Make a Statement: 25 Handcrafted Jewelry & Accessory Projects

by Janet Crowther, Katie Covington

Create bold, colorful, one-of-a-kind statement jewelry with this guide from two designers who’ve worked with top brands.   From runways to boutiques, statement jewelry has become the coveted accessory. In Make a Statement, jewelry designers and co-founders of For the Makers Janet Crowther and Katie Covington share their trade secrets for using basic techniques and easy-to-source materials to make stylish jewelry and accessories, from a gold bib necklace and geometric hoop earrings to a classic charm bracelet and elegant shoe clips.   Featuring gorgeous watercolor how-to illustrations, an introduction to the basic tools needed, and helpful information on sourcing high quality, affordable materials, Make a Statement will inspire you to craft the kind of unique pieces that make a statement—and make an outfit.

Genres: Jewellery, Jewellery Making, Nonfiction

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2015

Reviews

[Tim Shepard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

While there are one or two interesting projects in here for the most part everything is extremely easy to do on your own. It also bothered me that more than third of the book is taken up with basic information about materials and simple techniques.

[Fusspot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to give this five stars even though I was disappointed with it. I got it as an ebook from the library, and I was looking forward to sitting down and reading about how to make 25 different statement necklackes... oh. Gluing bows to high heels was not what I had in mind.

THAT SAID, the directions at the front of the book were EXCELLENT. Their overview on bead shapes, cord types, making beads with polymer clay, and a few other things were wonderfully clear little tutorials.

Unfortunately, I can't see myself wearing anything in the book (maybe the Chunky Byzantine Collar? Maaaaaybe?) so I'm glad I got it from the library. Will not read again.

[Minna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful projects, although many of them weren't to my taste. I did bookmark two to try. I think you need a LOT of equipment and supplies to create both of the projects I want to make, and despite reading through them several times, I'm still not all that clear on how to do it. I would hate to ruin a bunch of expensive supplies by fumbling through the instructions but it looks as though I might have to. Here goes nothin'!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The eBooks version of this title could use some formatting help, as it is difficult to compare the photos of materials to the descriptions for the explanatory photos in the book.

Some of the directions are a little confusing, but should get easier with practice. However, tips to try out processes in scrap materials or general helpful tips are also included throughout.

Designs are excellent and of the time, not kiddy or kitschy--and that is difficult to find!

Recommended.

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found many of the pieces looked very cheap and the large photo of inexpensive looking prong-set glass or plastic stones wasn't helping things (p 40-41). Some pieces were attractive, like the Chunky Byzantine Collar, but many were forgettable. I do appreciate that the pieces were photographed on models so you could see scale.

[Crystal Balboni · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some cute projects and pretty pieces but I feel like a lot of them have already be done before and are simple so they don't need much more explanation. It does help to strike some inspiration though. The photographs were beautifully taken.