My New Book, Boho Chic Jewelry, Now Available For Pre-Order!

I'm excited to announce that my new book,

Boho Chic Jewelry: 
25 Timeless Designs Using Soldering, Beading, Wire Wrapping and More

is now available on Amazon.com for pre-order! 

The book consists of 25 beautiful & unique projects, many of which 
 use vintage & reclaimed materials that you can find in your own home.  
Each project is explained in detail from start to finish alongside of beautiful 
images to guide you through the projects every step of the way! 

Inside I share all of my techniques & secrets for creating unique jewelry, including
 all of my soldering techniques, so that you can become a soldering pro too! 

What do you think?

Check Out The Cover Of My New Book!

I'm thrilled to share with you the title and cover of my new book! 

Boho Chic Jewelry 
25 Timeless Designs Using Soldering, Beading, Wire Wrapping and More

What do you think?

An Exciting Announcement: My New Book!

I'm THRILLED to announce that my first jewelry instruction book will be 

published by North Light Books and will be available February 2014! 

The book will feature a beautiful selection of jewelry projects that I designed, 

and will be full of great tips and techniques! If you've ever wanted to learn how to 

make jewelry like me, here you go!  

Stay tuned to my blog and Facebook page, where I'll be announcing when 

the book is available for preorder!

Thanks for visiting!

Bookish: Upcycled & Repurposed Books and Pages

I have always loved books, and have to admit I am a "book collector!" I don't just love to read books though - I love the feel of a book in my hands - it's heft, the texture of it's pages, the gilt of the artwork and lettering on an antique pressed cover...and of course, since learning to read in childhood, the thought of what wonderful secrets could be hidden inside. 

I love books.

But what about altering and repurposing books? 

Years ago the thought would never have entered my mind because my books - they were sacred to me. But after years of going to used book sales and increasing my collection to the point of ridiculousness - I mean, I had books that I bought for $1 whose pages were loose and falling out but they had fabulous antique Art Nouveau covers -  it was at this point I realized, there was no actual monetary value in this damaged book - the only value it had was sentimental value to me, due to its cover art. To most anyone else, it would have been considered trash.  This is the perfect example of a book worthy of recycling into something completely new. Check out these examples of recycled, repurposed and upcycled books and book pages and I think you'll agree that art can indeed be created from an old, damaged book.

Lamp made from a stack of books - DIY instructions from HGTV

Book clutch

Bookcase made from books

Book page mobile




Book bench




Book cover headboard



Storage bin made from book spines by Roadsidephotographs via Etsy







Utensil holder made from an old cook book




rug

sheet music rose

Vintage books upcycled into wedding guest books (above and below) by Spellbinderie via Etsy

blackbird fly

Shelf made from a stack of old books

folded pages

Hollow book safe by Secretsafebooks via Etsy

Sculpture made from folded old books by Kenjio via Etsy

Sculpture carved from a book

Old book + brackets = shelves

i carry your heart

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
                                                      i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it�s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)   

e e cummings 

Vintage book shoulder purse by BeeZbyScranton via Etsy

book cut sculptures

Make a wall collage from a favorite children's book

sheet music ampersand

Birdhouse covered with pages from an old children's book. The roof is the book cover.

mobiles

From Apartment Therapy

Book carvings (above and below) by Hokey Stokes

how to age paper: DIY instructions

book page wreath

Shelves made from old books

Lamp made from old books

paper mache birds

book bathtub

book safe

Playhouse made from books Iowa City Public Library

bracelet

poinsettia book page wreath how to

Carved book by The Book Surgeon

portal

nails (how to)

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