Book review: Unexpected Findings

Unexpected Findings

By Michelle Mach

Interweave/F+W; $22.99

I can guarantee that many of your favorite designers contributed to this fun volume by Michelle Mach.  Unexpected Findings, published by Interweave, features more than 50 projects that all rely on one or more of the great new findings available today.

The first section outlines just what these findings are.  Since many different names are used for some of them, the photos in this section are very helpful.  "Oh, so that's what that's called!"  Following immediately is information on other materials and tools that you will need, insuring that this is a book even beginners will enjoy.

The projects are quite varied, in technique, materials, and style, as you would expect from such a wonderful cast of designers.  One of my favorites is how Michelle turns filigree ring bands into a sweet pair of earrings (p 42), shown above, and how Erin Siegel makes very clever use of both ribbon ends and cord ends in a pair of leather earrings (p 28), shown below.

And I love this necklace by Molly Schaller (p 57), featuring all the colors of the sea, and appropriately named Tidal Treasures:

In the back, all the resources are listed in case there are any items that you simply must have, but throughout, you are still encouraged to create your own variations...it's entirely up to you!



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