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These are just a few of my own personal favorites, from my own bookshelves. Most are easily found online or at stores like Barnes and Noble. A few are out of print, but if you inquire at your local library, perhaps a copy can be obtained via inter-library loan. It's worth the effort! These are books I read and re-read again. I'll add to the list as time goes on.
1. Fabulous Jewelry from Found Objects by Marthe Le Van, Lark Books
You'll find one of my very own projects, Lost Earrings Bib, in this volume.
2. Metal Craft Discovery Workshop by Linda and Opie O'Brien
Discussion of tools you need, novel techniques and lots of eye candy!
3. Collage Lost and Found: Creating Unique Projects with Vintage Ephemera by Giuseppa "Josie" Cirincione
Unique ways with old photographs and images, bibs and bobs, charms
4. Mixed Media Collage Jewelry by Janette Schuster
Outsider art jewelry to influence you, including works by Thomas Mann
5. Popular Jewelry 1840-1940 by Roseanne Ettinger.
This one may be out of print, but worth locating a copy at your local library. It's great for those who think manipulating filigree is a new thing. (It's not, check out all the great Czech and West German jewelry and how the filigree and stampings are applied. Some of these stampings are still made today, too!)
6. Pretty Little Things by Sally Jean Alexander
Images under glass with soldered edges, including all the how-to's as well as a look at Sally Jean's workshop.
7. Miriam Haskell Jewelry by Cathy Gordon and Sheila Pamfiloff
The definitive volume on the most fabulous cagework jewelry of all time.
8. The Jewels of Miriam Haskell by DeAnna Farneti Cera
This one *may* be out of print, but it's so loaded with eye candy, you MUST find a copy somewhere. There might even be one for sale on Ebay! Bid, baby!
9. Amazing Gems by DeAnna Farneti Cera
Also may be out of print, but the name is not hype. Some of the rarest, most imaginative collectable pieces of the 20th century are featured. Great for inspiration.
10. Jewelry Concepts and Technology by Oppi Untracht
This is a serious volume for serious bench jewelry makers. It's a big, fat book and it's expensive. You might say, I just want to do some beading or some collage, why would this be for me? Well......it's one of the first books I ever bought, it just expanded my horizons. Even if you never intend to be a bench jeweller, you should know what it's about. This volume also includes a BUNCH of history. Worth the money.
11. The Bakelite Book by Corinne Davidov and Ginny Reddington Dawes
Here's the first serious book written on collecting bakelite jewelry. Though many have surfaced since, to my mind this one's got the best eye candy. If it's out of print, I'm certain your local library can get you a copy to read. If you work in polymer clay, it will give you a bunch of ideas!
12. 1,000 Jewelry Inspirations: Beads, Baubles, Dangles and Chains By Sandra Salomon
You might even recognize some of the components used in the jewelry displayed in this book. ESSENTIAL for anyone who wants to make jewelry from the sort of components we sell here at B'sue Boutiques. Just a bunch of FUN!
13. The Crafter's Guide to Glues by Tammy Young
A discussion of the varying types of glues on the market, which might work best for you and how to be safe while working with glue.
14. Rubber Stamped Jewelry by Sharilyn Miller, editor of Somerset Studio and Belle Armoire
Need I say more? Any Somerset Studio (Stampington) publication is a worthy purchase and should be on your bookshelf.
15. Creative Ways with Polymer Clay by Dotty McMillan
There are many books written on polymer clay and its use in jewelry making, but this one just struck a chord with me. I love the projects and the photography.
16. Bead on a Wire by Sharilyn Miller
Versatile concepts and techniques, easy to learn with a little practice, practical advice offered as well. Everyone should have a copy.
17. Semiprecious Salvage by Stephanie Lee
More innovative ways with found items, includes information on resin inlay.
18. The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight.
The definitive volume on bench techniques by the definitive teacher of the craft. I'm pretty sure you can find this in VHS or DVD form, too...so much the better.
19. The Art and Craft of Jewelry by Janet Fitch.
Quite possibly out of print. For a long time this was virtually the only book that even approached outsider jewelry art or found item assemblage. Early works by John Wind of Maximal Art are discussed.
20. ANY EDITION of Warman's Jewelry by Christie Romero
I say any, because it's worth having all of them! If you are curious about vintage jewelry or want to be nurtured by knowing about the different collectable types, you want to read these FOR SURE.
21. Altered Curiosities by Jane Ann Wynn.
There is section in this book about how to make a viable jewelry component by placing a toy or other found object in a mold (in other words how to cast in resin with a mold). Very innovative, the book is worth its cost just for that information.
22. Shocking Life by Elsa Schiaparelli
This is definitely out of print. I found my copy many years ago at a library sale. Elsa Schiaparelli was a fashion and jewelry designer who began her work in the early 20th century. Her scarves, hats, clothing and jewelry are today extremely desirable and collectable. She lived her life 'out loud'. An interesting read, she was a huge player in high-end costume jewelry of the 30's-60's. See if you can't get a copy on Ebay or by interlibrary loan.
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MAGAZINES: I won't be without these!
Belle Armoire
Belle Jewelry
Somerset Studio
Bead and Button Magazine
BeadStyle Magazine
Jewelry Crafts Magazine
Vogue (for new trends and new designers)
In Style (for new trends and new designers)
NEWSLETTERS and NEWSGROUPS
VFCJ is the world's foremost collecting club for vintage costume jewelry. Headed by my dear friend Lucille Tempesta, its newsletters come out quarterly and are non-plussed in the industry. VFCJ members are the world's best jewelry detectives: they've unearthed the beginnings of many jewelry designers of the 20th century, explored every genre. VFCJ keeps the art of collecting and understanding costume jewelry ALIVE. All the information presented is completely researched and reliable. Contact Lucille at VFCJ@aol.com on how you can subscribe and become a member!
JEWELCOLLECT is the premier discussion forum for collectors of vintage and designer jewelry online. Contact my friend Isabelle Bryman for information on how you can participate! lizbryman@lizjewel.com
Do you have favorites you don't see on this list? Let me know about them, perhaps we should add them. Maybe sometime you can be a guest contributor to our Book Report section!
Do you belong to a creative newsgroup we should know about? Do you attend special shows where there are classes and demonstrations? I'd love to hear about them and! I'd love to give them a link on this website. Write me at bsue1441@aol.com and tell me all about them!
Would you like a link on our website? It's free! All I request is a reciprocal link to our website. Write me at bsue1441@aol.com for details!
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