Ever since I started to work full time this year, I have lost my mojo to create jewelry collections. Other than the knicks knacks I have been making for myself, I havent really done much (excepting a very small collection of leather and paper necklaces coming your way real soon).
The main reason for this slack, as per my self realisation is that I dont know what to do next. This was until I chanced upon some books on jewelry in my college library and I was transported to a whole new world that I never knew existed. One book that made such an impact on me was – Fabulous Woven Jewelry by Mary Hettmansperger.
About the Author
Mary is a fiber artist who studied arts at the Indiana university and took a liking to making baskets. Exhibitions of her baskets slowly led her to experimenting with jewelry combining fiber and metal to create one of a kind pieces. In this book, she takes her readers on a journey – starting with her roots, through the materials she loves and uses; to the ideas that led to the creation of some of her unique products. Her work is couture, leaning towards Avant Garde but it is also a good example how such avant garde ideas and techniques can be used to create unique wearable pieces. Do check out Mary Hettmansperger work at her site
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| Materials Page |
Chapters
The book is divided into 8 chapters, with one chapter each on Plaiting, Twining, Looping, Knotting and Coiling. It begins with 2 detailed chapters on materials, tools and equipments detailing the kind of materials that are generally used in both basketry (like reed, raffia, black ash) and in jewelry making (like beads, wire and found objects). She also includes cord, thread and sheet metal in her description. Her tools section examine the different tools that it required to create these one of a kind pieces. Most tools recommended are basic, easy to find and inexpensive – something that we would already have in our tool box. Though this book is aimed at intermediate to expert jewelry makers, the first two chapters make it easy for beginners and amateurs to get into the groove.
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| Variations of the projects listed |
Who is this book for
Before I go into the details of projects listed in this book, I feel that I should answer a very important question – Who is this book for? In my opinion this book is for 3 types of people
1. Fine art or design students – who are looking for not just inspiration but also new techniques to explore
2. Mixed media jewelry or exhibition artists who are looking to add new skills to their repertoire and people like me who are asking – “What’s next?”
3. Textile or fiber artists who want to transition to making jewelry
This book is not meant for people who want to sell every piece they make and thereby want simple and easy to make and easy to sell ideas as these projects are very different and might not be accepted or worn by the traditional audience. This book, in my humble opinion is also not meant for people who have a difficult time translating abstract concepts but for those who could adapt alternate techniques to suit their needs
The reason I am stating this clearly is that I found many negative reviews for this book on various online book sites but I really liked it and was kind of surprised at those reviews. Yes the title could be misleading – the book is not about woven jewelry alone and it also has basketry projects. That’s when I understood that the book is targeted at a niche and is not for mass acceptance.
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| My favourite projects from the book |
So why do I like this book?
– There are a wide variety of techniques used, some I am aware of and some very new to me which is super exciting.
– The book has both figures and photographs in the tutorials which is a huge plus for, I simply cant understand figures and I know many people prefer them to photographs
– She gives us many variations of one technique showcasing different takes on the same process
– The last chapter of the book showcases a gallery of stunning pieces that are very inspirational
– Last but not the least Mary not only shows us beginning techniques but also how to finish pieces and end cords that so many tutorials miss out on
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| Gallery Page |
Book Details
Title: Fabulous Woven Jewelry: Plaiting, Coiling, Knotting, Looping & Twining with Fiber & Metal
Author: Mary Hettmansperger
Publisher: Lark Books NC
Publication date: 1/28/2006
Editor: Katherine Duncan Aimone
Copyright : Mary Hettmansperger and Lark Books
Conclusion
Summing up, This is not a new book, its been around for a while but it gives a very interesting take on what jewelry is. I highly recommend it to people who are interested in working with a range of materials and incorporating new techniques in their work. My only issue with the book is that its available at vastly different prices online (from $18 to $250) that makes me question my sanity. If you happen to find it in a book store or a website like Amazon with a good price grab it with both hands. I also recommend that you follow Fabulous Woven Jewelry book with Jewellery Using Textiles Techniques by Sarah Keay
This being my first Book review on this blog, I wasnt really sure what designs or how many designs to showcase from the book.I hope that it gave a good idea of the book. I apologise for the pictures as I didnt know that my scanner was this bad. Do tell me if you like such reviews and the kind of books that you would like me to review. Also if you are a book writer/ publisher/ artist and would like me to review your book, do contact me for I would be really interested in it.
I hope you find it interesting
Cheers
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