The fantabulous Venus Zine out of Chicago just ran a review of The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewelry. Hooray they liked it!
Rock your own Secretary Chic
Jennifer Perkins tackles publishing with the release of The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry
By Marilyn Perez
Published: July 25th, 2008 | 11:10am
Here is the dilemma: You have this amazing retro-looking yellow-and-purple-polka-dot dress that you want to wear to the company picnic but you can't seem to find a funky-enough necklace to go with it. Have no fear, Naughty Secretary Club founder Jennifer Perkins is here! And she's bringing more jewelry ideas that will make your head pop!
Perkins shares her crafty knowledge on her blog (naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com), DIY Network shows Craft Lab and Stylelicious, and now with her new book, The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry from North Light Books. This how-to book brings an unorthodox approach to creating jewelry and charms outside the box, or cubicle, if you will. It takes a special type to rock a "Hotel Key Necklace" or a "Tin Typewriter bracelet."
The former administrative assistant-turned-jewelry designer has been making jewelry since she was a little girl. Perkins developed a unique style that has been featured in Elle Girl, The New York Times, Teen Vogue, and much more. Her success comes from her ability to turn almost anything into a top-of-the-line coveted piece of chic jewelry. In her book, Perkins walks you through more than 50 fun projects while keeping her quirky, humorous, and upbeat voice.
The Working Girl's Guide comes in three difficulty levels or, as she refers to, "Job Skills." "First Day On The Job" is entry-level easy - snip this, glue that. Next is "You Deserve A Raise," where you have mastered the basics and are up for more of a challenge. Finally, you are "Running The Show" for those comfortable with resin, hammers, dremels, as well as a longer list of supplies. It's easy to follow along with the step-by-step instructions and great photos that accompany each project. Her personality jumps out of the book as she walks you through, giving out "hot tips" and including sidebars sharing music to listen to at the office, unique uses for a coffee filter, and addressing office romances.
Ultimately, it is all about the blingage and how to make great one-of-a-kind pieces for you or a lucky gift recipient. And don't worry, there are plenty of projects that call for bright, funky charms and beads to play with. It wouldn't be a Naughty Secretary Club book without them! The back of the book provides patterns to use and pictures to include in items like the "Secretary's Delight Bracelet & Ring" set, blog links, and other great resource listings.