Handiwork more than tea cozies

Jewelry making often conjures up an image of middle-aged soccer moms selling crocheted frog earrings at the local senior center craft fair. I would know: I've seen it.

But nowadays handiwork is more than just tea cozies and hemp bracelets. It's a stylish way to accessorize yourself without emptying your pocketbook. After all, the price of one pair of earrings will get you enough beads and hardware to make at least three times that for you and anyone you deem worthy to give them to.

And they look fabulous.

So how does one get into the sometimes tricky art of making jewelry? To find out I talked to jewelry designer Tammy Powley (http://www.tammypowley.com/), from Port St. Lucie, Florida. Powley is the author of several books on jewelry design as well as a few popular beading Web logs, which she updates regularly.

She was also the creative consultant for "Jewelry Making and Beading For Dummies," part of the famous "For Dummies" series we all secretly read.

I was intrigued by a series of accessories she had designed based on characters in some of Jane Austen's famous novels.

"I'm a huge Janeite," Powley said, "so I thought it would be fun to create jewelry around her novels and sort of connect her characters' personalities to the jewelry pieces."

Definitely better than crocheted frogs.

So what exactly is the benefit of making your own jewelry? First of all, you don't need to have mastered biochemistry to start it up.

"It's a hobby where anyone can pick up the basics pretty quickly," Powley said. In fact, she has a series of step-by-step "how-tos" on her Web logs — which made my first attempt a lot easier.

Colleen Evans of Prunedale, who works at Avalon Beads in Salinas, said she loves having unique adornments, which is why she makes almost all her own jewelry.

"You can design whatever you want and nobody else has it," Evans said. "I love that no one's going to have it but me."

It's also about the reward of creating something beautiful. If you're like me and can't draw or sew clothing worth a half-penny, jewelry-making is a great way to express your artistic side. Not to mention be able to make jewelry that perfectly matches your bag and shoes. Ultimate accessorizing!

"It's really a way to incorporate your artwork into the everyday, because you can wear it," Powley said. "A painting you hang on the wall and appreciate, but then at some point you have to leave the room."
Source: thecalifornian