Jewelry Blog

I’m not sure what it is about dragonflies, but they’re very popular. We see them on home furnishings, clothing, shoes, as motifs on sunglasses and all sorts of accessories — we see dragonflies everywhere. Jewelry is no exception and you’ll find all sorts of dragonfly pieces when you shop. I’ve found a few pretty examples to get you started, but once you begin to search for dragonfly jewelry you’ll run into it wherever you go.

_{Photo © ShopNBC}

Danielle Fox, editor of Stringing magazine, is also the author of Simply Modern Jewelry, published by Interweave Press (US $21.95/CAN $25.95). This book’s primary audience is the beginning beader. It includes 30 projects divided into five categories: Find Your Inspiration; Mix It Up; Play with Symmetry; Experiment with Sizing; and Easy Does It. If you enjoy Stringing magazine, then you will probably like many of the projects in this book, no matter what level of beader you are. In particular, I liked “Brass Menagerie,” a bracelet that incorporated 22mm filigree rings along with charms and flower beads; another bracelet called “Family Style,” which is one of more advanced projects in the book, was also interesting since it included instructions for using family photos incased in metal bales.

Some parts of the text are not necessarily unique to this book, such as the section on shopping for beading supplies and the techniques chapter (which does earn some extra brownie points because it covers crimping with crimping pliers as well as using crimp covers). However, this is understandable as this information is often included in some kind of variation in most beginning level jewelry books.

Even with this commonly provided information, though, Simply Modern Jewelry does manage to have a little twist to it. Rather than just tell you how to make each piece of jewelry, Danielle also includes a little design advice along the way. For example, in the Find Your Inspiration chapter, she talks about how we can find inspiration in lots of different places, and then she explains what inspired her to make each jewelry piece. For the Experiment with Sizing chapter, she discusses the idea of using the scale of components (longer necklaces, double strand bracelets, extra-large earrings) to bring a different approach to your ordinary jewelry designs. So, while the beginner is primarily in mind, those who have already mastered basic beading skills but are trying to work on their design skills might find this addition to the book helpful.

Like most Interweave Press books, this one is loaded with full-color photographs of the jewelry as well as the step by step process.

Hard metal and soft organza ribbon make an unlikely combination in this romantic style earring design. The ribbon softens the look, and the brass stampings add a feeling of antique elegance.

I left the stampings as is because I like the natural patina they will eventually develop. However, you may want to try oxidizing them for an immediate aging affect, or to keep them as is, consider coating them with a clear acrylic fixative.

You’ll need:

*2 brass heart stampings
2 gold-filled ear hooks
2 1 ½ inch brass or gold-colored head pins
Approximately 6 to 8 inches of burgundy organza ribbon 1/4 inch wide
Scissors
Matches or fiber fray medium
Round-nosed pliers
Flat-nosed pliers
Wire cutters

*The stampings used in this project are from Guyot Brothers, item number 06720.

If you want a sneak peek of the finished earrings, just select the last link below to jump to the end of this project.