crystaljewelry

Many of my bead-related crystal jewelry projects often incorporate crystals. Who doesn't love a little instant sparkle added to her jewelry designs? Two bead lovers got together, though, and decided to make their book all about the crystal. Create crystal jewelry: Dazzling Designs to Make and Wear (published by Interweave Press $22.95 US; $28.95 CAN) by Marlene Blessing and Jamie Hogsett focuses on the brillance of Crystal bracelet beads.

The first thing I noticed when looking at the projects in this book was the fact that they were not all bead stringing type projects. There are bead stringing projects; for example, an early "wow!" piece in the book is the Arabian Nights necklace, a multi-strand jewelry piece made with dark purple crystals in various shapes and finished off with a toggle clasp. However. there were a surprising number of bead weaving projects where stitches like peyote or brick were used with smaller seed beads and crystals. The uninitiated to bead weaving might find a few projects a tad challenging, but there are still some projects for the beginner, such as the Catch a Falling Star earrings which combine fringe technique with seed beads and crystals and end with a beautiful crystal starfish.

Tucked here and there among the 20 jewelry projects are tid bits of crystal info. Did you know that the dress Marilyn Monroe wore during her Happy Birthday song to the President had 6,000 Swarovski crystals attached to it? Jewelry makers who have been looking for alternatives to basic bead weaving work, will enjoy the incorporation of the crystals, and while I would not suggest this as a book to learn how to bead weave by, there are a number of simpler projects as well as bead stringing jewelry pieces to make and enjoy as well.