Ayako Brodek
2007 Quarto Publishing
If you’ve always wondered how to put your love for origami to practical use, then check out this book by Ayako Brodek where origami meets jewelry making. Aptly called Origami Jewellery, the book offers more than 40 projects, from brooches and pins to earrings and necklaces, with the occasional bracelet and hair clip making an appearance. Projects are arranged by season, as reflected in their colors and designs, with an additional Japanese themed section where you learn to fold a kimono and samurai helmet.
Don't fret if you've no prior experience in jewelry making. The projects use simple jewelry findings and tools, which are discussed at the beginning of the book, and the author teaches you the basic jewelry making techniques like how to properly open and close jump rings, how to form a loop on a pin, how to attach a clasp to thread, cord or beading wire, how to set a crimp bead, and how to attach findings for earrings and brooches. All these are explained with the help of diagrams which are reminiscent of Japanese craft books.
Then, of course, there's the origami part of the projects. Different types of paper are discussed early on, as are the various tools needed for cutting and folding paper. As with the jewelry making techniques, the basic folds and origami techniques are well explained with diagrams, so beginners can start right away with the simpler designs.
Origami enthusiasts will recognize familiar objects like cranes, frogs, flowers, and puffy beads, as well as the more modular shapes, but will nevertheless welcome the fresh and creative ways these origami pieces are combined with beads and findings to create delicate looking jewelry.
To address any concerns one may have with the durability of paper jewelry, the author shares a crucial piece of advice: cover the finished origami pieces with a protective coat like polyurethane. She also suggests alternative finishes, and explains the effects each one will have on paper.
Rounding out the book is a Resources page which lists the websites of origami societies and suppliers of origami paper and jewelry findings. A gallery of origami jewelry pieces would have been nice for additional inspiration, as the photos of the projects – eye candy in themselves – leave you begging for more!
Overall, this book is a keeper, whether you love origami or jewelry – or both.
Note: This book was purchased with my own funds and I was not compensated for this review in any way.
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