diamond' houses a small microphone. When placed over a partner's heart, the microphone picks up the sound of the beat, which is then projected through copper brooches that house two small speakers."); Rachel Timmons' Growth One: (A gigantic glitter foam and resin teardrop piece that is worn on the end of the index finger.); and Sung Yeoul Lee's Extend View: (Two rings worn on the index fingers are attached at the top forming adjustable-width reading glasses.).

My favorites:

• Ring a Day by Alissia Melka-Teichroew: 7 different rings printed on sterling silver or stainless steel. Pick a ring to wear, cut it out from the sheet of metal, file and polish any rough edges, and wear. The remaining cut sheet can be used as wall decoration.
• Play with by Hyunjoo Kim: Miniature dolls crafted from enamel and copper plate. They stand up and can be played with - by any child (or adult) of any age. 
• Catch Me by Sylvie Jousset: 4.5 cm high cactus case inside a ring.
• Thumb War by Sarah Narum: Cowboy Hat vs. Top Hat - wear them with a friend and see who'll win.
• Inter(action) by Joanna Hemsley: Ingenious three-dimensional ring that opens up with the action of putting the ring on, and closes as it is removed.
• Letters from Words - Alphabet Rings by Trudee Hill: Unique rings with a letter. Each letter is very thin (0.2 cm thick) so that you can wear what you want to spell (possible to wear 10 letters or more).
• Edible Sociable Rings by Shelby Ferris Fitzpatrick: Rings with different openings that can be filled with edible dried food. 
• Temple of Athena by Rhonda Faber Green: Being a fan of archaeology and architectural design, the ring with gorgeous white diamond-encrusted stairs leading up to the 18-karat yellow gold pillars ensconcing a rare zultanite gem is breathtaking. Really.

The 341 different jewelers who shared the 500 designs show that even if by definition a ring is something to be worn on the finger, there is no single way to fabricate them.

Book Information:

• Showcase 500 Rings: New Directions in Art Jewelry (500 Series); by Marthe Le Van and Juror Bruce Metcalf.
• Lark Crafts, an imprint of Sterling Publishing; 2012
• ISBN13: 9781454702887
• Paperback with flaps, 420 pages; full color photos

Disclosure: This book was given to the author by the publisher. Any opinions are the author's own.

Renee Shelton.

A Bounty of Bead and Wire Earrings by Nathalie Mornu

If ideas for bead and wire earrings are lacking, and there is a stash of beads at your disposal, then Nathalie Mornu's A Bounty of Bead and Wire Earrings (Lark Jewelry & Beading, 2011) will make a great opening to many design ideas. If the author's name sounds familiar, it is. Mornu is an editor for Lark Jewelry and Beading and co-author of Chains, Chains, Chains (Joanna Gollberg). Other books authored by Mornu include A is for Apron and Leather Jewelry.

Each earring set has movement and the designs range from super sexy (Whisper Drops earrings) to delicate (Pearl Bouquet earrings). But before the projects are presented (50 in all), Mornu's basics goes over everything you need for jewelry making. For beginners, it makes the first projects a little easier and for advance earring makers, it is a superb refresher course. For me, her Bead Types and Shapes section was especially useful.

Large, full color images show details, and the illustrations and helpful photo guides of the work in action are presented with each project. Designers' bios are listed at the back of the book along with their websites for more information. Another good project book from Nathalie Mornu.

Book Information:

• A Bounty of Bead and Wire Earrings: 50 Fun, Fast Jewelry Projects (A Bounty of Bead and Wire Series); by Nathalie Mornu
• Lark Crafts, an imprint of Sterling Publishing; 2011
• ISBN13: 9781454700180
• Softcover, full color, 144 pages

Disclosure: This book was provided to the author by the publisher. Any opinions are the author's own.
Renee Shelton.

Disabled Girls From Bali Create Hand Sewn Barbie Dresses

This story from the Washington Post is about two disabled sisters who help their family by selling hand made Barbie doll clothes. Because they were born with deformed limbs they were shunned by society and had no friends and didn't attend school. They used their imaginations and started designing and creating doll dresses which now help feed the family, and neighbors have begun to accept them.

Renee Shelton.

Masking Tape Dress - Amazing Couture-Craft Work



Image from BurdaStyle.com

If you missed it from the Burda Style site, here's the link to Ester Boller's amazing masking tape dress.

There is an interview with the designer and how she made this dress. She also shares images of her work including her Plastic Bag Dress (turned into a pretty prom dress), Foil Dress, and her Pennies Dress.

Must read from BurdaStyle.com.

Renee Shelton.

Book Finds: Hope Hanley's Needlepoint Books

Lucky me - I found two of Hope Hanley's needlepoint books for 50 cents each at the local Friends of the Library bookstore. While dated, the books show close up what the basic stitches are, and looking through them I recognize why they have been reprinted and collected over the years.

I already had the updated Needlepoint on my crafting bookshelf -1975 version, this one (from 1964) contained several of the previous book owner's notes and papers in it making it a great addition for fifty cents. The updated version is laid out slightly different with additional pictures; both are hardcover and cloth-bound.

And while I have newer needlepoint books in full color, The Craft of Needlepoint (ISBN 068147254, 1977) has all the black and white illustrations large and easy to follow. It is a paperpack in a large 8 1/2 by 11 inch format, with each stitch highlighted on a full page.

If you see these at a rummage sale, garage sale, used book store or swap meet, dive right in and pick them up. They will end up being a great 50-cent helper.

Renee Shelton.

Decoupage with Pattern Tissue Paper

Love this idea! I first read about this from Threads.com, but the idea originated from the blogs Pitter and Glink and Modge Podge Rocks. Here's the idea: take an old piece of furniture (decorative side tables work best) and make it new with your old patterns. Depending on where the pieces will end up, use the patterns accordingly - such as using crafts and kids' patterns for something in the kids room (they will generally have a character's shape to cut out for appliques, etc.)

Here are the links directly to their sites. Now all I need is a visit to the local swap meet for a table for this project.

• Pitter and Glink: Step by step (photos included) of decoupaging a table with tissue paper.
• Modge Podge Rocks! - Step by step how to decoupage a covered box.

If you're looking for other ideas for combining crafts and sewing patterns:

• Here's a tray decorated with sewing patterns
• Here's different fun and colorful collages using old sewing patterns
• Several examples of ways to reuse old sewing patterns in crafts

Renee Shelton.

Director and Playwright of "Biddies" Had the Mosman Embroiderers’ Guild Sew the Props

The name of the play is "Biddies" (Glen Street Theatre, Belrose, Australia) and the director, Don Reid, had the women of the Mosman Embroiderers' Guild sew all the props. The story line (a mixture comedy and 'joyous celebration of women') is about a group of women getting locked inside a classroom while sewing needlepoint cushions. It took the women of the Guild 50 hours to complete all the props, and the play will run from April 11th to the 28th.

Women of the Manor

Renee Shelton.