Review: Vintage Redux

This is an intriguing book – I’m always attracted to the idea of deconstructing and reconstructing jewelry components, but get intimidated. So I’m digging all the great ideas in Vintage Redux: Remake Classic and Collectible Jewelry.

Brenda Schweder not only has a great collection of reconstructed jewelry designs, she’s also written the book around the fact that you may not be able to find the same components in your local thrift stores. So the project instructions are flexible enough to accommodate whatever components you end up working with.

In each project, she shows the “Before” pieces, which are often the sort of costumey things you’re used to seeing in thrift stores. The transformations are pretty incredible – and there’s a whole slew of techniques at work: some drilling, some image transfer, some stringing, some wirework, a little sewing . . . .

I think this ring bracelet is an ingenious idea. Kind of a new take on the charm bracelet. And it could easily be expanded into a cool choker.

This book definitely makes me look differently at brooches! Don’t you love these bracelets?

The book has a good guide, by the way, to cleaning old jewelry pieces, and a very nice set of photo how-tos for basic jewelry-making techniques. I’d say there are definitely projects here for a first-time jewelry-maker, as well as more advanced stuff (i.e, that drill.)

Lots and lots of innovative designs involving mixing various kinds of chain. I love the asymmetry here, and the cameos.

I’m probably showing you some of the simplest designs in Vintage Redux – which is just my taste. There are chunkier, wilder projects as well. One thing that struck me as I was reading was that, even when a project wasn’t something I’d personally wear, if I dug into the instructions, I’d pick up at least one great technique or design idea.

This just about makes me weep – it’s a vintage bag, dressed up with a mix of silk flowers and earrings. Fab-u-lous.

Dang! I forgot to photograph the thimble pendant! It’s lovely – take a look next time you’re in the bookstore.