Book review: Beautiful Elements

I love Heather Powers's work, especially her glorious polymer clay beads, but also her finished jewelry which she puts together using a lot of her own wire and metal elements.  In her new book, Beautiful Elements, published by Kalmbach, Heather brings it all together in a delightful celebration of designs from the heart.

Even though I would consider this an intermediate book, the thorough Basics section in the beginning, covering materials, tools, and techniques for making jewelry, working with polymer clay and metal, mean that a beginner can play too.  If you like Heather's style, grab this book and learn from the very beginning how to make your own findings, links, drops, pendants, and beads, rather than buying manufactured ones that everyone is using.

Heather's book will teach you how to "sketch" on metal, add amazing texture and personal imagery, create your own charms and drops, and make custom beads from polymer clay.  Throughout, there are projects to help you practice your new skills.  All are made with minimal tools, including all cold connections, so there are really no worries for a beginner!

Check out my review of Heather's earlier book, Jewelry Designs from Nature

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