CREATIVE COLLABORATION

Photo courtesy of D. Evans

Last month, I was fortunate enough to be part of a joint effort to create a truly OOAK gift! Author Suzan Lauder, had just recently released her book "Alias Thomas Bennett" and wanted to celebrate this by creating a truly special gift for her friends in the publishing world who helped make it all happen. It was her vision that created these truly whimsical pieces:

- from the adjustable colored pencil bracelet by Miceart to the polymer clay mini book charm from Book Beads - all were inspired by her written word! The perfect eye candy for any bibliophile, wouldn't you say?

Book Beads on MOBILE

NEW! A simpler version of my site is now available for mobile devices:

It is a no-frills, minimal graphics-driven place designed for the curious casual browser. Split into forms, the simple navigation screens guide the user step-by-step through the checkout process. 

TIP: To experience the power & full extent of custom designing a piece for yourself and/or viewing the entire Gallery, it is best to access my MAIN site via your PC/Mac. There, you have everything at your fingertips. 

2013 Jane Austen Collection

It's been a few years since I introduced a tribute to Jane Austen with Book Beads. Thanks to you, this was met with much enthusiasm and has become a resounding success. How to build on this? I decided I couldn't go wrong incorporating three themes: Regency, floral prints, ladies of fashion. Without further ado, may I present....the 2013 Jane Austen Collection. 

Sculpted out of polymer clay, book beads are burnished, fired, sealed & glazed before being configured for the end piece (earrings, bracelet, necklace etc.) it was meant to be. It takes about 3 weeks from start to finish, to complete a bead. Their cut, clarity of image, size and durability are without rival -  a fitting tribute to the timeless Jane Austen!   Whether you want something a la carte or wish to custom design an item just for you, come and visit our MAIN site or via Etsy. There's bound to be something there to feed your inner book geek.

MOTHER'S DAY is MAY 12, 2013

It took an Outlandishly Long Time

I started in May (2012). And just now finished. What, you say? The monumental task of re-sculpting the entire Outlander series of Book Beads!

Every book/edition has been re-done. In sharp, crisp, vibrant colors! It's part of the ongoing store remodel. So watch out for new (& old) designs based on Jamie and the gang in the coming weeks. Time to play!

An Open Letter from an Author

(Reproduced with Permission)

From time to time, I get surprising feedback - in a BIG way. Here's one from author, Nikki Stafford.

Stretch Cuff Bracelet of Nikki's Books

Hi there!
My name is Nikki Stafford, and recently some friends of mine, Ensley and Dale G., had you custom-make a bracelet of 7 books I'd written (5 on Lost, one Buffy, one Angel). They sent it to me as a surprise, and I was floored. Just this morning, Ensley told me you were responsible, and I just wanted to write to say thank you!! It's absolutely stunning, and one of my most cherished possessions. I've always wanted to take the covers of my books and mount them onto the wall, and this is much, much better. I especially love how you put my name on the spines!!

Your work is beautiful. Thank you so much.

All the best,
Nikki Stafford

I'm always happy to hear back from folks. It brings each project back full circle: I can say goodbye to a piece knowing that it's in good hands. Makes all the hard work worth it. Definitely. 


Thanks Nikki, Ensley & Dale  for allowing me to be part of your memories -  even in a miniature way!

Find out more about Nikki and her books at her blog or her Facebook page.

UNRAVELING THE MILLENIUM  TRILOGY

The best selling novels by the late Stieg Larsson were originally written in Swedish.  In fact, when I first started researching the books, I was soooo confused because the Swedish titles did NOT correspond to the English ones.  For example, the first book, Män som hatar kvinnor, literally Men Who Hate Women IS actually The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo here in the US. (A big "thank you" to my sister-in-law, JB, who translated the various editions for me.) 

Front: US covers   Back:UK covers

I didn't have a clue - at first. Why in the world would you title a thriller, "Men Who Hate Women"? Apparently, US editors agreed with this assessment and promptly switched to a more "provocative" handle. But get this: when Larsson was a teenager, he witnessed the gang rape of a girl, which led to his lifelong abhorrence of violence against women. Having failed to help the girl, he made it his mission to combat sexual abuse against women through his writing. Ergo: Men Who Hate Women.

 

The editing didn't extend to the book covers though, in my opinion. The US editions come in plain, garden variety text-on-background staging. Nothing there to reel you in. A sure case of "don't judge a book by its cover". If my sister-in-law hadn't been gushing over the trilogy (along with the many great reviewers on Amazon), I probably wouldn't have picked it up.

The main female lead, Lisbeth Salander, features prominently in the UK covers. She is a twenty-something punk with poor social skills, relying on her intelligence and photographic memory to solve cases. Paired with investigative journalist, Mikael Blomkvist, who works for the magazine, Millenium, the two team up to solve crimes.

It is thought that at least half a dozen books were planned in the series, with Larsson having written most of a 4th book before his untimely death.  An American film adaptation of the first book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is slated to hit theaters Dec. 21, 2011.

For information on the Millenium Trilogy Collection, visit Just Charming!

UPDATE: Apparently, Lisbeth Salander's "look" is now a major fashion movement in Europe:

H&M is launching a limited edition line "Millenium Look" in some selected stores in Europe beginning 28 Nov in Colette in Paris, 14 December in H&M stores in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Utrecht and Eindhoven as well as online!

  

Thanks to my alert sis-in-law, JB, correspondent-extraordinaire from Holland.

A TRIBUTE TO DOROTHY DUNNETT

Scottish historical novelist, Lady Dorothy Dunnett, is best known for her six-part series on Sir Francis Crawford of Lymond. Also an exhibited portrait painter, Lady Dunnett started writing because her husband egged her on to do so, after she complained of having nothing else of interest to read. Behold, The Lymond Chronicles were born!

The colorful panoramic scenery of the UK editions grace the front covers of the book beads. The back sides feature the monochromatic US edition brownscapes. Both cleverly depict mid-sixteenth century Europe and the Mediterranean, while following the life of nobleman, Francis Crawford. 

 

Meticulously researched, the series is a suspenseful tale of adventure and romance, filled with action, intense drama, poetry, culture and high comedy. It is NOT an easy read, specially her earlier works.

 

You must slug through it though, because the rewards are many and HUGE! Once began, it is impossible to put down.

SO, before there was J. K. Rowling, Edinburgh had Dorothy Dunnett. This is my homage to her. Cheers, Lady Dunnett!

Information on The Lymond Chronicles collection can be seen at Just Charming!

TURKEY, THANKSGIVING and TINTIN?

The turkey has been consumed. Waistbands stretched. Leftovers inevitable. The sale papers absently discarded as you move on to the next day's sales. 

Braving the crowds at Target today, I came across a childhood comic book favorite: The Adventures of Tintin. Beautifully illustrated, Herge's classics come to life with vibrant colors and funny tales. Brings back memories!

In honor of my DH, who has collected The Adventures of Tintin series since he was a little boy, the Tintin Book Beads have come to life:

The collection includes 12 beloved titles from The Adventures of Tintin series split into 6 books (I’ve collaged different titles in the front (F) and back (B) of each book bead):

1) Secret of the Unicorn (F) with Cigars of the Pharaoh(B)

2) Tintin in America (F) with Tintin in the Congo (B)

3) The Blue Lotus (F) with Prisoners of the Sun (B)

4) Red Rackham’s Treasure (F) with The Seven Crystal Balls (B)

5) Tintin in Tibet (F) with Tintin in the Land of the Soviets (B)

6) Destination Moon (F) with Explorers on the Moon (B)

 The Tintin mini book charms can be used as earrings,

 

strung on a leather cord necklace,

 

adorably used as stitch markers for knitting or crochet,

 

or creatively linked on a thick leather cord bracelet (for men & women):

The applications are only limited by your imagination.Check out Just Charming! for details.

THE WONDER OF THE EPIC FANTASY SERIES,

SONG OF ICE and FIRE

Before HBO developed the TV series "Game of Thrones", it was a best-selling book first (aren't they all?) by George R. R. Martin. 

To date, five books have been published (the latest in July 2011) with two more planned, to complete the series. 

If you loved Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, then you will recognize structural similarities with the Song of Ice and Fire series. 

Lengthy tomes, the series follows three major story lines in the fictitious Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. While Martin has created a world all his own, there are elements of the medieval period (and recent history) in the stories.

It is "grittier" and is written for adults (in my opinion), as Martin writes frankly of violence, politics and sex. 

The series rests on its own laurels and I am happy to include it in my Book Beads gallery.

Check out Just Charming! for more details.

 

BOOKS & LEATHER:

From Atlas Shrugged to Harry Potter

COMPLETING THE COLLECTION: 

Atlas Shrugged Leather Cord Bracelet 

The natural simplicity of thick leather cord is adorned with Ayn Rand’s magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged. Innovative push clasps make putting on the bracelet a snap! 

 

Atlas Shrugged, first published in 1957, includes elements of mystery and science fiction. It brings to the forefront Ayn Rand’s unique philosophy of Objectivism & expresses her concept of human achievement. It received largely negative reviews after being published, but has achieved enduring popularity over the decades. I have collaged the first edition cover in the back (B) with the 1999 edition re-issue  in front (F) to create a nice memento of the piece. It is a nice addition to the pair of matching earrings featured here earlier.

  

THEN, THERE'S HARRY - 

HARRY POTTER i.e.

Finally, a thick leather cord bracelet that can be worn by male and female Potter fans alike! 

The set includes all 10 book beads so change your look as often as you want - it's sure to be an eye catcher!

For details on both bracelets, check out Just Charming!

  

A TRIBUTE (In Clay) TO AYN RAND 

Presenting a PAIR of perfectly matched earrings from Ayn Rand’s magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged. I’ve collaged the 1999 re-issued edition in the front (F) with the corresponding first edition in the back (B). It’s sure to be an eye catcher!

The mix and match earrings measure a tad shorter than 2 inches (48 mm) long, from the top of the Sterling Silver (yep, an upgrade!) French hook to the tip of the mini book pendant.   A complimentary set of clear plastic earring backs is provided. Use it and you won’t lose it!  

A bracelet completes the collection (coming soon)! Check out Just Charming! for details.

A SHARED CREATION FOR HARRY 

Harry Potter, that is.  One powerful literary figure that has inspired artisans to create. Now "jointly".

Presenting the Harry Potter felted scarf bookmark by Laurie:

Hand knit from Peruvian wool (click to enlarge and see texture), it is adorned with one of my Harry Potter book beads (The Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone).

I use "jointly" loosely, since all the creating was done by Laurie. (I simply gave her permission to use the book bead). It is a beautiful stocking stuffer for your Potter fan! What are you waiting for? Head on to her shop,  Do You Like My Hat? for details.

WELCOME BACK, PERCY JACKSON!

I got a ton of requests awhile back to fashion Rick Riordan's best-selling series, "Percy Jackson" into Book Beads. I will admit to a little reticence, due in part to the presence of Percy Jackson's Camp Half Blood beads already in my gallery. I didn't want to be redundant, you see. But then, inspiration struck and I found  new ways to link book beads! You will get the chance to see these new designs as I slowly preview them here and unveil them at the store.

For starters, let me present the Percy Jackson Book Bead collection,

 

featuring John Rocco's beautiful US covers in front, collaged with the UK editions in the back.

Let's begin with the Percy Jackson mini book earrings,

sure to please any lady demi-gods on your list! Also, starting today, you will have the option of upgrading to 925 Sterling Silver ear wires.  Check out Just Charming! for details.

Feed Your "True Blood" Fettish

This is dedicated to all Sookie Stackhouse fans, 

and/or True Blood lovers and fang bangers alike:

Featuring 10 of 11 published books by Charlaine Harris, the interchangeable book beads can be worn by him or her (unisex). Dangling from a thick leather cord, it's pretty cool! Check out Just Charming! for details.

SOOKIE FOR YOUR EARS

Turn heads with a selection of Book Bead earrings from Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Mysteries. Durable, light-weight and eye-catching, the True Blood stories have never been more visible than right there dangling from your ear lobes:

Check out Just Charming! for more details.

Telepaths, Vampires, Fang Bangers Oh My! 

Fans of Sookie Stackhouse from the Southern Vampire Mysteries created by acclaimed author Charlaine Harris will be thrilled with the newest collection of Book Beads:

 

Made of durable polymer clay, the original covers have been collaged with the True Blood editions of the series:

The collection includes 10 of the 11 books in the series to date. Harris has hinted at ending the series with 13 books. To learn more about these adorable pendants, check out Just Charming!

INTRODUCING

FROM BOOKS TO BROADWAY COLLECTION

Roll out the red carpet for...

 

My tribute in clay to these classic tales turned musicals on Broadway. Their cut, clarity of image, size and finished design are without rival! Turn heads with your favorite books. Check out Just Charming! for details, home of fine Book Beads.