A Bevy of Books and DVDs and Big Changes at Studio Madge!

Hey Howdy Hey!

Behind the scenes here at Studio Madge, there are some pretty big things happening. I can't talk about them yet, but it's been a whirlwind. These things are going to have a huge impact on my career, this blog, my viral marketing efforts, every aspect of my life. There are endless little details to be worked out and clarified and there are huge decisions to be made and quite frankly, it's always unsettling to stand in the face of big changes. I'm just taking it one moment at a time and trying not to let it overwhelm me.

Life just keeps moving forward and we have to either jump on the train or get run over!

I have been so busy this summer that I've not had a lot of time for book reviews. Please forgive me if you've sent me a book and I've not yet posted about it. Since my work load is about to increase ten fold, I'm going to do some book recommendations today. Call them mini-reviews, if you will.

First congrats to Gina Rath for winning the final free copy of my book Bead Chic. Please forward your snail mail to margot@margotpotter.com. I've been buried, but I promise to get all of the prize copies out a.s.a.p.! Hang in there! If you have the book and you like it, please consider leaving a little review for me on Amazon. The more good reviews it gets, the better it's going to sell and my kid really needs some back to school clothes!

Also one of my Bead Chic contributors, Angela Bannatyne of Avenue A is giving away a copy of Bead Chic AND the gorgeous necklace she created for the book. Go to her blog and leave a comment to win.


If you've not met the force of nature that is Shannon Okey a.k.a. Knitgrrl, you've really been missing out. She's not only a smart cookie, a best selling author and one of the top experts in the knitting community, but she's a terrific writer and a superstar at self promotion. Even if you don't knit, her new book The Knitgrrl Guide to Professional Knitwear Design is overflowing with fabulous advice for building a career as a design expert through writing books, magazine submissions, direct sales and online marketing efforts. Shannon talks in frank detail about contracts, publishing and every aspect of what it takes to make your expertise into a full time career. I have a free copy of this book to give away today...and believe me when I tell you you'll love it. Get this book, Shannon knows of what she speaks. Trust me. Leave a comment to win and I'll announce a winner next week.

I DO NOT have 'free copies' of the remaining items, just reviews and links to places you can buy them! Believe me, they're all worth the price of admission. I simply can't part with them...that's how good they are!



I recently received two absolutely amazing DVDs from Interweave created by the uber talented Ronna Sarvas Weltman. These are master classes with a master artist and well worth adding to your craft library. Metalwork is a primer for shaping, texturing and antiquing wireworked jewelry and Mixed Media: How to Make Polymer Clay Beads shares how to condition, shape, cure and texture poly clay beads. Ronna includes information about color, trouble shooting common clay issues and shares a host of innovative techniques. Good stuff abounding in both of these DVDs.


I was also sent a fabulous book to peruse from the fine folks at Interweave Press by renowned author and jewelry designer Lisa Niven Kelly of Beaducation.com. Stamped Metal Jewelry is a must have for any jewelry maker who wants to explore metal working. You'll learn how to stamp, texture, form, punch and rivet metal into designer style jewelry. Lisa shows you how to
oxidize, polish, cut, saw and dap metal blanks and sheet metal through gorgeous projects that will ignite your creative imagination. There's even a bonus DVD with the book! If you've been itching to try something new, this book is just what the bead doctor ordered.

Oh and one more thing! My aunt Shane Devine has a song on the rotation at Women of Substance radio! She's hoping to get 'You're a Part of Me' into the top ten, so if you can pop by and give her a thumbs up that would be fabulous! Kudos, Shane!

Love,
Madge

Book Review: Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry with DVD by Kate McKinnon

Book Review
Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry with DVD: Techniques and Explorations
Kate McKinnon
Interweave Press

There is something to be said for an artist who focuses entirely on one medium with a relentless specificity.  What happens is an alchemy of sorts, a magic that can only be forged from patience, tenacity and the willingness to dig deep and make glorious mistakes and in the process make amazing discoveries.  Saul Bell Design Award winning artist Kate McKinnon is that type of artist and her work with metal clay has changed the way people approach the medium and inspired countless other artists in the process.  Kate is a straight shooter and a smart cookie with a wonderfully wicked sense of humor.  I don't know any other artist in the instructional jewelry making world who has such a singular dedication to her medium and a willingness to share what she's discovered with others with such generosity of spirit. Her new book Sculptural Metal Clay Jewelry for Interweave Press is the most comprehensive, concise and detailed exploration of this medium that I have ever seen.  If you're interested in metal clay, you absolutely have to add this book to your shelves.  

Not only is the book stunningly gorgeous, it's meticulously written and every aspect of working with metal clay is covered in painstaking detail.  Kate takes you through tools, kilns, torches.  You'll learn the properties of this unique medium and how to achieve success while working with it. You'll learn how to create bead caps, soldered metal rings, metal clay rings, head pins, charms, clasps, prongs, rivets, armatures and much more.  Kate is a huge proponent of safety and she shares what she's learned about the proper way to fire and finish your pieces to avoid exposing yourself to toxic fumes or particulate matter. 

This book is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to an art form.  You will benefit from Kate's journey and you will come out of the other side altered forever.  The writing is extraordinary, the photographs are stunning and the addition of a 60 minute DVD with key techniques taught by Kate in her studio makes this an unparalleled value. Kate's approach to design as a dimensional exploration appeals to me immensely.  I'm particularly smitten with her kinetic designs that incorporate spinning elements and images and her tiny skyscrapers.  This is a book lovingly created by an inspirational artist and writer that speaks to the artist in everyone.  It's a lovely gift and one from which everyone who reads it will benefit. 

Margot Potter
Author The Impatient Beader Series and Beyond the Bead