Book Review: Creative Quilting with Beads

Creative Quilting with Beads: 20+ Projects with Dimension, Sparkle & ShineCreative Quilting with Beads: 20+ Projects with Dimension, Sparkle & Shine by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader

Beads must be in vogue, because I received this book from Lark Crafts yesterday. I was immediately drawn to the pomegranate on the front cover. The beads on that piece are perfect.”

The book has 24 pages of “The Basics”, which includes everything from Beads (pg.8) to Hanging an Art Quilt (pg.24). The book follows The Basics up with Projects, a gallery and templates. There are also bios of the designers and (YAY!!!) an index.

The introduction includes a line, which I think is a good reminder for working with beads on quilts “…the many ways beads can work with their fabric background, either as part of a pattern on as a dramatic focal point (pg.6).” In Kissy Fish, I used the beads to enhance the overall design while the fish was the focal point. Both thoughts are represented in this book.

“The Basics” talks about beads including the purchasing of beads and a reminder to the reader that anything with a hole in it can become a bead. “Creating with Beads (pg. 10-11) talks about supplies the maker will need to work when using beads including beading needles. The chart of different types of beads from A Bounty of Bead + Wire Earrings would not be out of place in this section.

The following 10 or so pages gives the reader the rudiments of quiltmaking. There is a section on pressing, which I don’t remember seeing in other books. “A portable padded pressing board is helpful when pressing partially completed quilts with the beaded side down. The padded board will cushion the beads to help you avoid dimples and other imprints on the quilt (pg.15),” which is good to know. Free motion quilting, fusible applique’ and hand techniques are all covered. There is also a small section on embroidery stitches.

This book is a compilation of various designers’ work, which means that there is a lot of variety in the projects. The projects are laid out in the Quilting Arts magazine style. There is only a small paragraph or sentence about the inspiration or reason for the work and then the materials needed and instructions start. I would have liked to have seen more thoughts from the artist.

I really couldn’t pick a favorite project as several of them were appealing. By The Sea by Kathy Daniels (pg. 26), the first project in the book was appealing for its line of white sashiko like stitches and machine quilting. Jewels of Our Past by Larkin Van Horn (pg. 68-71) also had interesting machine quilting, but I also like the blue dots for their varied repetition. The pomegranate book cover  by Sarah Ann Smith (pg. 98-101) is quite special. The machine quilting is very effective and the pomegranates, as I mentioned, sparkle. The group of projects also included an apron, magnets, a handbag and a purse.

The gallery gives the reader an idea of the style of the various artists and provides inspiration. I wish the photos had been larger in that section.

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Book Review: A Bounty of Bead + Wire Earrings

A Bounty of Bead & Wire Earrings: 50 Fun, Fast Jewelry ProjectsA Bounty of Bead & Wire Earrings: 50 Fun, Fast Jewelry Projects by Nathalie Mornu

This is a book I received from Lark Crafts as a review copy back in December. It took me a little while to get to this title due to the holidays, illness and travel. As I have said, I am not a jewelry maker, but I found some interesting things to inspire me in this book and am glad I finally was able to review it.

First, there are lots of great photos. There are photos of the projects, inspiration photos, such as the various “Earrings Around the World” photos, clear photos of tools and processes as well as large images of each project. The photos really make this book.

The other element that I like about this book is from the “charts and graphs” department. I haven’t ever seen a book that includes a chart detailing the size of holes (figure 1, pg. 8). Not only does the chart show what an 18mm hole looks like, but the chart includes a 2″ ruler alongside the equivalent ruler in millimeters, thus showing that an 18mm hole is approximately 3/4″. There is also a key to wire gauges (pg.139), which I thought would be helpful to designers.

Throughout the book are “Designer Tips”, which cover such aspects as “do not ream crystals. They shatter easily” (pg.9). Good to know and a perfect way to communicate that information.

While I have said I am not a jewelry maker, I do buy an use beads on my quilts, including the recent Kissy Fish. Thus the pages called “Bead Types and Shapes” (pg.10-11) were of great interest to me. There is a bead type called West African Lost Wax. Who knew? There are also rice, Roccoco, Chinese cinnabar, domed, donut and Cupolini. All of these sound very interesting. The pictures next to each of the names and description ensure that the reader knows what the author means. If this type of chart is not prevalent in jewelry books, then it would be worth buying this book for the chart. Nathalie Mornu talks about wire, tools, safety and techniques with the same clarity and knowledge.

If you like projects, then this book has lovely projects. My favorite is called Florentine Lace (pg.91), because of the filigree the maker creates. I was hard pressed to choose, though, because I also liked Spellbound (pg. 114) and the shape of Rain (pg.107) as well.

I think jewelry makers would get something out of this book. Buy at your bookstore or check it out at your local library.

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