Editor Reviews:

Product Description:

Rating : - In Custom Cool Jewelry, Melinda Barta shows you how!
It's no accident that Barta, Melinda's last name, contains the word ART. This chic yet accessible jewelry making book, Custom Cool Jewelry, is extremely artistic in sensibility...to the point that I (and any reader!) would love to own all of these fantastic pieces which Melinda has designed. They are up to date, or vintage, or dressy, or funky, or fascinating, or full of curious bits and pieces which have been pulled together by the author to make delicious sense, and they are one of a kind in style. That is why this book is called Custom Cool Jewelry. Ultimately, the reader is given the incentive viewing this lovely book with its solid teaching technique to go out and start making thoughtful and personal jewelry of her own.


As, at the moment, there is little interest in flashing "cookie cutter" styles, as far as jewelry is concerned, and most people who love jewelry like to look special and stand out from the crowd, this book is bound to be a huge hit. It brings artisan crafted jewelry to a fine point, and the author deftly guides you through the creation of unique pendants, charms, clasps, and finished projects. I have to stop right here and interrupt myself to say that my favorite technique in the book is the glass etching pendant technique. I love it, I love it, I love it! This technique is worth the price of the book alone! I do not think I am the only one who will find herself drawn to the mystique of etched pendants and beads, because of the way the author teaches how to create them.


But don't stop there! That's just the beginning! She has lockets with tiny and fascinating contents inside to die for, mixed media charms using a variety of glazes so that you can learn, as you make something fabulous, and simpler creations, too. Framed collage pendants with appealing images of stars, butterflies and angels...whatever is your fancy can be found in this book. Better yet, you can design it, because Barta shows you how!




Melinda Barta also covers polymer clay, and takes vintage jewelry and shows you how to turn it hip and update it. She teaches straight techniques, like lasso loops, and distressing, and how to end a jewelry piece with a set of orbital rings of your own making and some fabric or a hook. She shows you how to make a needle and thread mesh beaded clasp. I liked that demonstration a lot!




She also works with plastic, crystals, cabochons, and wire. She embosses and stamps! It is like a mini crash course in many techniques. Everything she makes is appealing.




The six finished projects presented at the end of the book, which utilize many of her techniques, are stunning. My favorite of those six? The "Floral Romance Necklace". It is light and airy. She has broken up the chain here and there with some beads to let it breathe, and the pendant she chose to finish it with, white with a black imprint, is something you can teach yourself to make earlier in the book. A true delight to see, and, I imagine, to wear.




Question: Would this be the very first book I would buy if I were just starting out to make jewelry?




Answer: Ummm, maybe; maybe not. Custom Cool Jewelry might seem overwhelming; it has so many types of jewelry making in it. In my opinion, it might be a great gift for intermediates and up. However, do not let that stop you from buying this fab book for yourself if you are new to jewelry making and jewelry design. Just save it, studying it off and on, for when you are slightly more adept! The learning curve for motivated jewelry artists is very fast. And this book WILL motivate and inspire you! Things will "fall into place", due to this book.




Additionally, there are some easier projects in the book which you can do right away if you wish, or even some bits of projects you can practice your skills on. I repeat, the incentive, because the projects are so beautiful, is very high, so you WILL want to learn.


The author's sense of design is unerring and delightful. Custom Cool Jewelry is a great book to own and use as a reference for your own custom jewelry!