Danielle Fox - Simply Modern Jewelry

Danielle
Fox Thanks to the talented editors, designers, and photographers who helped make this book possible: Nancy Arndt, Melinda Barta, Marlene Blessing, Bonnie Brooks, Lisette Bushong, Rebecca Campbell, Joe Coca, Paulette Livers, Connie Poole, Ann Swanson, Katrina Vogel, and Tricia Waddell. To the friendly beadmakers and vendors who made, found, and/or shipped beading supplies to me, sometimes with very short notice: Jane Acuna, Lisa and Tony Blackwell, Lindsay Burke, Kathy Dannerbeck, Jess Italia-Lincoln, Melanie Brooks Lukacs, Larry and Maude Lorah, Kate McKinnon, Amy Merritt, Sarah Moran, Melissa Nichols, Greg Ogden, Linda Podkova, Rene Renoir, Yvette Rodriguez, Stephanie Sersich, Pam Springall, Jen Thoits, Andrew Thornton, Cynthia Thornton, Katie Wall, Candice Wakumoto, Rebecca Whittaker, and Heather and Pam Wynn. To my family and friends, whose love, support, and sense of humor have made the last busy year bearable: My boyfriend, Nicolai Ramler, for uncomplainingly putting up with my all-consuming book schedule. My brother, Josh, for offering to help with the book. My sister, Heather, for being my design consultant. My brother-in-law, Tom, for his encouraging response to my jewelry: I would never wear that.

And my cousin Holly, for being the president of my fan club. And most especially to my parents who I know are proud of me, book or no book. Its their unconditional love and support that has dared me to reach for the stars. I love you. Danielle

I remember the first time I bought a piece of grown-up jewelry. It was a necklace of blue-stone links that had a forward-facing clasp decorated with blue-stone dangles.

I remember this purchase so well because 1.) I bought it to wear to a dear friends bridal shower, and 2.) I felt so extravagant spending forty dollars on an accessory. (Mind you, at the time I was a new grad living in Big City Chicago on assistant-to-the-assistants assistant wages!) I still like the necklaceat least it was a tasteful splurgebut today I have only one thought when I wear it: I could have made this myself! You see, once you learn the fundamental techniques for creating jewelry, youll realize how easy it is to make the stylish necklaces, bracelets, and earrings you drool over at boutiques and department stores. Really! I learned how to make simple beaded jewelry on the job. Im the editor of Interweave Presss Stringing magazine, which means that I have had the good fortune of being taught and inspired by talented bead and beaded-jewelry artists. With this book I hope to pass on to you what Ive learned. Ill start by introducing you to the tools, techniques, and supplies youll need to make your own jewelry.

Then with each chapter Ill share a suggestion for how to approach a jewelry project, such as Mix it Up, Play with Symmetry, and Experiment with Sizing, followed by designs that exemplify that chapters topic. Of course, every project comes with thorough step-by-step instructions and photos. My wish is that you will find at least one project in this book that you will be dying to make. And when you wear it, youll be proud to say, Why, yes, I did make this myself!

Shopping for beads and other supplies is half the fun of making jewelry! What follows is a handy guide to the products used in this book. Note that Im only skimming the surface of whats available. A wide variety of beadsor small objects with holes in themare available today. A wide variety of beadsor small objects with holes in themare available today.

Explained here are the types of beads most commonly found at bead shops.

Glass is a versatile medium for beads that can be melted, molded, and combined with other materials for fantastic results. Seed beads: Tiny glass beads available in endless colors and finishes. Most are produced in Japan or the Czech Republic. Seed bead sizes, which are indicated by the degree symbol (), vary by producer, but generally range from size 20 to 6 (the smaller the number, the larger the bead). Lampworked: Handmade beads created by working hot glass rods over a flame (in the old days, a lamp; today, a propane torch). Fire-polished: Glass beads (generally from the Czech Republic) that are faceted to catch light and often have a surface finish applied to them for extra sparkle. Fire-polished: Glass beads (generally from the Czech Republic) that are faceted to catch light and often have a surface finish applied to them for extra sparkle.

Fire-polished beads resemble crystals and, being less expensive, are often used in their place. Pressed-glass: Glass beads (generally from the Czech Republic) that are made by pressing glass into molds. They come in a variety of colors and shapes, including rounds, daggers, flowers, leaves, and more.

A material that is malleable while moist but becomes hard when fired. Types of clay include porcelain, ceramic, stoneware, and earthenware. Raku: Glazed ceramic beads made out of earthenware clay that is fired at a high temperature using a technique that yields a beautiful metallic, crackled, and/or variegated finish. Leaded glass beads that, more often than not, are produced by the Austrian company Swarovski. Leaded glass beads that, more often than not, are produced by the Austrian company Swarovski.

Crystals come in various sizes, shapes, colors, and finishes.