Junk to Jewelry

by Brenda Schweder and TurtleMe

Be inspired by 32 projects that incorporate facets of everyday life: items from the hardware store, the jewelry box, the sewing basket, even the sportsman's lodge. A stunning gallery will spark your... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0871162482
• ISBN13: 9780871162489
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Kalmbach Books
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 8.5" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

If you love junkin' and jewelry making, you have to get this book!

This resourceful book by Ms. Schweder makes me proud to admit I'm another Junque (as she spells it) Artist. She lets me know I'm not alone in picking up items from the side of the road or walking along looking down to see what treasure I can find. She begins by listing all the tools, glues & finishes, and other materials used to make the projects in the book along with pictures of them. Next, she proceeds to a section on techniques. Then it's time to begin creating some really awesome unique jewelry. There are 31 projects from a piece called Biker Chic(k), a necklace made of an old bicycle chain and bicone and pendant Swarorski crystals (it made me stop my husband from tossing out an old rusty bike until I could get the chain off) to a watch bracelet called the Stroke of Midnight. It made me envious when I saw the very same Cinderella watch I'd had as a girl and wished I still did. She says her watch no longer worked so she removed the band and replaced it with layers of different ribbons she stitched together. Then she stitched a variety of charms onto the new band. She also removes the watch crystal and put tiny crystals and charms inside and then glued it back on. Another wonderfully inventive piece is called Stay Connected, a necklace made from colorful data wire and air line tubing complete with wire flower charm. I remember using this versatile clear tubing back in the `80's and it makes me want to play with it again. If you're a junquer you can't be without this book. Even if you're not, you should give it a read, it might turn you into one. Gayla Crosby

From J. Kaye's Book Blog

When it comes to crafts books, I can't get enough. I love-love-love them. The bad part is I'm not as good as I'd like to be. The instructions have to be very simple for me to grasp and I need lots of pictures. My daughter has taken after me in this and making jewelry is her thing. She's way better at it than I am. Because of her age, she needs easy-to-follow instructions. You could say we both do. So when I had an opportunity to review "Junk to Jewelry: A Step-by-step Guide to Using Found Objects in Jewelry You Can Actually Wear" by Brenda Scheweder, I jumped at it. I was amazed to see how many photos with simple to follow instructions. Totally amazing! That's not all. The materials for the projects are from everyday items and easily obtainable. If you are just starting out, the book gives you a list of places to obtain these treasures. You'll feel as though you are embarking on the coolest of scavenger hunts. It doesn't stop there. There's a section for the basics which will start you off with tools and materials needed to start you on this new adventure. The how-to make jewelry part of the book is broken down into twelve sections, starting with "From the Hardware Store" where you can make a spring clip charm holder necklace, bicycle chain necklace, and a pluming band bangle and rings. Teens will go crazy over these items! Over all, there are 31 remarkable projects, plus additional information in the back. The eight-page gallery features stunning examples of artful jewelry to give you more ideas as well as resources available where you can find all sorts of doodads.

Creatively Fun

Easy to understand. Great photos of completed projects. Simple instructions. Materials list included with each project. I just received Junk To Jewelry by Brenda Schweder and can't wait to try my hand at the watch ribbon bracelet on page 30 (my daughter has a busted watch that was once her deceased Nana's and she wears it!), the drawer pull charm bracelet on page 28, or the junk drawer miscellany watch on page 44. They are by far my three favorite jewelry pieces in the entire book.

GREAT FOR ME AND MY ART CLASSES

WHAT A FUN BOOK.. I WILL BE USING IT AT HOME AS WELL AS IN THE CLASSROOM. I THINK EVERYONE INTERESTED IN JEWLERY CAN FIND SOMETHING THEY LIKE IN THIS FUN AND FUNKY BOOK..