Hardwear: Jewelry from a Toolbox

by Hannah Rogge

There is a new population of crafters out independent, innovative, and fearless, they thrive on making something out of nothing and are far more interested in showing off their style than their money. Their spirit of do-it-yourself iconoclasm is perfectly captured in Hardwear, a fascinating new book by industrial designer Hannah Rogge that presents 24 striking, easy-to-make pieces of jewelry fashioned from nuts and metal washers, S hooks and O rings, rubber sheeting and rubber tubing, and other inexpensive, readily available hardware.

Most of the projects for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings featured in this unique and unexpected book can be completed in just a few hours, and all of them can be made on a minimal budget. The book is divided, like the aisles of a hardware store, into chapters according to the particular pieces of hardware employed. And lest readers confuse Hardwear with any other craft book on the shelf, its rectangular shape and metallic cover resemble the geometric structure and hard casing of an actual toolbox. Hardwear is sure to inspire crafters everywhere to view their local hardware store in an entirely new light.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Jewellery, Reference, Jewellery Making

138 pages, Spiral-bound

First published May 1, 2006

Reviews

[Ligaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some okay projects in here, but definitely for beginners. Great design and organization of the book, spiral bound with chapters tab-divided. Plenty of illustrations and photos. I just wish the projects were more sophisticated.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reference book for project ideas. An unintentional nod to the crust & cyberpunk subcultures.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Were I a teenaged girl, I'd be all over this book. Even at thirty-something I'm tempted by several of the projects. Sure, the instructions are terribly oversimplified, and a few of the projects are clunkers (you want me to make an electrical tape bracelet? on purpose?), but several are quirky and elegant, like the hex-nut necklace featured on the cover, or the S-hook bracelet with copper accents.

Worth flipping through if only to spark ideas the next time you're in your local hardware store.

[Mon · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of few metalsmithing books I had to return because of the lack of imagination in jewellery design. The projects were clearly targeted to people who do not know anything about metalsmithing and wanted a project book to pass the time. Great idea for mother-daughter bonding etc.
But I have to say kudos to the book designer I'm sure it save this book a lot, the pages are arrange attractively and the structure is well organize. very beautiful pictures too.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like buying a lot of fruit that I don't necessarily eat I like having a lot of craft books even if I don't ever do all the projects. I really love the jewelry in this book, I just don't have any of the materials around the house. It's all made from stuff you'd find at the hardware store & is really funky and original looking.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I think the projects that are in it will give plenty of ideas to the teens to make their own stuff. The idea that you can make jewelry with nuts and washers is fantastic. You are using something that can be purchased very inexpensively and repurposed for something else.

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides]

Saw this in a HPB once; didn't end up picking it up. Had good advice for making sure that the hardware store components were used safely. (Some of the metals are not good things to have in contact with your skin.)

[Maura Alia Badji · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource if you're interested in making low-cost, off-beat jewelry/accessories with a minimalist/industrial feel and/or learning how to do "cold connections" rather than welding or soldering metals.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun! cant wait to get crankin'.