Link It! by Susan Thomas – Book Review
Rubber O-Ring Jewelry, A Contemporary Take on Chain Mail
Sep 27, 2009
Link It!, by Susan Thomas and published by Lark Books, is an interesting read for someone who is looking for something a little different. Susan Thomas has combined some of the most traditional of jewelry making techniques with contemporary rubber o-rings. O-rings are, perhaps, more traditionally thought of as workshop consumables, however in Link It!, Susan Thomas takes an innovative approach using o-rings to make stunning items of jewelry.
Rubber O-Ring Jewelry
The use of rubber o-rings with traditional chain-mail techniques creates lovely tactile items of jewelry. Rubber has a stretchy quality which means that the jewelry is light and comfortable to wear as well as looking great. One of the features of Link It! that really makes it stand out is the use of colors. Susan Thomas has used a wide variety of different colors in her work that makes Link It a visual treat. Some readers may look at a few of the examples and think that this is not the right color combination for them. However there is such a wide variety of colors used throughout the book that the ease of substituting color to create different looks is clearly demonstrated.
Chain Mail Techniques
The techniques are all relatively simple and are clearly demonstrated with step by step guides. Each project uses a combination of rubber o-rings and traditional metal jump-rings. Readers who are unfamiliar with the correct way to open and close jump rings or to join chains together are taught how to do this in the Technique section at the start of the book. There are a few key elements that are used in different designs. Every key element is clearly explained so even a complete beginner will be able to approach the projects.
Jewelry Projects
There are 22 innovative projects in Link It. These include bangles and bracelets as well as earrings and necklaces. All of the projects can be adapted in a variety of ways. Once readers have made a few basic samples they will be able to customize designs and develop their own.
Rubber O-Rings
Rubber o-rings are at the heart of the designs and projects. While traditional rubber o-rings are black, there are colored rubber or neoprene o-rings available that are ideal for craft work. A list of suppliers are credited at the back of Link It! and the 'source' pages on the Lark Book website also detail suppliers. Readers from outside of the United States, however, may have difficulty finding a wide selection of colored o-rings.
Link It! is an exciting and innovative jewelry book. Susan Thomas has an engaging writing style and the instructions are easy to follow. There is plenty of opportunity for readers to work with color to develop their own style. The only real drawback is for readers outside of the United States where the lack of availability of colored o-rings means that creative scope may be limited.
Jewelry Articles at Suite101
 |
