Commentary about works in progress, design & creativity
I posted a review of Sensational Bead Embroidery last week. This book was one I wanted to give away to a lucky reader and two people entered.
Sharon is the winner! Sharon: I know where you live and the book is in the mail.
Look for other giveaways in the future. Thanks for reading and playing.
Sherry Serafini’s Sensational Bead Embroidery: 25 Inspiring Jewelry Projects by Sherry Serafini
This is another book that I received from Lark Books for free. Thanks, Lark! I will be giving this book away to a lucky reader, so read on for instructions on how to enter.
Lark is really stretching my creative boundaries with the last two books they have sent me. This one isn’t quite as completely out of my realm as the last one. I have done some beading. Still, it is kind of interesting to review a book on a topic I don’t know much about.
Sensational Bead Embroidery feels and looks really nice. It is hard cover and about 8.5″x11″. The layout is appealing. The font is a soft grey color, but not so soft that older eyes can’t read it. I found the color of the font to be different from other books I have seen. I found it easy to read.
There are, like the book Creating Glass Beads, lots of good photos in this book. Each page is decorated with different images. On the first page of chapter one are spills of seed beads and examples of cabochons. The images illustrate points on the page.
The first photo in the book is a pendant on a stiff gold metal hoop (like hoop earrings, but for the neck). It is complicated looking and my first thought was that this was a piece to show off the epitome of the author’s work. Wrong! Some of the pieces are smaller, but they all look elaborate and quite complex.
In the introduction, the author acknowledges that she and the reader may have different focal point beads, because the reader may not be able to locate the exact same materials. This sets the reader up for not remaking the exact pieces, but bringing their own creativity into the process.
Chapter 1 is an explanation of basic materials and tools. I am so glad she defined cabochon, because I had read that word in the introduction and was already at a loss. The book doesn’t have a glossary, but chapter one is a pretty good replacement for a glossary. Serafini talks about everything from synthetic suede for backing to marking tools and thread burners. She has a tip box which lists basic supplies. She also has describes optional tools. I like those types of explanations, because people may have questions about certain tools from what they have heard ‘around’ and it is nice to have the answers handy. She also mentions that a task lamp is a must-have. Good lighting is something we don’t always think about and this tip is a good reminder.
Chapter 2 is all about stitches and general techniques. The illustrations are very clear and coded to the text. Any quiltmaker who wants to add beads to a quilt could benefit from this section. Ms. Serafini also talks about patternmaking, which I think is something lacking in many quilt project books. There are outline drawings of patterns in various projects. She gives a basic overview of cuffs and collars. There is also a page on color and design.
The projects start after the first two chapters. There is a large ‘head shot’ of each finished project, a brief description of her inspiration or process, and a supply list, which does refer back to the basic supplies list. In the first project, Spike Angel Brooch, the first few instructions have to do with designing the piece.
The projects range from collars and cuffs to earrings. The Simply Sweet Necklace is one of the least elaborate designs and looks like something non-beaders could wear, which is to say that many of the designs are quite elaborate and might take a special wardrobe to pull off. Finished pieces for which there appear to be no instructions, AKA inspirational pieces, are scattered in between projects throughout the book.
Probably my favorite piece in the book is the Donut and Pearl Cuff. I like it because of the use of sequins. I really like the way they border and highlight the center of this bracelet. I also like the asymmetry of the Triple Play Brooch. This piece also uses some sequins as accents. The Rivoli Brooch is one that I would wear. I noticed in many of the projects that the coloration was subtle. Each piece has color, but it doesn’t scream, which is better for jewelry.
The Gallery at the end shows some really amazing work by other artists. Sherry Serafini doesn’t say whether the pieces are by her students or just people that she knows. She does say that these are possible variations (the equivalent of alternate colorways?) on the projects. The Polar Bear bracelet by Heidi Kummli is pretty amazing. It looks like a cuff sort of bracelet with a polar bear head on it. The description says that the animal [beads?] are cast animals. The author points out that a focal bead can really change the feel of the piece and Kummli’s piece demonstrates that.
I also like Diane Hyde’s Opulent Spring. It is a round ball that I would love to hang in a window so that light could show off the beads.
I would like to see an index and a bibliography so interested readers could investigate this craft further.
Good inspiration and instructions if you want to take up this creative endeavor.
If you would like to enter the giveaway, please leave a substantive comment in the comment section of this post on any topic you want. I will draw the winner’s name on or around April 20, so your comments should be added before midnight on April 19.
View all my reviews
4/20/2011 Update: No more comments! Sharon is the winner!
Mary from Mary’s Art Musings!!!
For what you ask? On the most recent book review I wrote, I offered a giveaway of the book.
Yes, she is my mom. No, this wasn’t rigged. I only received two comments on that post, so both Deirdre and Mary had very good odds.
This review is LONG overdue! I have to apologize to Meg Cox for how long it took me to post it. She kindly sent me the book and I couldn’t let it go. I read and took notes and read again and enjoyed. Well, the time has come. Read through the review for something special! 😉
The Quilter’s Catalog: A Comprehensive Resource Guide by Meg Cox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Meg Cox was kind enough to send me a free copy of this book to review and giveaway. She did this shortly after I received the books from Lark Books and I had mixed feelings about that experience: happiness that my work on the blog was recognized and stung that they never responded to any of my emails for more information.
As an indirect result of that experience, it took me awhile to get to starting this book. Once I did get to it, I had a hard time putting it down. This is a dense, packed-full-of-information book. It a book to which you can refer over and over, and a book you want to read with pencil and notepad in hand.
The two things I really like about this book are the layout and Cox’s writing style. The book is divided into sensible sections including “my quilt history,” which tells us her personal quiltmaking story and sets up her credentials, “who quilts today and why,” “sewing now..,” “more revolutionary tools,” etc. There are also sidebars which have mini-articles and additional information.
She was on staff at various newspapers for over 20 years including 17 at the Wall Street Journal. I found her writing style to be witty, intelligent, and businesslike in an accessible way.
Ms. Cox talks about the quilt world as I see it, and not the fantasy quilt world of sharing and love that is associated with the world of quilts in many quilt books. (Not that there isn’t sharing and love in the quilt world, but it is a business world also and there isn’t enough acknowledgment of that, IMO). She starts the books with her own brief quilt history. I like knowing where an author is coming from. I like to have some context about why the author is writing the book. Often, introductions don’t satisfy my curiosity, but this one does. That leads into a section of who quilts and why. She talks about figuring this section out by doing her own survey to gather information.
One of my favorite parts is called ‘6 Quilt Myths Debunked’. The myths include quiltmaking as an American invention, cutting up clothes to make quilts, quilting by hand, old quilts value, etc. I am really glad that she tackled these issues head on, because I have a problem with “information sources” that perpetuate myths without performing any research or providing back up sources or citations. This part of the book is not a historical tome meant for academicians. Cox writes about the issues using a style that makes sense, has been researched and is an easy read for the general public.
Throughout the book are lots and lots of pictures. Pictures of quilts, pictures of department store fabric sections, pictures of rock star quiltmakers, pictures of software, sewing machines, antique textiles, books and more quilts. Most of the photos are black and white, but there is a middle section of color photos, which is also filled with the obligatory projects.
Because this is a book, it is now getting to be a bit out of date. 98% of the information is NOT out of date and the book is still very much worth the money. New products have come on to the market that are not reviewed, some webTV shows have developed further and there are new tools. This is not a criticism, but it made me think a lot about how this book could be kept up to date. Companion website? Make it a loose-leaf like legal materials and send updates out? New editions each year? I couldn’t really think of a satisfactory answer, but perhaps an iPad app with new information followed by new editions when enough changes had taken place is a possibility?
One of the good things about this book having older info in some sections is that I can see the development of certain things in the quilt world. For example, in a section called “Seeing Quilts Online” Meg talks about how museums do not always show their vast collections of quilts, but they are making inroads on scanning them. She goes on to talk about the different large collections of quilts including IQSC, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Alliance for American Quilts, among others. This section, I think, shows a clear path to the Year of the Quilt in NYC! Someone at museums must have read this book or heard about it and thought up the concept of the Year of the Quilt in NYC. Okay, perhaps I am fantasizing, but a connection between the popularity of quilts, how many are in museums, the recognition of the artistry of quilts must have led to the Year of the Quilt in NYC. I hope to see more of those types of exhibits.
I think there is something in this book for all types of quiltmakers. I don’t think every quiltmaker will be interested in every section, but I think there is enough to entertain beginning, intermediate and advanced quiltmakers. Meg Cox has included some projects for those who cannot find enough of them in projects books and on the web, she has included history, biographies, lots of information about teachers, a section for beginners on basic how-tos, etc. Some of the how-to section would be interesting for more experienced quiltmakers who didn’t have experience with said techniques. I have to admit that I like the fruit tart pincushion.
There is also a practical side to this book. Meg talks about quilt shows and gives practical advice on how to attend including what to wear, how to shop (yes, more than just bring a credit card!), what not to miss, pros and cons of lectures and demonstrations, booking rooms, etc.
I was pleased to see some of the history of the longarm section of the quilt world. I was also interested in the section on computers and quiltmaking. It included quilt software (EQ and PCQuilt, listserves (QuiltArt etc) and what the Internet offers. I grew in my quiltmaking career seeing some of these resources develop and was pleased to see mention of a now (mostly) defunct listserve on which I used to be very active.
Throughout this book, Cox subtly points out what a vital, fluid and continuously changing art form quiltmaking is. You really should go out and buy this book. I think it is one that every quiltmaker should read, if not have on their shelf. Nice work, Meg!
Meg does not, yet, have a blog, but she does have a website and free monthly e-newsletter, Quilt Journalist Tells All. To see a copy of the newsletter and subscribe, click here. You can also connect with Meg by reading her two columns: Megabites gossip and news column in Quilter’s Home, and Look Who’s Quilting Now in the Ricky and Alex publication, The Quilt Life.
To enter the giveaway, you must leave a substantive comment on this post. I will do the drawing with names of all of those who comply on March 13 or 14.
If you are an author or publisher and would like would like me to review a book, please read the policies page. Thanks!
I talked about some giveaways I was planning. This isn’t one of them and I don’t have the stuff in my hand, but Chronicle Books is giving away stuff. Thanks to Cool2Craft on Creating the Hive for her post!
Here’s how it works:
I was supposed to make a post on here on the blog (check!) listing Chronicle Books valued at up to $500 that would be nice gifts under my tree. Check! They are:
Amy Butler’s Little Stitches for Little Ones Autographed Copy: 20 Keepsake Sewing Projects for Baby and More By Amy Butler, Colin McGuire (there is one project in this book I like and I haven’t found it cheap enough to buy. Free is cheap enough! 😉 )
Amy Butler’s Style Stitches (I know, I know! I just can’t stay away from the gorgeous fabrics!)
Embroidered Effects: Projects and Patterns to Inspire Your Stitching By Jenny Hart, Aimée Herring
French General: Home Sewn: 30 Projects for Every Room in the House By Kaari Meng, Jon Zabala
Paper Cutting: Contemporary Artists, Timeless Craft by Laura Heyenga, Rob Ryan, Natalie Avella
Reprodepot Pattern Book: Flora: 225 Vintage-Inspired Textile Designs By Djerba Goldfinger, Grace Bonney, Mollie Green
Reprodepot Pattern Book: Folk: 225 Vintage-Inspired Textile Designs By Djerba Goldfinger, Grace Bonney, Mollie Green
Sublime Stitching Craft Pad By Jenny Hart
Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To By Jenny Hart, Alexandra Grablewski
Then I had to go to this Chronicle Books link and complete the form (Check!) and, theoretically, I was automatically entered into a drawing to WIN my list of books! And, one of YOU, dear readers, who comments on your post on your blog will win the list too! The rules don’t say a substantial comment, but you know how I am. While you are hanging around, go and take a look at the other posts. The scrap post was nice. the Modern Quilt Guild Meeting was fun. etc.
You can put up a post on your blog as well. Last day to submit entries is December 10th! Read all about it at Chronicle Books! Official Rules!
Leave your substantial comment here to be entered to win!
Everyone who is part of the AQ community is a winner!
The AQ Giveaway is over and the winners of the silk fabric are:
Anne
Beth
Jill
Julie
Laura
Lil Sissy
Maude
Misty
Reva
SherriD
Sonja
TFQ
I’ll get them in the mail soon. If I don’t contact you for an address, contact me. Thanks.
I did the One World One Heart blog round robin thing, as you probably noticed, back in February. I had hoped that people would take some time with their comments, and join the CPP. I see a lot of new readers, but not many commentors and no new CPP participants. That is ok with me as I write the blog for other reasons that for readers. I just love it when I get comments. I also love it when people post their creative prompt responses.
So, here is my latest scheme to get some participants in the CPP: a giveaway. Yes, I am going to be giving away some SILK.
I am giving away luscious silks from a tie factory that used to be near me. I have about 15 bundles of approximately 10-20 10″ squares and I am giving them all away. There are rules, oh yes, but I am giving them all away and I have a bin full of them. What I will do is keep track of who complies with the rules and if only one person follows the rules then one person gets the whole big box of silk.
Notes on the silk: it frays a lot; one of the bundles will be one square short, because I used a piece for the Petal Apron. The patterns are all subtle and color coordinated within the bundles.
Rules:
1. To get an entry you must leave a substantive comment. It may not say “please enter me in your giveaway.” You can say that, but you won’t get entered. I am the arbiter of substantive, but it basically means, read a post and comment or ask questions about what I wrote. Let’s have a conversation!
2. To get TWO entries or TWO additional entries you must create a CPP response starting with last Friday’s Prompt. Follow the CPP guidelines to post your link.
3. If you want to leave a comment on this post telling me your thoughts on silk squares or what you would do with them, you will get an entry, too.
4. No whining or snarky comments!
5. You can enter as many times as you want.
6. I reserve the right to change the rules at any time.
Don’t get your hopes up that I will be dong a giveaway every week, because I don’t plan on it. I am not ruling out future giveaways, but they are not a goal. As a result, this may be your only opportunity, so join in!