Book Review: Crystal Chic, Custom jewelry with dazzling details, by Debbi Simon

Just a glance at the cover of this new jewelry design book by author Debbi Simon and you can see the effervescence and energy with which she has addressed the concepts behind and the creating of myriads of new styles of crystal jewelry, using "Crystalized Swarovski Elements", those stunning beauties believed by many designers to be the nonpareil of elegant faceted glass beads for so many years now.

I know that when I first started making jewelry, the one thing which was usually a part of every piece which I designed was one or more (hopefully more!) gloriously flashing, perfectly cut and colored, gem-like Swarovski beads. In the industry, they stand alone, highly prized for their beauty, whether you are admiring the newest shapes and colors of the year, or the heady vintage beads, still in their printed packages, which are carried by specialty stores, which you can spend hours looking through online. Watch out--you'll get hooked!

This great book is a celebration of all things Swarovski, because we are at a terrific design point where many options are open to us creatively and these beads rise to meet the challenge. Swarovski Elements, in the skillful hands of a designer like Debbi Simon, can play a great part in the brand new, edgy trends which people are loving (including stamped bracelets, paveed metal pieces, work with polymer clay and resin, and fantastic fibers). Included as well is the other trend which is still going strong: the great affection for vintage styles in jewelry which are evinced in brass filigree, for example.

I liked the arrangement of the book. The introduction was followed by a concise list of materials used in the book, and then the fun began! The filigree section was first and I was really impressed by the inventiveness of Debbi Simon: she designed things which I had not ever pictured in my head before, such as a necklace called "Checkmate" which made use of Chessboard Swarovski Crystals in a moody Silver Shade. Moving on to the second section, Metal, I was particularly impressed by the assertiveness and sumptuous attitude of the "No-Hassel Tassel" which is a key chain adorned with Crystals which any princess would be proud to carry her keys on. This one would make a good gift too...I would expect it would be received with much delight and frankly it does not look hard to make. It is just well designed, by Debbi!

People are really into fibers right now as part of the mixed media movement, and one really artistic and striking necklace I found quite touching to look at, as if it were a piece of art, was :"Sands of Time". All of the sources for these pieces are listed so do not think that they cannot be made just because they appear to be "one of a kind". I really like that about this book. I noted as well that in that section, the designer has chosen my favorite "family" metal charm and component company, http://www.greengirlstudios.com/ and had designed an adorable "Pink Elephant" necklace with one of their charms, and pinkish colored Light Amethyst crystals. I would make and wear that in a heartbeat! With the hot pink cord, it is truly charming!

The Polymer Clay section has some amazing designs, my favorite being "Gem of a Specimen". One thing which is always thought out is WHY the Swarovski Crystals enhance each design, and it is clearly shown here that the artist really knows what she is doing, when she utilizes crystals in this beautiful polymer clay flower piece. It is so pretty!

In the Resin section I found a lovely bangle bracelet with a paisley patten called "All Jewelled" which was just stunning, as well. There are so many things in this book you will want to try!

The book winds up with Fun Stuff and it is fun to see some things which are quite fabulous like the Clam'ourous earrings . Those are flat out beautiful! The designer even plays around with Legos and makes some fun cuff links.

There there is a lovely gallery, finishing with the suggestion that after viewing it, you just let loose and play.

I assure you you will want to do just that after selecting this book for your jewelry library. It has variety, it is elegant yet fun, it has drama and impact, and it is just a great book!

--Jean Yates