Extra Linky Love Shower!

I’m throwing in an extra Linky Love Shower this week. Grab your slickers and your Wellies, unless you live in the Southeast because you’ve probably already got them on. I’ve got some errands to run this morning so this is a quick post. Here’s hoping you have a craftacular day!

My friend Christopher Nejman made even more fab videos for me you can see at his website http://www.christophernejmantv.com/ Thanks Christopher, you are awesome! If you live in the Tampa area Christopher is auditioning people to appear on his website in filmed dynamic craft segments produced and edited with the same flair he used for mine. Whatever your crafty focus, he wants to see if you’ve got the skills to be on Christopher Nejman TV! Here is the contact info at the hair salon where Chrisopher works to set up an appointment, call between Wednesday and Saturday. The number is 813-818-1088. The website is http://www.hairmatrixtampa.com/

Amy of Mod Podge Rocks blog is having a big giveaway. It’s already garnered a ton of interest, but go ahead and throw your name in the hat. If you love Mod Podge like I do, you’ll want to check it out!

My friend Ana Araujo and her daughter Megan have a great crafty website called When Creativity Knocks. If you haven’t already, you may want to go see their huge library of crafty videos.

Big shout out to the fab Tammy Powley of The Crafty Princess Diaries for posting our new The Impatient Crafter™ video. If you want to post our video too, let me know when you do and I’ll post a link back to you here.

If you crochet and you're looking for some inspiration my friend Drew Emborsky has some really wonderful new pattern books out with Leisure Arts. He's got a knack for making crochet look fresh. Also if you want more crochet fun, Vickie Howell's book Pop Goes Crochet is super clever and the projects are amazing!

The folks from Friendly Plastic are having a design contest! Go here to read all about it!

My pal Andrew Thornton of the Green Girl Studios gang is destashing. He's got impeccable taste, so don't miss out on this opportunity!

Book Review: Jewelry and Beading Designs for Dummies

Book Review
Jewelry and Beading Designs for Dummies
Tammy Powley and Heather H. Dismore
For Dummies
August 2008

Ms. Powley and Ms. Dismore have created a thorough and thoroughly delightful tome on the basics of jewelry making that is a must have for any novice. They cover absolutely everything you need to know to get started and to ensure continued success. This book is designed for the beginner and the projects are totally appropriate for someone ready to dip their toes into the jewelry and beading pool, but there is plenty of information for the more advanced beaded jewelry maker as well.

The illustrations are clear and the directions meticulous and concise. My only wish is that there were more color pictures because the designs are so lovely, but there's a several page glossy color gallery of designs that helps immensely. It begins with the basics and progresses to intermediate and even advanced techniques. You get a taste of mixed media, bead weaving, poly clay, wire work and even learn how to make your own findings. They give good, solid information and show you how to do things properly which will ensure good results. That's the key component to a good how-to book.

As a professional designer and a jewelry book author, I have a discerning eye and a high level of expectation. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for every bead lover's library. Ms. Dismore and Ms. Powley are both competent and respected experts and together they've created an indispensable guide to the many facets of jewelry making and beading.

Margot Potter
Author and Freelance Designer
The Impatient Beader Series
Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed
Beyond the Bead