Sparkletastic !

Margot Potter, aka The Impatient Beader, has a taken her love of all that sparkles and transformed into her book, Sparkletastic: Dazzling Jewelry and Fashion Projects for the Discriminating Diva (F&W Publications, $19.99 US; $24.95 CA). As the subtitle suggests, this goes beyond jewelry, including accessories and clothing as well. I have to admit that while I'm a jewelry freak, my heart started going pitter patter when I opened up the book to the first project, A Girl's Life Tote. Along with jewelry, my next love is hand bags, so I loved how she transferred jewelry techniques to creating this hot pink purse.

The organization of the book is just as fun as the projects. Skill levels are divided into Sparkle Virgin (beginning); Sparkle Vixen (intermediate); and Sparkle Goddess (advanced). If you notice the word "sparkle" is all over this place here, so those who are not lovers of glittering things move on.

The brief techniques section covers basic techniques such as opening and closing jump rings and using a rhinestone setter tool (got to get me one of those!). While someone who has never made jewelry might find techniques such as wire wrapped loops a little challenging at first, there is still plenty of Sparkle Virgin level projects.

To say that Potter is working way outside of the jewelry box is an understatment. So, non-crafty lovers beware (is there such an animal?) For those of us who enjoy stretching our love of jewelry making into other craft-type territories such as scrapbooking, stamping, sewing, and decoupage, you'll love this book.