CHARMS, Ad Infinitum

Can't decide? Want them all? Anxious buyers often express their frustration at having to choose charms from a seemingly endless collection (like Outlander). The problem of course, is simple: the bracelet's length is finite and can fit only so many dangles. Or so it was thought.

Not true.  For some time now, the ability to attach charms to lobster clasps has been available to customers. This allows them to change or rearrange charms at will. If you fancy a particular charm one day, it can simply be switched out with another on the chain. This results in a fully customizable and chunky bracelet! 

Retro-fitting an existing bracelet with clasps is easy. It is available for a minor surcharge when all charms from a collection are purchased to add to the ones already on your bracelet. Contact me at maryfaithpeace@gmail.com if you are interested in this option. 

Go ahead. Start collecting charms!

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?

Your Very Own Outlander Celtic Link Charm Bracelet
 
 

You've probably seen the pictures and wondered, "Where can I get one?" Only to discover (once you found it) a mile-long list of instructions for you to complete - before you could get one. Nothing ventured, nothing gained right?

I've had the pleasure of meeting so many of you while walking through the customization process;
watched while you battled with yourself over which charms to pick; quietly listened to your suggestions to improve the overall design and basked in the 
glow of wondrous feedback!

While I cannot do anything about the lengthy set of instructions (it stays - the price of creating a custom piece) I can ease you into it with this video:



It will particularly aid utterly lost and long-suffering DH's entrusted with Anniversary, Birthday or Christmas presents.

Fear not. I've got your back.

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.

BUILD - A - BRACELET 

A story in pictures

The Game of Thrones "Winter is Coming" 

Themed Chain Mail Charm Bracelet

 Add on faceted glass cubes representing the blocks of ice on "The Wall", along with snowflake dangles and you get a fully loaded bracelet:

Just perfect for any Westeros fan! What are you waiting for? Let's create!

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.

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.

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!

  

PERCY JACKSON, DEMIGODS, CAMP HALF BLOOD, Oh My!

Innovation. I'm constantly looking for it. After months of research & design, I've found a new backdrop for my Book Beads: LEATHER. No better collection to show it off than with the Percy Jackson series. 

Introducing... the Percy Jackson Leather Cord Bracelet:

The natural simplicity of 5 mm thick leather cord is adorned with interchangeable Percy Jackson miniature books. Innovative push clasps make switching mini books a snap! Change your look as often as you want - it’s sure to be an eye catcher!

When it comes to leather cord, Greek leather is of the highest quality. Known for its smooth finish, consistent color, and supple texture, Greek Leather Cord is the perfect backdrop for Book Beads. The thick cord is firm enough to hold its shape and supple enough to mold to your wrist - a perfect complement to this minimalist & contemporary look!

Best of all, it can be worn by men (and women):

 Check out JUST CHARMING! for more details.