Lark Crafts recently sent me four books from its 30-Minute series: 30-Minute Earrings, 30-Minute Bracelets, 30-Minute Rings, and 30-Minute Necklaces. I have actually written book reviews for a number of these over at the About.com Jewelry Making site (the earrings book, the necklaces book, and the rings book). The basic premise for all the books is that a group of jewelry designers are asked to create a piece of jewelry that can be made in 30 minutes or less. Since I can’t do any kind of contest of give-away at the About.com site, I thought I would run one over here on my personal blog.
So for the month of July 2012, I will run the give-away. Comment once only any time up to July 31, 2012 midnight eastern time. Then during the first few days in August 2012, I will randomly pick four winners, one for each book. Make sure to include your email address when commenting. I will email the winners who will have 5 days after the drawing to reply back with a mailing address. Anyone who does not reply after 5 days will no longer be eligible to win, and I will draw a new winner.
I’m asking my readers to comment on these prompts:
What piece of jewelry is your favorite to wear, as in you would feel weird if you walked out the door without this on, earrings, necklace, bracelet, or ring? For those who make jewelry, also tell me your favorite type of jewelry to make (again earrings, necklace, bracelet, or ring) and why?
Good luck to everyone, and please feel free to give this post some social networking love!
July 1, 2012 at 10:20 am
My favorite to make is handmade chain for necklaces! I usually start by making a pendant, and then make a handmade chain/necklace to accompany and compliment it.
July 1, 2012 at 10:27 am
I would feel weird to walk out the door without earrings on. They are my favorite accessory and can really change the look of any outfit. My favorite thing to make is bracelets, at the moment.
I love the name of your blog 🙂
July 1, 2012 at 10:27 am
I’ve made necklaces and earrings. I like to make anything that’s easy but doesn’t look it, LOL.
July 1, 2012 at 10:48 am
Favorite to wear: earrings–never leave the house without them. I feel naked if I’m not wearing earrings!
Favorite to make: bracelets–smaller than a necklace, and I can easily see my creations when I wear them.
Least in both categories is rings. I’m not a ring person. I only wear my wedding ring, and the only ring I’ve ever made was a toe ring (which I wore maybe once; not the most comfortable things, IMO).
July 1, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Earrings are my favorite piece of jewelry to wear, as in I would feel weird if I walked out the door without this on even going to work. If I were going out for the evening or a special occasion a necklace would be added to this and possibly a bracelet and ring. My favorite type of jewelry to make is mixed media necklaces, earrings,and bracelets in that order. I have not made any rings yet but they are on the horizon. My favorite metal is copper and I would love to make rings out of that and other mixed media.
July 1, 2012 at 1:20 pm
the cover is beautiful & i can learn a few new ring making techniques! thanks.
July 1, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Question 1 is a tough one because I never leave home without earrings, ring AND bracelet. If I have to choose one, I guess earrings. (That’s not counting watch and wedding ring which are on 24/7.)
For making, I love earrings because of their incredible versatility.
July 1, 2012 at 2:39 pm
I always, always, always wear earrings. Even if I’m going to the gym or going to spend the day in pajamas (but I don’t sleep in them). I feel completely naked without them!
As for making jewelry, that’s a toss up and depends upon the day. Lately I’ve been into necklaces. It used to be bracelets (and that’s what my customers buy the most). Earrings I love to make when I’m feeling blank-minded — I have a box that is ONLY pairs of things, so all I have to do is pick up the box and sort!
July 1, 2012 at 4:10 pm
My wedding rings. They are the only pieces of jewelry i wear consistently.
My favorite peices to make are my formfolded and etched cuffs. I love the serendipity of them!
July 1, 2012 at 11:26 pm
I always wear my engagement and wedding rings. without them i really feel naked and incomplete (shows how much i love my hubby!) And i really love making bracelets.with the, i can express how i feel or what i am thinking at that time. When you see a variety of colorful charms and beads of different size and shapes, i was very happy when i made it. but when you see simple beads of one or just two strands, i was calm, contented and relaxed at the time i made it.
July 1, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Out of all my jewelry I wear my earrings. They are the most beloved gifts from my husband (also my wedding ring) and I have some gifts from my grandmother from long ago.
I make earrings for my sisters. The earrings are fast to make & don’t require much material. They are fast to make too.
July 2, 2012 at 12:04 am
I wear always RING! All kind of them: SS, gold, base metal.
And for making: wire wrapping and metal clay. Don’t like to make bracelet so much, but ring, necklace and earrings.
Thank you for this fabulous Giveaway. Fingers crossed for me 😉
July 2, 2012 at 12:42 am
I just have to wear earrings wherever I go. I also love to make them. It’s exciting to complete a pair of earrings in a short time. 😉
July 2, 2012 at 1:13 am
I always wear my silver bangle. It’s just a plain bangle which my boyfriend gave me. I’ve been wearing it for a good few yeas now and it’s really bashed up but I always have it on.
As for jewellery I make, I love making bracelets. I always have more bracelets than anything in my etsy shop!
July 2, 2012 at 6:29 am
I love to wear necklaces, any style, size or color! And I love to make them but I need to branch out and work on some bracelets, it’s my goal for the summer. Thanks for the giveaway.
July 2, 2012 at 9:23 am
I create seed beaded designs, rich in detail, lots of embellishment and sparkle. I can go without rings, and can live without earrings, since they’re hard to see through the hair anyway – but I can, never, EVER, leave the house without a statement piece necklace! Second to that – I also feel naked without loads of bracelets, and am usually wearing two or three – or more – at a time.
Thanks for the opportunity for some fun summer freebies!
Sheryl
Cool Moon Creations
July 2, 2012 at 10:00 am
I would feel lost with out it all!! I have a necklace I never take off, my rings are always on my fingers and my bracelets only come off when I shower – I usually even sleep in them!
Earrings are my favorite to make, but lately I’ve been really into bracelets and necklaces – more so than normal. There’s just too many fun beads and mediums to play with right now and so it’s hard to choose!
Thanks for hosting a great give-a-way. Lark books always puts out such amazing books!
July 2, 2012 at 10:31 am
I cannot leave the house without my two favorite rings on! I love to make all jewelry but right now I favor bracelets.
July 2, 2012 at 10:47 am
I cannot leave the house without earrings. Leaving my wedding rings in the cleaning solution doesn’t even register with me for hours when I do it, but not having earrings on makes me feel like I’m only partially dressed and definitely “missing” something.
My favorite thing to make: Bracelets. They aren’t as time-consuming as necklaces, but still allow for a lot of creativity. My wrist is quite small, so most store-bought bracelets end up being much too big. I started making bracelets mostly so I would have jewelry that fit.
July 2, 2012 at 11:21 am
I love to make all jewelry but would be completely naked without my earrings and bracelets. Jewelry is the frosting.
July 2, 2012 at 11:49 am
I Can’t leave the house w/o my earrings on. I make earrings, bracelets and necklaces..Earrings are my favorite because so many people love to wear them and say they make them feel better (me too).
July 2, 2012 at 12:28 pm
I generally don’t leave the house without wearing earrings. My hair is very short, and my earrings are readily seen. Love getting positive comments on what I make!! Currently working on making more earrings. I need more of a variety and have plenty of hanging/storage space to fill. Love these books!! Think I might buy a few even if I don’t win.
July 2, 2012 at 1:04 pm
I’m new to beading/jewelry making; saw your post on Ravelry and would just be ever so grateful to have a book to help me along. Wouldn’t matter to me which one. I’m certain I have lots to learn in all these categories. Whether I win or not, thanks for posting the links!
July 2, 2012 at 1:47 pm
I feel totally lost without earrings and my wedding band (of course). I love making earrings because they’re quick and I’m an instant gratification sort of person.
July 2, 2012 at 3:44 pm
I cannot leave the house without earrings on. Even if my hair is wrapped in a scarf, I don’t feel as bad if I have on nice earrings. Great contest, I’ve been looking into jewelry making but didn’t know where to start. 30 minutes is very doable.
July 2, 2012 at 5:46 pm
bracelets are my favorite thing to make & wear- i can always see a bracelet when i’m wearing it, & it cheers me up throughout my day 🙂
July 2, 2012 at 6:27 pm
The only jewelry I wear often enough to feel weird with out are earrings. I have rings and bracelets that I love wearing, but can’t wear at work.. so the rest of the jewelry can only be worn after work or on days off.
My favorite jewelry too make…tough one. Earrings are so quick and fun, but bracelets and necklaces are fun but slightly more time consuming and challenging at times. I love making them all though. I haven’t made enough rings to really comment on them. lol
July 2, 2012 at 7:34 pm
I do not leave the house without earrings. They are what made me interested in making my own glass beads and jewelry. I have to force myself to wear bracelets and really sometimes am just lazy about necklaces. I never change my rings, My wedding on one hand and my birthstone (paid for by my mom selling her paintings for my 16th birthday) ring on the other.
I always try to visualize a new glass bead style as earrings before anything else. I just love to design earrings.
July 3, 2012 at 2:23 am
Earrings!
I can’t leave the house without them or I feel naked!
And they are such fun things to make, usually quick and you can try anything new on them as they are small.
July 3, 2012 at 4:47 am
I love earrings. I have short hair and they make a statement. I love to make necklaces. I have more freedom when making them.
July 3, 2012 at 10:36 am
When i get a rare night out I always wear earring, which i normally make myself, But i also love wearing chunky rings also, so it would have to be either or, great books, need to look these up on amazon,
July 5, 2012 at 1:52 pm
Bracelets! For some reason, I feel almost naked without my usual 2 bracelets. In fact, I am so attached to them, I rarely wear others, which is a shame!
July 5, 2012 at 8:25 pm
I never walk out the door with out my wedding ring from my husband and also my Grandmother’s wedding band on my other hand. I keep them both, close at heart.
My favorite thing to make is bracelets. I do micromacrame, adding stones or pearls. I am wanting to expand my craft making!
July 5, 2012 at 9:27 pm
This is my first time here. I found you through A Bead A Day. I find it hardest to walk out the door without earrings. I just don’t feel completely dressed without them. That being said, I have a chain maille bracelet that I wear 24/7…unless it just doesn’t go with what I’m wearing, then I’ll switch it up.
I like making all types of jewelry, and seem to go through phases or choose a project based on time. When I want instant gratification I make earrings. When I have more time to play I usually make necklaces with coordinating earrings. Funny though,the 30 minute bracelets was the most intriguing to me, probably because that’s where I need the most inspiration.;)
Thank you for the opportunity to win some fun summer giveaways!
July 6, 2012 at 4:44 pm
I never leave home without my engagement/wedding/anniversary rings on. Not an earring wearer, but make them for my friends. My favorite item to make is wire-wrapped shell/seaglass pendants and multistrand necklaces.
Thanks for the opportunity to win one of these lovely books.
Linda
July 7, 2012 at 8:49 am
Necklaces are my thing. I love medium-sized pendants on long chains and cording. This fits my casual-country lifestyle just fine.
July 7, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Earrings are what I always wear, I have very little hair so they provide some interest around my face. I also make my own.
July 7, 2012 at 5:28 pm
I never leave the house without my rings. Necklaces are my favorite thing to make. I often make up a quick necklace to wear with the outfit I have on. Thanks for the chance to win some great looking books.
July 7, 2012 at 6:57 pm
I never leave home without my diamond earrings. Although I love my husband and have no problem with being faithful to him, I just cannot be faithful to one wedding band. Some days, I wear one, some days a different one, and some days none at all.
My favorite jewelry to make is a bracelet. I especially love to forge bracelets, and heating up the metal, banging it out…oh, what joy on a bad day.
Great topic. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
July 7, 2012 at 9:26 pm
It is hard to say which one I would be lost without. It would be a toss up between my rings and bracelets. I wear 2 rings on each hand and a bracelet on each wrist. I don’t wear watch any more. prefer bracelet over watches.
July 8, 2012 at 10:32 am
I always wear a necklace. I feel naked without one… And I always wear my wedding rings. Thanks for a chance to win! 🙂
July 8, 2012 at 11:35 pm
I will not leave home with my earrings and bracelets on. I feel naked without them on and I constantly play with my bracelet when I have it on when I’m out and about. I love to whip up a bracelet to go with my outfit that I am wearing. It doesn’t take me long! Especially earrings! Thank you for a chance to win.
July 9, 2012 at 7:41 am
My favorite pieces of jewelry are bracelets. I love to mix & match them to perfectly match my outfits. I would feel weird if I left the house and didn’t feel the weight of bracelets on my wrist. ;D
July 10, 2012 at 8:08 pm
rings, can’t leave home without them. Earrings next, or maybe bracelets. always wear a necklace so don’t miss it as it is always on./
July 11, 2012 at 3:12 am
I would be lost without my rings. When I go out I look at everyones fingers to see what different kind of rings people wear. I found out that a different ring is a good thing for ladies to talk about. If we forgot our rings what will we even talk about?
July 11, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Hi Tammy:
I might as well have forgotten to wear a blouse if I don’t have earrings on. And I love to make necklace/earring sets but for myself I have to make earrings to match everything in my closet. I do wear bracelets but I have two sterling chains that were my mother’s that I wear 24/7. I like to add to them but I never take these two off as they are a part of my mother’s memory.
July 14, 2012 at 4:57 am
For me it’s necklaces. They’re just that final touch to my outfit, even if I’m just wearing jeans and a t-shirt. They’re my favorite thing to make too.
July 18, 2012 at 12:27 pm
For me it’s earrings:)
July 20, 2012 at 9:48 pm
I absolutely feel naked without my wedding and engagement rings on! But other than those I have a necklace with a charm with my sons initial on it that I wear the most.
I Love making beaded rings when I have the time, and earrings!
July 21, 2012 at 3:46 pm
I love to both wear and make earrings – the rest I can do without out, but earrings can make any outfit or day feel better!
July 24, 2012 at 9:13 am
I feel incredibly naked without a necklace on! I love making accessories, my favorite though? That’s a toss up between necklaces and rings.
Thanks for the chance to win!
July 25, 2012 at 9:47 pm
I feel naked without a necklace & my wedding rings! Thanks for a chance to win! 🙂
July 26, 2012 at 11:45 pm
I wear two silver rings, always. Other jewelry comes and goes, but my rings are constant company. They are each reminders of my mom, and have been sources of comfort over the years.
July 30, 2012 at 5:59 pm
My favorite jewelry to wear is earrings and I definitely feel naked if I leave home without them, I used to keep an extra pair in the car just in case but they got damaged in the heat last summer(in Texas) so now i dont, i also make jewelry and i think my favorite thing to make is probably earrings and bracelets.
July 31, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Earrings is my answer to both questions. I feel completely dressed (as opposed to naked?) when I have on a pair of earrings. And earrings are easy to make with a lot of impact. Crossing my fingers