Enchanted Adornments

December 15, 2009
Enchantment, to artist and first-time author Thornton, comes in many forms, including nature and fairy tales. Even the deconstruction of your best friends wardrobein terms of color, shape, texture. All of her favorite enchantments coalesce in an unusual crafts book, centering on the possible marriage between and among somewhat disparate mediawire, polymer clay, metal clay, resin, and others. Her upfront how-tos are a bit scattered, concentrating on a few basics with the rest left to self-teaching, other artists, or simply chance. Whimsicalities follow, each prefaced with a watercolor-illustrated diary of sorts explaining her inspirations (mermaids, Italy, and all), then detailing the instructions. Steps are clear, as are the color photographs and lists of necessities, along with at least one variation on the design. Yet nagging thoughts remind pure novices that brushing up on individual craft skills is to be desired. Still, the names alone seduce (so, too, the finished designs): window of the heart bezel pendant, sunset baubles necklace, riverbed rings, and magpie pendant.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)