We love making jewelry, especially with real crystals. So sparkly! So when Diane Whiting came out with her new book “Convertible Crystal Jewelry: Reverse it, Twist it, Wear it Many Ways,” we couldn’t wait to dive in.
Our “Tila For Two” bracelet made from Diane Whiting’s Convertible Crystal Jewelry
We met Diane Whiting at the Bead & Boutique Arts Show in Concord, California when we took a bead weaving class from her. We had never done any kind of bead weaving before and WOW did we get hooked! The pieces we made in that class looked so professional! We couldn’t believe we made them ourselves!
Kitty, Diane, and Jennifer at the Bead & Boutique Arts Show
Diane is a great teacher and her designs are elegant and lovely, so we were not surprised when we opened her book. Pages and pages of beautiful jewelry designs. She has created 25 projects that are all glamorous and wearable. And we love the “convertible” jewelry idea, for all your hard work on complex projects like Tila For Two Bracelet (pictured) you end up with two pieces of jewelry! We made ours with copper tilas on one side and turquoise/copper beads on the other. Just flip it over for a different look!
Click here to see the book on Diane’s website and see if you want to order it. (All proceeds go to Diane, not us!)
The instructions in the book are clear and well illustrated with both detailed step photos and drawn illustrations. There are a lot of little “technique spotlight” insets too that share all kinds of handy tips and tricks, the kind of insider know-how you get from in-person classes. (Do take a class from her in person if you ever get the chance!) And there are a range of projects from simple (beginner) to more advanced bead-weaving, but no matter the difficulty (or ease) they are all things we want to make and wear!
Good news! Diane is doing a giveaway on her Facebook page. Go on over there and LIKE her page and leave her a message that you’d like to win a copy. The drawing is June 30, 2015. Good luck!
Cheers!
Jennifer & Kitty
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