Some more reviews…
I thought I’d share some more feedback for my book to “big up ma bad self”. If you want a copy, you know the drill by now- http://www.penny-dog.co.uk and click on books. You know you want to. By the way, the sequel is in the idea stage with a working title of “Further Adventures in Resin Jewellery”.
Anyway, let’s get down to business!
” Thank you! This book will be a perfect gift. 
“
– Ieva
” Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Well worth the wait of a preorder! If you are into crafting and want to pick up working with resin this book is a great choice!”
– Heather
”Great book, thanks! I’m excited to try some of the things.”
– Lisa
”Fantastic book. Thanks so much!”
– Fiona
Make 50: Week 10…. sort of.
It’s been absolutely MANIC this week what with my knitting needles being featured on Little Cotton Rabbits (http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk), then my book delivery coming and the resulting £60 worth of postage, Comic Relief on Friday and the resulting traffic to http://crafterooshop.folksy.com and then the busiest craft fair of my life yesterday. Seriously, I need a raise!
So my make this week is a bit of a cop-out, as I’ve decided that my book in it’s printed and bound form counts towards this. I will hopefully be back to regular blogging next week (oh, did I tell you I am going to be in a jewellery magazine at the end of this month and a future knitting magazine showcasing my knitting needles?!) and I will be sharing the top 10 most successful marketing strategies according to The Fournaise Marketing Group. “The 10 Global Trends in Marketing Effectiveness Offline and Online” is something I’ve had in my desk for ages at work and forgot about, but it’s actually got some useful points in there. It’s a bit more bedtime reading for me though as I haven’t got all the way through it yet!
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By the way, if you want a copy of my book, my first batch are selling out fast and I can now guarantee that it will be despatched the same day/day after you order now that the backlog has been dealt with. Here’s some of the comments I have had so far, I hope the people who wrote them don’t mind me putting them here!
” I received the e-version of your book. It is terrific! I simply love it….It has everything I like in a book–just enough info to get me started, no extranious and annoying ‘chatter’ (man–I HATE filler in a book).
Well done. Really–well done.”
– Dahn
“My book arrived Thanks - Looks great!”
– Jo
“Got my book this morning hun, love love love it!!!!!!”
– Caroline
“My book from Pennydog has just arrived!!!! How exciting I must go buy resin this instant!”
– Harriet
Owl Swap and Book Progress…
I took part in Meridian’s Owl Swap (http://meridianariel.blogspot.com) and though I’ve not received my parcel yet, my partner Rosina has received hers, so I can now post a picture of what I sent!
My e-book is now no longer a preorder as it is all completed and if you do decide to order it from http://www.penny-dog.co.uk it will be with you within 24 hours of receiving payment. Those who have ordered paperbacks can be reassured that theirs won’t be far behind now, the manuscript went to the printers today, ready for proofing. I know there is at least one typo that needs editing and then it will be printed for real, and I’m hoping I will have them all ready in a couple of weeks! I can’t see how it will be financially viable for selling on Amazon though as they take a huge cut, so much so I will make a loss after printing costs, so I’m trying to negotiate something at the minute… Just for now, don’t order the book from there as I can’t guarantee they will get the business! 
Make 50: Week 3
It’s been a bit quiet on my blog recently for several reasons. Firstly, I’ve been slaving away on my book, working on background things such as getting it registered so that bookshops can order it when it is released, there have been quite a lot of custom orders, I’ve been geocaching and also making enough jewellery out of recycled materials for the “Make Do and Mend” exhibition last weekend:
So I’m back on the Make 50 challenge, and this week it is something I made for this event, made from a recycled book. Just going to list it on Etsy, Folksy and my site today!
Create Your Own Resin Jewellery – the book
I’ve started on my book over the last few days and aim to offer it for sale on 1st March 2009 in e-book form, followed shortly by a limited number of paperback books in a compact 6×9″ size. There will be 12 projects to follow and approximately 80 full colour pages. The e-book will be for sale at £7.99 and the book £12.99 plus p&p. I am starting to offer this as a preorder item, and for a limited time only (until the 15th February) I will be offering the book to preorderers for a special price of £5 for the e-book and £10 for the paperback.
To preorder, click here
Here’s what the book includes!
Contents
Foreword by Cindy Carter from Resin Obsession
Introduction
Resin: The Basics
A description of the properties of polyester and epoxy resins, equipment needed and a guide to mixing resin successfully.
PROJECTS
1) Abalone shell necklaces
Using shells as bezels, embedding starfish, faux pearls and other co-ordinating elements with clear resin.
2) Bottle cap keyrings and magnets
How to print and coat paper for embedding into bottle caps as a ready made bezel.
3) Recycled fabric pendants
Single layer embedding into a ready made mould. Introducing sanding and drilling techniques.
4) Metal leaf jewellery effects
Adding fragments of gold, silver and copper leaf to create precious autumnal jewellery.
5) Swirled dye earrings and bracelets
Introduces transparent and opaque pigments, mix ratios and filling pre-made moulds with part mixed dye.
6) Decal pendants
Create perfectly clear pendants featuring decal transfers.
7) Layering with glitter
Making pieces with three layers for a 3-dimensional effect.
8 ) Making your own moulds
Introducing RTV Silicone and Vinamould, how to use each material, and when to choose one over the other. Shows you how to make a basic band ring mould and stud earring mould.
9) Introducing gelcoat as a glue
Making stud earrings and adhering the posts with gelcoat resin.
10) The ice resin technique
How and when to manipulate part cured resin, and create freeform imitation ice pieces without a mould.
11) Embedding Swarovski stones and gemstones
Selecting the correct drill bit, and affixing stones and Austrian crystal into cured pieces.
12) Plique-a-jour bracelet
Filling hollow objects to create a window effect. This project specifically shows how to fill a cross section of deer antler to create an unusual charm for a bracelet.
Troubleshooting
How to solve commonly faced problems, such as tacky surfaces and cleaning spillages.
Where to buy?
Competition and Poll!
This is a really important post for me. I’m going to make it a sticky for a while so I can get as many votes as possible…
I have written a proposal for a resin jewellery book, which would reveal the secret behind my ice jewellery as well as 9 other projects for the beginner to intermediate resin crafter. Unfortunately, the publishers in this country don’t think there is a market for it. I need you to change that! This competition is mainly for the UK readers, but US ones are welcome to participate (I think it’s only fair).
The prize is one of my ice rings (pictured), and to enter, all you need to do is leave an honest comment to this post.
The two questions I would like you to answer are: Would you buy a resin jewellery craft book? and Where do you live? If you would like to leave further comment on what you would expect from the book, price, whether you would also accept it in e-book form, etc that would be great. The winner will be picked at random on October 25th 2008.
Thank you for your help!
Please vote for me!
I am currently in third place at time of writing in the 1st September Etsy Jewellery Challenge. Please follow this link to vote for your favourite piece, I hope you will choose my Coffee De Brasil pendant!
http://etsychallenge.blogspot.com/2008/09/91-jewelry-challenge.html
I received positive feedback on my book proposal yesterday, which is very encouraging as I’ve not had anything negative said. With any luck “Create Your Own Resin Jewellery” by Kerry Wilkinson will become a reality in about a year’s time! I’m very excited!
