Book Spotlight: 1000 Jewelry Inspirations

Sometimes the best resources aren’t those that teach you things, but those that show you what’s out there. After all, nothing is more inspiring than plenty of eye candy all in one place. When stuck for color ideas, some beaders like to open a page of The Beader’s Color Palette at random and try a new combination. But what about when you’re stuck for ideas on materials and techniques?

1,000 Jewelry Inspirationsis not like your average beading book. After a quick introduction by editor Sandra Salamony, this book is stuffed full of page after page of jewelry photos. Apart from each picture’s index code and photo credits, there is no text whatsoever. Just oodles of gorgeous jewelry designs by hundreds of artists.

The photographs are organized into five chapters: beads and baubles; paper and mixed media; polymer and precious metal clay; vintage and repurposed; fibers and fabric; wire and metal. Each chapter and its pages are color coded for easy reference. To coordinate with the handy artist index at the back of the book, the table of contents also lists the photo numbers so you can easily find pieces by your favorite designers.

Each pair of pages features jewelry grouped by theme, material, or style, which can help you to compare ideas and inspirations, and come up with your own unique variations. There are plenty of necklaces and bracelets, as well as rings, earrings, and brooches. The polymer clay chapter is particularly stunning, and features designs created with handmade beads of amazing shapes, colors, and patterns.

After perusing these 1000 Jewelry Inspirations, it’s hard to resist sitting down to create a new piece of jewelry. For beginners, the book finishes with an appendix of basic beading techniques like wrapped loops and jump rings, and a resource guide with plenty of bead shop listings to help you find some of the materials seen in the book.

If you happen to pick up a copy of 1000 Jewelry Inspirations, I highly recommend sitting down with a pen and stack of sticky notes the first time you look through it. You’ll want to bookmark your favorite designs, and make notes about how you can adapt the ideas to your own unique taste and style. This book is an excellent tool for anyone with beader’s block!

Copyright 2012 Inspirational Beading
Sandra Salamony and Quarry Books
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