Lark Crafts

Learn how to make this project from the book Stitched Jewels.

I thought I’d share a fun and awesome free project from a current jewelry book I love, Stitched Jewels. These earrings by Jennifer Kahn aren’t only cool and modern, but they’re also easy to make and eco-friendly since they’re made mostly of leather and fabric scraps.

The PDF will show you how to make the frames and secure the sides. Just add your own style with fabric and you have a great pair of earrings!

Enjoy!

Looking to spend money for a good cause, rather than make something for charity yourself? Lark author Jeri Warhaftig turned me on to the Same Sky bracelets crocheted by female artisans in Rwanda. All of these women survived the 1994 genocide in that country, and all are HIV positive.

Same Sky is a trade-not-aid initiative that gives employment opportunities to women to pull them and their families out of poverty. As the website says, “Instead of a hand-out, we give these women a hand up and the chance to rebuild their lives.”

Worn by such celebrities as Goldie Hawn, Meryl Streep, Barbara Walters and Halle Berry, the bracelets are made of hand-blown glass beads crocheted on a colored, non-stretch cord; each comes signed by the artisan who created that individual piece. (You can get periodic updates on the women’s lives on the website.) All proceeds from sales go to expanding the business to other regions of the world and employing more women artisans.

Solina, Speciose, an unidentified woman, Sada, Jacquiline and Clemantine--the artisans of Same Sky

“There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad. I play the good kind.” Louis Armstrong

I love the Sunday New York Times, especially when a hefty T Magazine is tucked inside. Super-duper-especially when it’s the fashion edition, and I can pour over the high-end designer ads and editorial spreads.

I’m probably not the typical reader. I don’t pay much attention to the clothes. My eyes make a bee line to the jewelry, hoping (always hoping) for some innovative designs. And just when I expected to be disappointed once again…well, hello Lanvin!

Lanvin’s collection for Autumn/Winter 2010 (above, images 1, 2 & 3) ) is a mash-up of primitive and post-apocalyptic style. Mad Max’s Clan of Cave Bears or The Road Warrior’s Quest for Fire. This “ancient to the future” aesthetic definitely hits one of my sweet spots.

Was this particular collection an anomaly for the prestigious house of Lanvin, or do they regularly produce such artful jewelry? Who was the designer behind these bold pieces? Are other couture designers embracing avant-garde jewelry?

When I was a kid, my Aunt Madge always wore her charm bracelet. It was 3 strands deep and loaded with the most fascinating trinkets. I never tired of looking at it, trying to find my favorite ones. The memory of all those charms got me thinking about what those creatives at etsy might be making. Here are a few of my favorites charms I found there.1. BristolSilversmiths 2. andyshouse 3. sixxjewelry 4. staciejewelry

5. JanPalomboDesign 6. cloudninejewelry 7. jewelsvine 8. DivineByDeidre

I’ll cut to the chase on this one: it’s the best giveaway we’ve ever done! We’re including all nine of the releases in Lark’s incredible, glowingly reviewed 500 Jewelry series … plus Brilliance: Masterpieces from the American Jewelry Design Council. All of these books were edited by the Divine Miss M (Marthe, that is, Le Van). It’s a jaw-dropping, gorgeous, brilliant collection, sure to be the centerpiece of any personal library.

How to enter to win the bundle? Leave a comment on this post. As always, any post will do, but I’d love it if you’d write about your favorite piece of jewelry and what it means to you. By the way, I so appreciate the fine quality of commenting and conversation you all are contributing to the Lark Jewelry & Beading blog feed: thank you.

To be entered for a chance to win these 10 great books, leave a comment on this post by 9 p.m EST on Monday, August 30. The 30th happens to be my birthday, so it will be a special pleasure to conclude our giveaway on that day! One winner will be selected at random and announced on Thursday, September 2. Click here for the official rules. Good luck and here’s a bit of good news, another present for us all: more books in this beautiful series are on their way from the Divine Miss M.

And my apologies to all graphic designers and readers out there: I have been unable to fix the ridiculous layout of this post!

By now, most crafters know all about buying and selling on Etsy. But did you know that this website also hosts groups for sellers with like-minded interests? Check out the blog for Etsy Beadweavers; it devotes itself to the creations of an international community of beaders who market their work on Etsy. At the time of this writing, there are 230 members, with 80 active bloggers. You can find all sorts of fascinating interviews with beaders, beading patterns designed by members, info about exhibitions they’re participating in, and the whereabouts of classes they teach.

The winning entry for July, 2010's Gold and Silver Etsy Beadweavers challenge, by Isabella of Bead4me

And—how fun!—for the last 2 years, the group has held a monthly contest, each with a different theme. The very first one had competitors making beadwork on the topic of Hot August Nights (still appropriate 24 months later, huh?). The challenge for this month was Gold and Silver, and the victor was Isabella of Bead4me; her ravishing winning entry appears at right.

Want to join the party? September’s mission is to channel your inner Bollywood. Hurry! You only have until September 5 to enter. (In order to participate, you’ll also have to apply to become a member of the Etsy BeadWeaver’s Street Team.) Even if you don’t contribute a project to the challenge or if you’re not a member of the group, you can always check out the entries between September 9 and 15 and vote for your favorite. I’ll post a reminder.

Can’t wait to see what the Etsy Beadweavers come up with!

We’re pleased to announce the winner of our giveaway bundle of six great author-signed books from Lark Jewelry & Beading: Dorothy McCord of Louisville, Kentucky. Dorothy’s sweet comment on the giveaway post was selected using an online random number generator. She wrote: “I love to do beading. It is one way for me to stay connected to my granddaughters since all of them live in other states. I have fun making them things and getting pictures of them wearing my gifts. I hope they will keep them in the future and remember how much grandma loved them. Plus it is fun!!!!!!”

Thanks to everyone who participated and left comments about their summer highlights or crafting generally. What a fascinating and active community we all are part of! It seems that the summer of 2010 was as memorable for many of us as it was hot.

Stay tuned to this bat channel: Next week, I’ll be posting Lark Jewelry & Beading’s biggest and best giveaway yet–a truly extraordinary one. Check back daily!

In the meantime, peruse the kind of content we’re now posting on the Lark Jewelry & Beading blog regularly, like these recent articles: Marthe Le Van musing on jewelry, body, photography, and interpretation; our profile of jewelry artist and blogger Lorelei Eurto; our interview with German beader Sabine Lippert; and a Bugle Bead Bonanza bonus project from Jamie Cloud Eakin. Leave a comment and let me know what you think about this content … and what else you’d like to see from us.

Please enjoy, everyone, and mazel tov, Dorothy!