 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Previous | Home | About | Articles | Contact | Events | Links | Meetings | Membership | Newsletter | Shops |
Last updated: 8 APR 2008
Discover Beading: Stringing, Wirework, Knotting
A Bead Style Book
© Kalmbach Publishing Co.
www.kalmbach.com
$19.95
Book Review by Karen Dowling
This is a beginner's to intermediate book progressing from single strand necklaces to multiple strand and simple wirework to more advanced. The wirework section had some interesting and innovative uses of the wire in two of the examples and the knotting section included a project on stringing pearls and also net-wrapped pearls which were enclosed in tulle fabric. Color photos abound and every project is well illustrated with the beginning pages including basic techniques, tools, and materials.
100 Beaded Jewelry Designs
By Stphanie Burnham
© Interweave Press
www.interweave.com
$21.95
Book Review by Karen Dowling
This book is for the seed beader in our midst. All levels of experience could find something in these pages, if only inspiration for the more advanced beaders. Peyote stitch spirals, tubular peyote, the ladder stitch, and herringbone rope are all featured in the projects which are well illustrated with graphics and color photos throughout. A necklace and bracelet of antique buttons, an elegant Victorian necklace choker, and lotus flower lariat and earrings are just some of the 67 projects depicted here. The final 30 pages show the techniques, tools, and materials needed. The advanced beader could take some of these projects and use them as a jumping off point to something even more elaborate, while the intermediate beader could improve their skills and gain ideas, and with every project so well illustrated the beginner beader shouldn't feel overwhelmed.
Bella Beaded Jewelry
By Donatella Ciotti
© Interweave Press
www.interweave.com
$21.95
Book Review by Karen Dowling
The subtitle to this book is: Artful Italian Designs with Wire, Thread, Cord and Ribbon. Some of the projects shown are: Pearl Waterfall, Corcheted Necklace and Bracelet. The designs are somewhat off the mainstream with safety pins and pearls incorporated into a crocheted bracelet or made into an Egyptian collar, knotted buttons, and wood beads strung together with wire wrapping techniques. Beautifully illustrated with a how-to section, this is probably more of a beginner's book though the crocheting of metal may pushi it into the intermediate realm.
Beadwork Creates Jewelry
By Jean Campbell
© Interweave Press
www.interweave.com
$18.95
Book Review by Mary Alicea
This book has designs from some of the beading greats! There are many projects to choose from such as single strand necklaces, wirework, earrings, and rings. They of course have all levels from beginner to the advanced with great instructions and visuals. If you are interested in learning Right Angle Weave (RAW) check out the Fences and Flowers bracelet designed by Jeri Herrera. She does a great job in demonstrating RAW. A technique that some have over complicated, Jeri makes this stitch EASY and FUN to learn!
Stringing Style 2
50 More Designs for Beaded Jewelry
By Jean Campbell
© Interweave Press
www.interweave.com
$18.95
Book Review by Mary Alicea
Bravo Interweave! The projects in this book are organized, well photographed, have easy systematic instructions to follow, and have some of the most exquisite designs. This is a complete book with ideas, resources, and instructions for the very novice beader to one looking for more of a challenge.
Easy Beacing, Vol. 3
© Kalmbach Publishing, 2007
www.kalmbach.com
254 pages
$29.95
Book Review by Betty Stackpole
The best projects from the third year of BeadStyle magazine. Cathryn Jakicić, an editor for BeadStyle, says "This book is like a high school yearbook, in that it is full of different personalities and memories." There are projects for the beginners as well as the experienced beaders.
Fifty-two contributors bring their talents and personalities to the six sections of the book: Pearl and Shells, Glass and Ceramic, Metal and Chain, Gemstones, Crystals, and Mixed Materials. Each project has a colored step-by-step instruction, a detailed supply list, and an editor's tip, plus a list of short cuts on how to make a beader's life easier. For example, who would have thought of using a wide-rim glass bowl or vase on which to display or hang your earrings. And the inside can be used to hold your earings that need repair or have lost a mate.
I would buy this book because of the collection of matching necklaces and earrings. And, if you have never tried making something with crystals or gemstones, this book is for you. It also has a variety of bracelets, rings, ornaments, and more. I really liked the fact that at the back of the book there is a short write-up about each of the contributors, including their websites.
Cool Jewels Beading Projects for Teens
By Naomi Fujimoto
© Kalmbach Publishing
www.kalmbach.com
96 pages
$19.95
Book Review by Betty Stackpole
Naomi Fujimoto is Senior Editor at BeadStyle magazine. Her passion is charm bracelets, handmade ornaments, and mixed-breed dogs. She has over eight yuears experience designing and selling jewelry. This book includes the first two of her interests and a whole lot more. The format is set up for beginners with information on tools, findings, and a description of eight beads. There are certainly more beads but she didn't want to overwhelm you. The step-by-step instructions are very clear, plus she gives some tips as well.
I have only been beading about three years and I found the projects on my level. She has a project called a Lariat Necklace that I liked because it has simplicity and class.
This is the first book I found that taught me how to make a bracelet using Memory Wire. Naomi has two projects in here: one uses wooden beads and the other uses crystals. She teaches you how to make your own earring wires using 20-gauge wire and lots of practice. She also teaches how to make head pins.
Even though she is teaching teens, she also mentions how to add more chains, charms, and how to make a plain loop. At the end of the book she includes more ideas, stacking ring, snowflake, and belt.
Just a reminder, make sure you look at the laast few pages, because Naomi includes a list of where to shop on the computer. I really loved the book!
Beader's Stash
By Laura Lvaas
© Interweave Press
www.interweave.com
$21.95
ISBN-13: 978-1-931499-80-4
Book Review by Janet Kay Skeen
When Laura Lavaas contacted several bead stores to share their favorite bead patterns, she had an amazing response resulting in a book that is filled with projects for beginner to intermediate bead artists.
The full-color plates are beautiful and the directions are clear and concise. Whether it is a gem stone, glass accent beads, buttons, or seed beads, there is a project sure to please everyone.
A must for everyone's bead library.
Getting Started With Seed Beads
By Dustin Wedekind
© Interweave Press
www.interweave.com
$18.95
Book Review by Janet Kay Skeen
Finally! A really fun book with all the projects made with seed beads. We waited a long time for this book, and it was worth the wait.
Dustin Wedekind (aka Bead Boy) has given us projects with his tins and tacky tape, rings of seed beads, tubes, embroidery, bracelets, and even a coffee press cozy.
The projects are fun and explained in a way that is easy to follow--step-by-step you can learn herringbone, brick, right angle weave, and peyote stiches, as well as covering a styro egg with sequins the easy way.
If you are ready to learn some new stitches and techniques, this is the book for you.