Hardwear: Jewelry from a Toolbox

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION:

Hardwear: Jewelry from a Toolbox. Rogge, Hannah. Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York. ISBN 1-58479-480-1

PLOT SUMMARY:

One winter author Hannah Rogge was looking for Christmas gifts for her friends. She didn’t have a lot of money to spend. While at the hardware store she came up with an idea. She was going to make jewelry for her friends out of items from the hardware store. Hardwear: Jewelry from a Toolbox has twenty four projects that you can make in under an hour and for less than $15. The jewelry ranges from belts to earrings and the hardware ranges from washers to electrical tape. The projects are simple and the instructions are clear. No major tools are required to make the jewelry and almost everything can be found in the hardware store, with the exception of things like clasps and French earring wires. There is also a glossary in the back that describes all of the parts and tools needed to make the jewelry in this book.

CRITICAL EVALUATION:

Hardwear: Jewelry From a Toolbox is a great book for teens looking to express themselves. Most of the jewelry looks like jewelry, not like a craft project. Not only is it simple to follow the step-by-step instructions, but teens can also make their own creations by tweaking the patterns. There are some questionable jewelry designs like the rubber band earrings and the bracelets made out of duct tape. One of the most important things is that the jewelry is fairly cheap to make. Craft stores charge a fortune for jewelry-making supplies and beads. This is a cheaper route. However, if a teen wants to add more expensive items they can. That is what is so great about this book. It provides the foundation, and the sky is the limit from there.

READER’S ANNOTATION:

Learn how to make cool-looking jewelry from items you can find in your local hardware store.

AUTHOR:

There is not much personal information about the author available on her website. However there is a copy of her resume. The resume does list education, but that section is cut off. She works in a custom design and fabrication studio where she designs and builds exhibits, visual merchandising displays and animated windows. She has worked for Polo Ralph Lauren, Manhattan Theatre Club and also is a partner and founder of Craftmoto.com. A website that is a database of projects solicited from individuals and publications. (Rogge)

GENRE:

Non-fiction, Art

CURRICULUM TIES:

New York State: Art

BOOK TALKING IDEAS:

Making your own jewelry on a budget
Hardware stores are not only for home improvement

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE:

Age 14 and up

CHALLENGE ISSUES:

None

In order to prepare yourself should this book be challenged you may wish to take the following steps:

•Read the book or familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
•Refer to the library’s collection development policy.
•Read the book reviews from sources such as Booklist, School Library Journal, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), Publisher’s Weekly, or BookSpot.com
•Seek the opinion of teen readers that have read the book.

Should this book be challenged you should follow the additional steps below:

•Advise the senior staff of the challenge.
•Let the patron know that their challenge will be filed and that senior library management will review their request and notify them once a decision has been made.
•Offer any further assistance should the patron have additional questions.

WHY DID I INCLUDE THIS BOOK?

I was looking for a craft book for teens that didn’t have cheezy projects.