Friday, December 29, 2006

Reading: Blood Diamonds

Journalist Greg Campbell leads the reader down the international diamond trail of brutality, horror, and profit - providing an on-the-ground and in-the-mines story of global consequence.

First discovered in 1930, the diamonds of Sierra Leone have funded one of the most savage rebel campaigns in modern history. These "blood diamonds" are smuggled out of West Africa and sold to legitimate diamond jewellery shop in London, Antwerp, and New York, often with the complicity of the international diamond industry. Eventually, these very diamonds find their way into the rings and necklaces of brides and spouses the world over.

Blood Diamonds is the gripping tale of how the diamond smuggling works, how the rebel war has effectively destroyed Sierra Leone and its people, and how the policies of the diamond industry - institutionalized in the 1880s by the De Beers cartel - have allowed it to happen. Award-winning journalist Greg Campbell traces the deadly trail of these diamonds, many of which are brought to the world market by fanatical enemies. These repercussions of diamond smuggling are felt far beyond the borders of the poor and war-ridden country of Sierra Leone, and the consequences of overlooking this African tragedy are both shockingly deadly and unquestionably global. Updated with a new epilogue.

Reading: Jewellery Making

Making jewellery at a professional level has never been so simple with this new guide. Inexpensive materials and cleverly adapted traditional methods make success inevitable.

A book for all skill levels, every technique is photographed step by step with thorough explanation of common pitfalls and how to avoid them. Includes more than 50 original and stunning projects such as an ocatgonal ring, domed ear studs, a forged choker, and a brass bangle. The valuable introduction presents basic skills of simple jewellery making, how to build a collection of tools, types of metal to use and the best design techniques.

I just thumbed through this book in the store and decided to grab it because of the wide scope of information it covered. When I got it home, I read through it more attentively and found a wealth of information on how to get started making unique and remarkable jewelry, well beyond stringing beads! The author covers first the tools, even ways to make your own to start out with to save on start up costs. He then goes into materials. Then starts with an introduction into some very basic processes (like soldering, polishing, etc.). And from then on, introduces techniques and tricks in the form of creative projects. He even talks a bit about the design process and gives tips on things that have helped him (keeping a design journal and a scrapbook of pieces that inspire you).

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Charm bracelet here to stay

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