Semiprecious Salvage: Creating Found Art Jewelry

More than a simple how-to (though it succeeds famously as that alone) Semiprecious Salvage is an exploratory expedition in imagining possibilities and repurposing found items as one of a kind jewelry pieces exuding elegance, ingenuity, and wit. In the form of a daybook, Stephanie introduces each project with a journal entry setting the stage and allowing us a glimpse into her creative thought process. Cleverly woven into each entry with her imagined setting and circumstance is a discussion of tools and techniques necessary for constructing that particular piece. Step-by-step procedures are accompanied by plenty of visually explanatory photos. She covers processes for aging, using resin, soldering, wirework, and there's an eye-opening section on working with plaster. The Encased-Stone Ring is stunning, the Guardian Cuff, breathtaking. If making your own jewelry appeals, Semiprecious Salvage will provide a solid road map with some exquisite side trips off the beaten path.

This is a great book for ideas on how to do some womderful found art jewelry. It's most entertaining in spite of the sometimes flaky prose incorporated into a story lesson book. If you like to do out of the ordinary pieces. This book is for you.

This is a great book. I often buy books for the information and techniques rather than the projects. However, this book has great information and techniques, and great and interesting projects. The little stories before the projects are also a lot of fun to read. I would highly recommend this book!

Anyone who loves mixed media art jewelry will thoroughly enjoy this book. Foremost, the projects are spectacular. The instructions are clear and concise with excellent photographs. The inspiration alone, is well worth the cost of the book itself! That's because Ms. Lee takes you on a virtual "expedition" with her as she moves from one project to the next. The overall experience of this book is absolutely fabulous!

As I flipped through the pages of this book I was inspired by its beauty from start to finish. Stephanie's projects that may look initially intimitdating are easily understood through photos and clear instructions. The layout of the book is very easy on the eyes and the photos are lovely as well. I would not say this is a beginner jewelry book as it requires soldering, etching and epoxy which take some investment in time and money but doesn't all good art? I would encourage brave mixed media artists to try something new by choosing one of the projects in Stephanie's book and see how you might use the processes in your art. Happy reading!