Sixth and Spring Books, a division of Soho Publishing, produces some really delightful craft books. They recently sent me this new publication Creative Paper Jewelry: Earrings, Pendants, Beads and Pins for review. There is also an extra copy for one lucky winner!

I know many of you are interested in paper jewelry. But this form of paper jewelry is not like the popular kind of paper beads made by rolling triangular strips of paper or origami.

Author Dafna Yarom is a graduate of the prestigious Mezalel Academy of Arts and Designs in Jerusalem. She also studied paper making in Japan. Her refreshing take involves the use of base paper pulp or stiff cards as well as top layers of decorative paper.

I particularly liked her approach as it lends itself to using waste paper and card such as computer paper and even corrugated cardboard. She also certainly made me think about additional sources of pretty paper like napkins and wrapping paper not just Japanese origami or washi paper.


The beginning of the book helpfully goes over the basic techniques of making paper pulp, cardboard and corrugated card bases, pulp beads, paper shells, sculptured paper beads and how to embellish. Learn those and you can go on to create all kinds of designs of your own. The author's own designs especially those with chain and wire elements are rather striking and lovely.

It would have been helpful to see pictures of how she dries the beads or paper shells after varnishing. Gloss glaze, sometimes used as a protector, was listed under varnish in her list of materials which I felt should have had a place of its own and perhaps a short explanation of what it is. She also listed just brass, nickel silver and tie wire. Was it just preference or was there a reason why she avoided other metals like sterling silver? I'm probably nit-picking here as none of the above issues are of major significance in an otherwise highly creative and inspiring book.

GIVEAWAY
To win a copy of this book, all you you have to do is make a comment below. Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower or also on Facebook Fan page or Twitter. The giveaway ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday October 18. I will pick a winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after.
Good luck!

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