A lot of similarities can be drawn between Tarina Tarantino and British jewelry line Tatty Devine. Both share the aestetic that jewelry should be fun, personal and sparkly. But while Tarina’s work has a nostalgia sense of fantasy, Tatty Devine has an air of British kitschiness, edgy and quirky. You’ve probably seen their signature dogtag like pendants or signature name necklaces, in colors from jet black to neon yellow.
Harriet Vine and Rosie Wolfenden, the partners who started the business as a stall in Camden Market to the mass selling name it is today, released this book with some adorable funky accessories. I love their ‘Sausage Dog brooch’, made from the same line of animal figurines I used to collect. Their Keyboard Necklace, made using the keys from a toy piano with jump rings on a simple chain, also seems so tantalizingly simple to make, while creating a fun statement.
However, when I rediscovered this book in my room, I had to say it didn’t have the same promise of inspiration as it did when I first read it a few years ago. Somehow other titles I’ve read since have made the allure of jewelry making this title has seemed duller. Maybe I’ve experienced how fun and personal jewelry making can be, so flipping through pages I mentally think ‘made it’ or ‘seen it’. Some of the pieces may seem fun to make, but I do question their use in the future after completion. Take the the ‘Shrinky Necklace’, a simple chain with crinkled up crisp bags adorning it; unique, for sure, but not exactly flattering.
Also the projects are so specific. Like the Fruity Dice necklace; great, if you HAVE a dice painted in funky fruit colors.
If you’re more daring in your accessories than I am, maybe you’d go for the projects in this. For now, I’ll stick to the more subtle projects, like the Black Bow Tie necklace. A great title for a jewelry novice looking for some tips to get started, I’d suggest this book, but still believe you’d have more fun with Tarantino’s book.
Final Score: 2/5
