Off The Shelf Review with Gina Smith – Vintage Style Jewelry

With
the enduring popularity of DIY jewelry, beading and of course, all things
vintage, it’s no surprise Bead and Button magazine just published
VintageStyle Jewelry, Inspired Designs from the 1850s to the 1950s
($9.95, Kalmbach Publishing Co., ISBN 978-0-89024-739-6).

      The
wider-format book-magazine features a special pull-out color pictorial
history of jewelry as well as more than a dozen projects incorporating
vintage pieces, antique buttons, self-made findings and new supplies.

      I
most enjoyed the feature about and cover project from Diane Hyde, a
former graphic artist-cum-jewelry designer who only just took up beading
in 1995. Her rapid ascension to a nationally-known, award-winning beader
and designer is inspiring enough for us Etsy and DIY wannabe-hers, but
I also found in her recommended reading list some books I’d like to
check out further.

      Following
the interview are step-by-step instructions for her 1920s-style personalized
pendant with easily-understood directions and photos that make it seem
like “hey, I just might be able to do this!”

      As
for the other projects, I had to keep reminding myself the title of
the book-zine does say “inspired,” so those looking for pics of
a lot of actual vintage jewelry will not find it here. The pull-out,
while well organized, is short on photos, too. Even the restoration
tips article is brief and not long on visuals.

      With
all this in mind, I decided to check out the editor’s letter- not
something I usually rush to first. The message reminded readers that
the mission of the parent magazine (Bead & Button) is to “introduce
contemporary, original jewelry designs,” also noting this special
edition is intended to “apply a new ‘attitude’ to classic styles.”
Aha! That explains it. So, depending on what you’re hoping to find,
I’d recommend some bookstore aisle-reading before you commit to purchase.

      I
found three of the 15 projects that I might actually do; the rest were
heavy on peyote stitch and other seed-beading adventures. If you love
that kind of tiny work, you may want to add this to your reference library.

      As
for me, I may be an unsophisticated kid when it comes to publications,
but give me pictures! And, if you’re going to call something “VintageStyle”
(which they do, making it into one word), then give me vintage!

Next
up on the jewelry shelf review: French-Inspired Jewelry
by Kaari Meng. And, stay tuned for my review of the new Vintage
Vavoom by the editors of Romantic Homes magazine.

– Guest Author, Gina Smith  

{All contributed content Gina Smith © Lilly*s of London*ish}