Weekend DIY + a book review

Anyone who is a regular reader here at Coffee and Cardigans knows that I love a good DIY project. Which made the chance to review the how-to book Junk Box Jewelry from Zest Books a perfect opportunity. The book, written by Sarah Drew, is full of 25 low-cost DIY jewelry projects that could fit in with any skill set or sense of style. This book was a fun experience all around. From starting a project to where to sell your DIY crafts afterwards, it's full of ideas and advice.

Of course, I had to try out at least one of the DIY projects before I shared the book with you guys. But it was hard to decide where to begin since there were so many ideas. So what did I decide to make? A vintage-inspired bead necklace. There aren't many pictures of each project - which is a shame, since the photography is lovely - but the written directions were easy enough to follow along. Especially since this was my first attempt at wire-work.

I had to pick up beads and wire at the craft store for this particular project, but the book does a good job of keeping budget-friendly DIY ideas in mind. I cut three equal pieces of 0.6MM wire, wrapped one strand around the other two, and then started a classic braid. But each time I braided, I slipped a bead before I crossed the wires. When I was finished, I created loops at the end and twisted extra wire around the end for a clean look.

The book calls for a chain and clasp, but I improvised some pretty black ribbon I already had in my craft drawer. The book also recommends attaching a broach or pin to dress up the braided beads, but I actually like the simple look. There's a simple sophistication to the necklace, but I think it would be cute way to dress up jeans and a tank.

A big thank you to Zest Books for letting me review and share Junk Box Jewelry - and one of the fun projects - with Coffee and Cardigans readers. It's definitely a book I would recommend and a great place to start if you're just now exploring DIY and crafting. You can find more information on Junk Box Jewelry directly from the publisher's website!

Disclaimer: Like all reviews on Coffee and Cardigans, this post contains only my honest opinion. I received a free copy of Junk Box Jewelry from the publisher to review and keep. I was not compensated in any other way.