review by jean of Enchanted Adornments, by Cynthia Thornton

Enchanted Adorments by Cynthia Thornton

Amazing journey shows you how to follow your own path of creativity!, October 28, 2009
By
Jean Yates "jean, jewelry designer, book and... (United States) - See all my reviews(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Enchanted Adornments, by the remarkable bead artist and illustrator Cynthia Thornton, not only teaches how to create all sorts of beautiful projects anyone will love, it relates a delightful story as it teaches, with "calendar-dated" diary chapters for each project, and charming magical persona inhabiting each chapter. If you pored over fairy tales as a child, you will curl up with this book, a pot of tea and a fire going in the fireplace, and read it in a day, I bet. If you never read a single fairy tale in your younger days, grab a mug of cocoa and get ready to learn what it is to be entranced by words, mystery, passion, love, sorrow, joy and secrets unveiled. Cynthia, I knew you made the most glorious beads of all sorts, and I knew you made beautiful jewelry, because I have followed your career since I first came upon your internet store, [...] However, I never knew you were a tale teller. How better to teach readers the way to make spectacular and unique beads and terrific jewelry than by engrossing them in fascinating tales of all sorts of creatures and by having the mysterious author's diary, complete with stunning illustrations, explain bit by bit why the mystic creatures in each chapter love and are pefectly suited by the kinds of jewelry that they choose? I admit I feel compelled not to discuss the tales. They are filled with love and emotion, and it is genuine. They unfold in a wonderfully natural manner. I can say this: only a person who has truly loved another person could have written this book. Even if you have never made a polymer bead in your life, you get the urge to learn at this author's feet. She is a very encouraging and thorough teacher. In fact, the beginning of the book is packed with excellent advice on how to carve, how to work with wire, how to set stones, how to make polymer correctly (prepping a master mold, etc.), how to make resin properly, including finishing and curing it in a bezel, and how to properly create a piece out of precious metal clay. It is quite amazing--a book in itself. When you do get to the projects, you are quite eager to see them. The photos are beautiful,breathtaking! Each project is different and so lovely, and the underlying story is one of enchantment...just as the adornments are enchanted. The illustrations are amazing, as well. I don't want to be the one who gives anything away concerning this wonderful book. I just think you should buy it and be prepared to fall in love with every page. What a love story this book is. A love story between a woman who creates jewelry, a love story between an imaginary couple who remind me of some people I know and a love story between a woman who reached for the stars glittering throughout each page of Enchanted Adornments. They came rushing to her, because they knew she "understood".

This review also to be found on Amazon.com, here: http://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Adornments-Creating-Mixed-Media-Jewelry/dp/1596681578/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257419521&sr=1-1