Books by Melinda Barta

Mixed Metals | Custom Cool Jewelry | Hip to Stitch

Mixed Metals: Creating Contemporary Jewelry
with Silver, Gold, Copper, Brass & More
- By Melinda Barta & Danielle Fox

Mixed Metals: Creating Contemporary Jewelry with Silver, Gold, Copper, Brass and More

Utilizing stringing and wireworking techniques accessible to beginners, this mixed metal jewelry guide also offers boutique-style designs that will captivate the more experienced beader.

Mixed Metals begins with projects based on each type of metal - Gold, Silver, Base Metals, Faux/other metals and Mixing Metals. Each chapter has background information on that type of metal, from  history, facts, common properties to  care, and cleaning.  Each project has step by step instructions and detailed photography.

With no metalworking required, detailed instructions are provided for 30 unique projects incorporating various metals such as silver, gold, copper, brass, PMC, and more.

 

Custom Cool Jewelry:
Create 200+ Personalized Pendants,
Charms, and Clasps
- By Melinda Barta

Custom Cool Jewelry: Create 200+ Personalized Pendants, Charms, and Clasps

Common craft supplies find new purpose with the stunning, nontraditional jewelry designs in this guidebook.

Basics items such as embossing powder, collage paper, wire, fiber, and fabric can be used to create one-of-a-kind, boutique-style pieces with a personal twist.

Inside you'll find several interesting recycling ideas, such as using old candy or spice tins, pocket watches, lockets, or antique playing cards as the basis for new pieces.

Each project component is shown in a number of color and design variations, inspiring readers to create their own jewelry pieces, and sidebars share insider tips, basic stringing and wirework techniques, and project and shopping resources.

From romantic wire-worked dangles and simple polymer clay beads to fabric charms and baked bead collages, the unconventional use of basic supplies provide a wealth of new possibilities for crafters.

 

Hip To Stitch - By Melinda Barta

Hip to Stitch: 20 Contemporary Projects Embellished with Thread

Ideas for embellishing beautiful garments and home decor to add personal touches are presented with easy, step-by-step instructions, and illustrations.

Sidebar technique sections abound, including tips on bead embroidery and fabric stamping. Generally recommended for public libraries.

Featuring 38 stitch techniques and 20 hand-embroidered projects, you'll learn motifs to dress up a skirt, a guitar pick case, a picnic baby bib, a butterfly picture frame, hand-embroidered pillows, stitched note cards, and heirloom scrapbooks.

Among the 20 projects featured are several inspired by the scrapbooking craze, such as the Day Tripper Bag and the Family Tree Textile Scrapbook.