“Paper Jewelry: 55 Projects for Reusing Paper” is the first book I have read which dealt with recycling various paper for jewelry. The author, Barbara Baumann, has included a wide variety of stylish and extremely wearable projects. The recycled paper utilizes everything from old telephone books to cigarette filters to puzzle pieces and even comic books.
I was surprised at how various paper can be manipulated into such different looks. The projects include many different pieces, including bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and even a belt (and a Bible Belt at that.)
The photographs of the finished projects are outstanding as are those which show the various steps. There are different methods to manipulating the paper and a number of tools which are important to complete the projects in the book.
Toward the end of the book, the author includes chapters on tools and techniques. I am used to seeing this information at the front of a book and was a little concerned that it might not be present. Once I saw that it was, I was happy to know that I would be able to craft the projects properly once I mastered the techniques.
I have made jewelry for years and have even made a few paper origami pieces. I have not really ventured into paper jewelry to any large extent and have definitely not used recycled paper to do so. I have used paper to make new paper in the past and I do recycle, so I was extremely pleased to see the opportunity to take some of the papers I recycle and do so in a way that creates a new and lovely piece of jewelry. There are a number of projects in the book that I will be utilizing before the holiday season in order to make gifts for family and friends.
More than anything, I think this book has caused me to look at previously used paper in a new way. I am looking at colors, textures, shapes, and even the printed used with an artist’s eye. Before I put anything in my recycle bin and even my trash, I am now looking at it to see if there is some way I can turn it into a part of jewelry or other craft element. I am very pleased with this change in my thinking – it will allow me to create new and fun items on a budget and to do so with something that might have been trash otherwise.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, Schiffer Publishing, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. I will be purchasing the paper form of paperback version of this book to keep in my craft library.
