Crystal Chic

You’ll be introduced to the techniques of working with hot-fix crystals and taught how to incorporate metal, resin, wood, plastic, polymer, and more, into your own designs. Thirty unique, step-by-step jewelry projects, bonus accessory projects such as stamping and resin-making, and other hot-fix crystal applications are included.

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Author: Debbi Simon
Softcover; 8 1/4 x 10 3/4; 96 pages; 300 color photos; ISBN: 9780871162694

Debbi Simon studied at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning a BFA in design. She paints, teaches, and designs and makes jewelry in addition to her full-time profession. Her work is exhibited in juried and invitational shows throughout the Midwest and is counted among private collections.

Introduction 6
Materials and Techniques 7
All about glue 7
All about crystals 9
All about resin 12
All about molds 12
Basic jewelry and beading techniques 13
Tools and Materials 14

FILIGREE
Ring on a Shoestring 16
Filigree rings
Fil-harmonic 18
Elegant filigree and crystal earrings
Filigree Squared 20
Charm and filigree linked bracelet
Full Circle 22
Filigree pendant necklace
Checkmate 24
Stunning crystal-accented necklace
Fil-osophical 26
Wood bangle bracelet with crystals and filigree

METAL
Ring Around the Posy 28
Clustered flower rings
No-Hassle Tassel 30
Bead cap tassel ring
4x the Fun 32
Four chain necklaces with pearls and crystals
On (Head) Pins and Needles 34
Embellished clasp
À la Pavé 36
Sparkling channel ring and clasp
Under Lock and Key Chain 38
Bejeweled clasp

FIBERS
Velvet Ribbon Bracelet 40
Soft bracelet and earrings
Sands of Time 42
Silk strand necklace with glass pendant
Pink Elephant 44
Playful charm chokers
Garden Party 46
Dramatic felt flower necklace
“Wow! I Coulda Had a Tagua!” 48
Nut and ribbon choker
Wild One 50
Bold chain and ribbon choker
Eye Candy 52
Sweet and stylish leather cuff

POLYMER CLAY
Honeycomb 54
Regal ring
Charmed 56
Polymer clay charm bracelet
Gem of a Specimen 58
Blossoming poppy brooch
Stamp Out 60
Textured, linked bangle bracelet
Fused Two-gether 62
Bejeweled earrings
Resin 63
Bezel, Bezel 64
Linked bracelet and coordinating pendant
Egg-cellent Locket 66
Antiqued photo locket
Amalgamated 68
Molded pendant necklace
Robin’s Egg Blues 70
Resin and fiber bracelet
Sitting Pretty 72
Resin-coated paper ring
All Jeweled 73
Resin bangle bracelets
Ring Bling 74
Embellished resin rings

FUN STUFF
Bat and Forth 76
Batty cuff bracelet
Crystal ‘Ice’d 78
Snowflake charms adorn a bangle bracelet
It’s Not a Dog’s Life 80
Dog-tag pendant
Let Go of My Lego 82
Lucky Charms 84
Eclectic earrings
“Clam’’ orous 86
Crystal clamshell earrings

Gallery 87
Acknowledgments and About the Author 95

Just a glance at the cover of this new jewelry design book by author Debbi Simon and you can see the effervescence and energy with which she has addressed the concepts behind and the creating of myriads of new styles of crystal jewelry, using "Crystalized Swarovski Elements", those stunning beauties believed by many designers to be the nonpareil of elegant faceted glass beads for so many years now.
I know that when I first started making jewelry, the one thing which was usually a part of every piece which I designed was one or more (hopefully more!) gloriously flashing, perfectly cut and colored, gem-like Swarovski beads. In the industry, they stand alone, highly prized for their beauty, whether you are admiring the newest shapes and colors of the year, or the heady vintage beads, still in their printed packages, which are carried by specialty stores, which you can spend hours looking through online. Watch out--you'll get hooked!
This great book is a celebration of all things Swarovski, because we are at a terrific design point where many options are open to us creatively and these beads rise to meet the challenge. Swarovski Elements, in the skillful hands of a designer like Debbi Simon, can play a great part in the brand new, edgy trends which people are loving (including stamped bracelets, paveed metal pieces, work with polymer clay and resin, and fantastic fibers). Included as well is the other trend which is still going strong: the great affection for vintage styles in jewelry which are evinced in brass filigree, for example.
I liked the arrangement of the book. The introduction was followed by a concise list of materials used in the book, and then the fun began! The filigree section was first and I was really impressed by the inventiveness of Debbi Simon: she designed things which I had not ever pictured in my head before, such as a necklace called "Checkmate" which made use of Chessboard Swarovski Crystals in a moody Silver Shade. Moving on to the second section, Metal, I was particularly impressed by the assertiveness and sumptuous attitude of the "No-Hassel Tassel" which is a key chain adorned with Crystals which any princess would be proud to carry her keys on. This one would make a good gift too...I would expect it would be received with much delight and frankly it does not look hard to make. It is just well designed, by Debbi!
People are really into fibers right now as part of the mixed media movement, and one really artistic and striking necklace I found quite touching to look at, as if it were a piece of art, was :"Sands of Time". All of the sources for these pieces are listed so do not think that they cannot be made just because they appear to be "one of a kind". I really like that about this book. I noted as well that in that section, the designer has chosen my favorite "family" metal charm and component company, http://www.greengirlstudios.com/ and had designed an adorable "Pink Elephant" necklace with one of their charms, and pinkish colored Light Amethyst crystals. I would make and wear that in a heartbeat! With the hot pink cord, it is truly charming!
The Polymer Clay section has some amazing designs, my favorite being "Gem of a Specimen". One thing which is always thought out is WHY the Swarovski Crystals enhance each design, and it is clearly shown here that the artist really knows what she is doing, when she utilizes crystals in this beautiful polymer clay flower piece. It is so pretty!
In the Resin section I found a lovely bangle bracelet with a paisley patten called "All Jewelled" which was just stunning, as well. There are so many things in this book you will want to try!
The book winds up with Fun Stuff and it is fun to see some things which are quite fabulous like the Clam'ourous earrings . Those are flat out beautiful! The designer even plays around with Legos and makes some fun cuff links.
There there is a lovely gallery, finishing with the suggestion that after viewing it, you just let loose and play.
I assure you you will want to do just that after selecting this book for your jewelry library. It has variety, it is elegant yet fun, it has drama and impact, and it is just a great book!
-Jean Yates at http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/