Book Review: Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry

Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay + Wire Jewelry by Ronna Sarvas Weltman

Paperback: 136 pages
Publisher: Interweave Press (June 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596680970
ISBN-13: 978-1596680975

I was blown away when I saw the cover of this book and HAD to have it. This distinctive jewelry book artistically combines polymer clay and wire into organic, sophisticated, and contemporary jewelry. Bead crafters and jewelry makers will learn a number of innovative techniques in designing beads and components from polymer clay, making wire work elements, clasps and ear wires, wire bead caps, polymer clay tipped head pins, and more. The author has a very distinct modernist primitive style that I personally LOVE, and if this is your style as well, you will be making some amazing jewelry.

Ancient Modern discusses the fundamentals of jewelry design as well as what makes a piece “primitive” and how to achieve an organic effect through color mixing and textures. There are 15 one-of-a-kind detailed projects and a gallery of more stunning jewelry to be inspired by..

The book starts with an introduction to deigning jewelry, color inspiration, the tools used with wire, wire techniques, creating clasps, and all about polymer clay. In that section she goes over how to cure clay, tools, various techniques like canes and marbleing and how to make a simple bead. Then its on to the projects.

The projects range from Lush Sonata Necklace, Three Ring Circus Brooch, to Dancing Bells Earrings and Embrace Me ring. All have very detailed photos and instructions.

This book is truly one of a kind polymer clay book. I”m inspired to pull out my old polymerclay (hope its still soft!) and try out these techniques.

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I’m always tempted by the pretty velvets at the fabric store. So much texture! And the way the fibers catch the light! But sewing on velvet is trickier than you’d think. That nap that lends beautiful texture also likes to slip and crawl. That nap can also spell disaster if you cut a piece the wrong direction. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use buy that velvet and sew it into something gorgeous, you just need to go into your velvet sewing project prepared. And Melissa at Melly Sews has a post that takes you step by step through sewing on velvet.

Velvet is such a luscious fabric, especially for winter sewing projects. Of course there are velvet Christmas sewing projects – stockings, tree skirts, santa hats – but velvet is beautiful for all winter. Think of all the gorgeous velvet dresses, evening bags, hair accessories, even pillows and other home décor that you see all winter long.

Melly Sews’ post gives you the tips and tricks you need to know in order for your velvet sewing project to end up a success. There are types of projects better suited for velvets, and kinds of projects to avoid. She describes the different types of velvet available. And she also tells the best way to lay out and cut your pattern pieces from velvet fabric. Her tutorial also covers marking, pressing, and of course sewing that beautiful fabric. There’s also a video included in case that’s your preferred method for learning.

Head over to Melly Sews to learn how to sew on velvet fabric.

And if you want to learn more about that lovely blue velvet dress shown, she has a post that tells more about it including 2 ways to style it depending on if you want to be more dressy or more casual.

[photo credit: Melly Sews]

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