Halloween Raven Pendant Necklace - Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven"

For Halloween, I made a raven necklace of bronze with a black patina and added a crystal eye.   

I took some images of ravens from the internet and resized, then printed them.  As pendants go, this raven is large, about 5 inches beak to tail and almost 3 inches from feet straight up.  I then used a jewelers' saw to cut the pattern out of metal sheet.  I used bronze 18 gauge, but copper would have worked also.  I then sanded the edges real nice because this bird will be laying on my neck and costume!

I then soldered on some flattened wire for the chain attachments to the back of the bird.  I liked the heat patina so I added more to the front surface of the bird for some feather texture.  I added chemical black patina also and rinsed.  After several patina coatings and sandings, I was happy with the look.  I used a 5-minute epoxy to secure the inexpensive crystal eye.

According to Wikipedia.org, In January 1845, Edgar Allan Poe published his poem "The Raven" to instant success.  It made Poe a household name almost instantly,^[61] though he was paid only $9 for its publication.^[62]   

BOOK REVIEW: The Realism Challenge by Mark Crilley

Which is real; which is the painting?  It is very difficult to distinguish!  This book answers in detail, “How do they do that?”  Not being an artist myself, but admiring the process, I really enjoyed reading through this book.  Yes, I skipped through some of the technical sections.  But, the author has the book so simply broken down into the basic subject matter that I feel I walked away with the main points. 

First, you must be able to draw (given).  Second, the book addresses many ways to develop the keen eye for detail needed to produce a realistic drawing.  The first exercises on shadows are to draw a torn paper, a crumpled paper, and a cracked eggshell.  Brilliant!  One exercise I particularly liked was the Toast with Jam because it was comprehensive – the shape of the jam on the toast, the texture of the toast, the shaded coloration of the toast, and so on.  It was a real eye opener!    I can see the benefit to these understandings in my 3D work.

The entire book is filled with exercises and guidance on these drawing and painting topics:  Shadows, color, surfaces, transparent objects, and manufactured objects.

Disclaimer:  This book was provided to me by Blogging for Books with the agreement that I would write an honest review.

Book Review: MAKE A STATEMENT, by Janet Crowther & Katie Covington 25 Handcrafted Jewelry & Accessory Projects

Make a Statement is a wonderful book for the new person looking to make jewelry. The first 40 pages explain materials, tools, and techniques.  There are 100 pages of stylish project details with plenty of photographs.  The cover project necklace enticed me to order the book, but there are several others that I will be making for myself because they are in fashion.  

The projects are necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  However, there is a sampling of a ring, brooch, hair comb, and a shoe ornament.  The authors use fabric, chain, beads, rope, embroidery floss, stones, vintage components, leather, polymer clay, and sewing trims.  There is an excellent listing of resources, but it would be better if the specific resource for materials of each project were identified.  Finding the materials is often the stumbling block for beginners.  Overall, this is an excellent first book with trendy new projects!

Book Review: THE ALLERGY-FIGHTING GARDEN, BY THOMAS LEO OGREN Stop Asthma and Allergies with Smart Landscaping

This is a landmark book for landscaping public spaces, the landscaping and nursery industry, and anyone concerned about asthma and allergies.  Pollen is produced by the male plants, bushes, and trees.  The nursery and landscapers apparently have not been knowledgeable or motivated to plant lower allergy, non-pollen producing female plantings. 

Thomas Ogren, trained in agricultural science, began his study of pollen producing plants to re-landscape his new home for his wife who suffered from asthma and allergies.  This book is a culmination of more than thirty years of research.

The Allergy-Fighting Garden book is primarily a reference for the professionals in the horticulture industries.  After a 38 page explanation, there is a dictionary style listing of plant materials, wonderfully detailed, some with color photos.  The author, Ogren, invented the first allergy ranking scale (now used by the USDA) and assigned a rank from 1 to 10 for each plant in the book.  This book could be used by a Master Gardener or a very determined homeowner.  My advice to homeowners is to go to the website first (safegardening.org) or mention the author’s name at your nursery and your desire to purchase low-pollen plants.  

Disclosure:  I received this book at no cost to review from Blogging for Books.com.

Book Review: Go Ahead & Like It

Go Ahead & Like It

Jacqueline Suskin

This is a quick-read book offering a unique method for feeling good about life again.  Have you heard the advice that happiness is all about how we view things?  It is not obtained through external events, rather in how we view ourselves and the world.  We are in control of our happiness.  But, sometimes external events overwhelm and this book offers one method to prompt positive reflection. 

The author simply writes lists of what she likes.  She has done this since she was young.  Take this one step further to intimacy.  She shares her ‘I like’ lists with friends and perhaps acquaintances.  She shares many list examples in the book, her history of list making, and preferred situations for listing.

I like the “I like” lists because they are spontaneous, freeing, quick, and can be done anywhere / anytime.  I like birds flying, purple flowers, sounds that I can identify, clean sheets, and a good stretch.

I almost did not select this book because the cover title was small and the short introductory paragraph on the internet was not clear whether the book was to spark creativity or to help me organize my life.  I think the lists could be a useful creativity exercise.

Disclosure:  I received this book at no cost to review from Blogging for Books.com.