Book Review by Jean: Cathy Jakicic, Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry

quote: Marcel Proust. "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it ... The thing you're claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you.

Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry by Cathy Jakicic

Right from the start I was charmed by the cover photos of the jewelry, and the way they were combined with pictures, discs, and frames, as I held the book Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry, by Cathy Jakicic, editor of BeadStyle Magazine in my hands. Everything looks so fun and delightful to make!
In fact, that is the case, as the reader delves into this unique jewelry book. Using all sorts of scrapbooking, crafting, and beading resources, the author shows you how to make wonderful memory jewelry. You can now wear a favorite memory upon your wrist or around your neck. That is an irresistible idea!
Just so you know, Cathy is a lovely person who initiated a column in BeadStyle called "Beads of Change". This column appears in every issue. It always employs beads from third world countries in order to help the sales of the bead makers who hail from those countries. How great!

To return to the book, I note that the author has a super and strong personal style, which is great for a design book which encourages memories and reflectiveness.
After the introduction, a well photographed selection of materials, tools and techniques, there are four sections. Each section offers a "super quick project" as well. This is wonderful for people like me! And maybe you! I love to whip up fast jewelry which looks like I bought it at a boutique.That sort of jewelry has my name all over it!

The Project sections are called:
1) milestones
2) hobbies
3) vacations
4) remembrances

At the end of the book is a fantastic resource section so you don't have to spend your time going crazy trying to figure out where something came from, with the exception of special one-of-a-kind charms which are meant just for you, and call out to you alone!

I was immediately taken with the two wooden bangles ("Home Fires") which comprise the first project of the milestones section. I lived in the same house all my life as a child. How I wish I had created some memory bangles like these to help me remember the beauty which surrounded me. One bangle has lightly worn pictures on it, and the other is a soft layered suedelike blue which resembles the actual walls of the author's house...a house she no longer lives in. I love the sentiment expressed here.

The "Memory Book" necklace and earrings is fabulous too. You are delighted to see a tiny notebook framing reduced photos, with a glittering briolette drop on the bottom, as the focal (you learn to create this). It is strung to all sorts of beads in tones of turquoise and green in chunky shapes and briolette shapes. The earrings are briolettes as well. I am delighted to see new concepts in jewelry books, and even if this jewelry piece might take a bit of time, I expect and accept that. It's just as milestones should take a while to achieve,
After all, every moment will be worth it!

In "Gifts of Style", one of my favorite items makes an appearance. The "Sea Glass Celebration" necklace, with faux sea glass made of glass bottles, and some small bicone crystals, just completely knocked me out! It is a must try! I cannot describe the LaLique lustre but it is soft and yellowish white and looks like beach glass in the sun.

"Hobbies" offers a necklace("Great Performances") commemorating the author's daughter's performance in a play. The focal is great! Because of the chain, the actual necklace could be worn by any age person. It is a sweet,loving piece. Even if you didn't design it exactly the way the author does, it is a wonderful start to make a focal and choose your own chains or ribbon, using your own ideas.

"Pop Culture" in Hobbies was a string of lush deep orange carnelian colored rounds interspersed with smaller green crystals, with a striking green, orange and white resin rectangle on the front. How cool! It is so great to learn to make resin art pieces and jewelry! It is so popular today! Check out the earrings on this one, too! Really pretty!

"Garden Variety" is in hobbies as well.
How much did I love the bracelet called "Best Sellers"? As a reader, I couldn't help myself! The books are individually laminated and there are silver beads and starfish (we all love to read on vacation, right?) with white pearls arranged between the book charms. I lost my heart to that one.

The following section is vacations. "Euro Chic" is featured on the cover. It is an extremely glamorous triple strand of coins and beautiful dangles. You could go anywhere in this one! "Taxi driver, please take me to the Plaza! I am having high tea!"
"Cent-imental Style" has a similar sensibility, but the stamped ovals on the single chain make a big difference in look. The beads appear to be antique.It is a coppery colored necklace and the stamped coins are actually "smooshed", according to the author. I have never seen a smooshing machine but I will be looking for one now, you can bet!

Remembrances is the last section.
A very touching necklace ("Memory Chips") employs Photofetti. These are blanks you affix your own personal photos to (not the real ones, but copies of them!) and then string them together with beads into a wonderful love of a necklace is really moving.
This whole section is going to get to you if you are sentimental, as I am.

What a great book. I believe the author, Cathy Jakicic has a huge amount of talent and originality, and a lovely big heart.