Tag: Off Topic: Crafts

Marcia DeCoster Presents Beaded Jewelry by 30 International Artists by Marcia DeCoster

The table of contents of this book includes an introduction and then the names of bead artists. It is amazing. “The interviews…, along with brief biographies and photos that showcase each artist’s work, are the results of this effort.” The book includes a wide variety of beading styles “from Nancy Dale’s elaborate fringe to Heather Collin’s cubic right angle weave creations and Susan Blessinger’s multimedia masterpieces. The author states that this book was, in part, made possible by the wonder of the Internet, which gave her the means to admire beadwork from around the world.

The shapes and colors are enough to inspire ideas for quilts and other crafts for a few years. The artists are from many different countries and backgrounds. Miriam Shimon shows a piece that would make a fantastic applique’, Aurora (pg.11). The necklace has some curves that look like mustaches in beautiful greens and reds tempered by burgundy and gold. Miriams designs are elegant and large.

Beki Haley includes natural elements such as a dragonfly (pg.30 on Enchanted) and a shell that looks like an ammonite (pg.31, Ancient Seas) as well as charms and beads that further the nature idea. The work is calming and has interesting textures.

I liked Sian Nolan’s rich, vibrant colors and thought her piece, Siany Bird (pg.43) was really innovative. It is a flamingo beaded scarf-like piece with feathers. I would look fabulous with a black dress that had a mock turtle collar. Her work includes a needlework case, which is different.

Each section includes photos of the artists’ work, also some biographical information and answers to a series of questions. Many of the artists make jewelry, but also beaded bags, the “scarf” mentioned above and cuffs.

This book is about texture and shape as well as lushness. If you need some inspiration along those lines, this book is one to look at.

Take a look!

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Simple Soldered Jewelry & Accessories: A Crafter’s Guide to Fashioning Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets & More by Lisa Bluhm

I received two more jewelry books to review last week. Again, Lark was so great about supporting the Boxing Day Sew-in that I just can’t say no to reviewing this book.

This book has a very appealing necklace on the cover. I like the charm bracelet look of it. This book has an introduction that explains the reason behind the book, and that is followed by a section on essential tools and materials. This includes a part on setting up her workspace. I haven’t seen a section like this before and I think it is a good idea, especially for an art like metal working. Both are well illustrated. The illustrations are both of tools and of the final result of the details of the book. I particularly like the layout chosen in this section. Every paragraph or so has a heading and describing each type of tool.

Chapter 2 discusses creating soldered glass pieces. It is includes cutting and scoring glass, followed by breaking the glass and tidying the edges. My first job was in a stained and leaded glass shop and the section reminds me of learning how to make leaded glass windows as the author discusses the various parts of the process of working with glass.

This book includes sections on basics. In the glass section there is a ‘basics’ page called “techniques for working with wire.”

Finally, Chapter 3 is all projects.I was expecting the regular projects, but was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety and I have to admit being tempted by some of the lovely shapes. There wasn’t just jewelry, but also a Letter Pendant (pg.39), which is jewelry, but could be a bookmark with a charm on it. There is also a Holiday Ornament (pg.41). The next section is called New Life for Found Objects, which starts off with a broach (pg.45). I like the project called Snazzy Storage Labels (pg.47). I also like the Beautiful Bobby Pins (pg.85), which use store bought bobby pins. I also like the Scrapbook Frames (pg.119), which I think is a very different and interesting project. It includes some variations, which I thought was an excellent idea for a book with a lot of projects. The Decorative Tin Box (pg.121) would also be a good gift or stocking stuffer.

There are a wide variety of designs, shapes and different jewelry and projects in the book. I like the wide variety of projects.

Check it out! Thanks to Lark for sending me this book to review!

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Metal Clay 101 for Beaders: Create Custom Findings, Beads, Embellishments & Charms by Kristal Wick

The earrings at the beginning of the book have a design stamped, I assumed without reading any further, that could be a free motion quilting design. This book is about upcycling and eventhis purple earring projects sets that intention from the very beginning.

Again, Kristal Wick‘s book has an illustrated table of contents, which gives the reader an overview of what to expect. The thumbnails set out an ambitious and appealing agenda.

Ms. Wick has a 2 page introduction, which extolls the virtues of beads and metal clay. She gives a taste of what the book will include with a sense of competence and enthusiasm.

The ‘Basics’ section (pg.10-37), includes pictures of her favorite materials as well as a description of different things. Or so I thought. I leafed through the pages, looking for the end and found an unbelievably complete ‘Basics’ section. Kristal’s ‘Basic’ section includes the above as well as metal clay tools and materials, a Metal Clay Toolbox, metal clay fundamentals, firing the metal clay, how to create patinas, embellishments, jewelry components and tools, a section on bead strings and stitches and basic wire techniques.

After 30+ pages of detailed instructions, the projects start. I am pretty sure I wouldn’t wear most of these pieces, but I would pick them apart and put them on some of my art quilts! I really liked the textures and shapes of the different designs.

I have to say that an appealing part of these patterns is the variety of textures included int he same design. In the first project, the Birdhouse Necklace (pg.38), there is metal clay, charms, crystal and metal beads and everything works well as a cohesive whole.

Throughout the book, the author shows very clearly how to put the bits and beads together to make the various projects. Quiltmakers could easily apply components of these projects to a quilt project in the same manner and achieve a great look. This book can also be used as a good source of inspiration as it has detailed images of different textures used.

Each project has a good description of the supplies required along with the nice photos. Variations are mostly shown, though not always described. The reader can get a brief idea of what the project looks like in slightly different colors.

The end of the book has a gallery of projects, by different artists, as well as a short index.

Enjoy the colors and textures as inspiration from this book. Thanks to Lark Books for sending it to me.

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Bead Embroidery Jewelry Projects: Design and Construction, Ideas and Inspiration by Jamie Cloud Eakin

One of the first things I noticed was the extraordinary drama of the first piece in the book. It is large, paired with the right clothes and the model is looking straight at the reader daring him/her to object, or, perhaps, say anything. This led me to the table of contents, which is illustrated with thumbnails of the various projects. Many of the pieces, including the Panel Collar necklace (pg.52), the Waterfall Necklace(pg.97), the Royal Vines Necklace(pg.101), and others are all quite large. The first piece and these supporting ‘actors’ tell the reader that this is a designer with whom to be reckoned.

My first impression is supported by the first line of the Introduction, which reads “One of the premises I live by is ‘Life is too short to wear ordinary jewelry.’ and I am sure many of you agree.” I have always wanted a mantra like that! These two things set the stage for the book. The pictures of all the pieces throughout the book are dramatic and make the pieces look large, though some idea of actual side is implied in the pattern instructions.

This book has 29 projects, but these projects are further expanded by, in some cases, several variations. The nice thing is that the variations are included right in the table of contents. While the reader may not want to go straight to the variation after opening the book, their inclusion in the table of contents gives the variations some stature, prominence. With the variations, the total project count is 45.

The ‘Basics’ section in this book is called Basics of Design and Construction, which includes design as an important element. The design piece has a few exercises to get you started. Design tools are, then, combined, somewhat, with construction. Prominent in this section (pg.12-13) is the use of neck forms and collar forms. The contents of a Standard Necklace Kit is briefly discussed and then the Basic sections goes to The One.

The One (pg.16- ) is described as the star of the show, a single focal point that is described as “a beautiful simplicity to a single focal embraced by bead embroidery.” In this section, the reader is back on to design with some definitive examples. This section is filled with tips such as “use your closet and the colors inside to help with your design choices.”

I was slightly alarmed when I found that the above section was immediately followed by projects without very thorough directions. First, there is an instructional section at the back of the book (pg.149-154) and all of the patterns have a variety of types of instructions.

Throughout the book, the author tips on different aspects of the projects, including how to execute certain stitches and hiding thread when beading around corners. Most of the patterns are 2-3 pages. The supplies are clearly enumerated. The focal beads look quite special in these pieces and I think the reader might have some concerns about matching the quality of the imagery. The focal beads and color are integral to the success of the project. I am sure that readers will have fun seeking out the special beads!

Picking my favorite project was difficult. I don’t wear these types of pieces. I found aspects of various pieces drew my attention. With some, I was attracted by the colors. Others had appealing shapes.
as I started to look through them.

The end of the book has a small gallery of projects, by different artists. There is also a comprehensive index, which also warms my librarian heart.

Use the colors and shapes from this book for inspiration and thanks to Lark Books for sending it to me.

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Shaped Beadwork & Beyond: Dimensional Jewelry in Peyote Stitch by Diane Fitzgerald

One of the first things I noticed was the feel of the book. It is a paperback, but it has a bit of a heft to the cover, making the book feel as if the cover wouldnt’ be damaged immediately.

Upon opening the book, I was enchanted by a photo of a group of bead starfish. they look like they are photographed on a piece of Styrofoam, but it isn’t obvious and it is the perfect background. I love these little starfish.

Both are, of course, irrelevant to the content. As with her previous books, Diane Fitzgerald makes a brief introduction and then gets on the with the projects. This book is STUFFED full of projects, 43 in all. If you want a peyote stitch project book, you won’t be disappointed.

Unlike Diane Fitzgerald’s Favorite Beading Projects Designs from Stringing to Beadweaving, which I reviewed before, there is a ‘Basics’ section, which includes the contents of a Basic Beadwork Kit, understanding the Peyote stitch, general techniques (including unpicking!), and recognizing patterns. Chapter 1 is brief, but seems to be fairly comprehensive.

After Chapter 1’s intructions, there is what I would call a practice/basic pattern. It is a basic triangle (as 60 degree triangle, if you want to translate the patterns to quiltmaking), which is a component of many of the projects in this book. I see immediately, in the Oh My Stars! necklace (pg.18), a pretty and delicate piece, that this triangle is used. It is clear from leafing through the book that mastering this first pattern will go a long way towards success with the other patterns.

Throughout the book, the author shows very clearly how to put the beads together into the larger units needs to make the various projects. In looking at these images, I am sure a clever quiltmaker could apply beads to a quilt project in the same manner and achieve a great, if flatter look. This book can also be used as a good source of inspiration as it has wonderful pictures of different beads used as well as different pieces.

The Temari Beads necklace (pg.23) gets the reader early into the dimensional aspect of the book

I was hard pressed to pick a favorite project as I started to look through them. I liked many of the projects as objects, but weren’t my style in terms of wearing. If forced, I would choose the Rivoli Bracelet (pg.104). I like the sparkle and flash and think it would go well with what I wear to black tie events. I also think the construction is interesting. The Navette Pendant (pg.132) is also something that I might wear. The construction makes it look like a very large gem and I can see people doing as double-take as they see from the middle distance. Aside from the eye bead, which I liked and was a bit repelling, the Eye of Providence (pg.142) is appealing. I can see wearing the Eye of Providence with Roses(pg.145) pendant.

Chapter 6 covers pointed ovals. While the shape can look a bit weird and eyelike, I did like the variety of options presented in the book, especially the Eye of Apollo necklace (pg.133). This shape and the projects shown really look like jewelry to me.

Each project has a good description of the supplies required along with the nice photos. Variations are mostly shown, though not always described. The reader can get a brief idea of what the project looks like in slightly different colors.

The end of the book has a gallery of projects, by different artists, but all, presumably made in the peyote stitch.

As I said, this book has a whopping 43 projects. At an MSRP of $27.95, that is about $.65 per pattern. If you want to try a lot of different techniques, this is a good buy.

Enjoy this inspirational book and thanks to Lark Books for sending it to me.

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Contemporary Jewelry in Perspective by Art Jewelry Forum

Thanks to Lark for sending me this book to review.

This is more like a scholarly book than most of the books I have reviewed for Lark. This book sets out to distinguish why contemporary jewelry is not like the jewelry found in the local shopping mall (pg.7). It is clear that contemporary jewelry artists struggle with the same problem that art quiltmakers have: art v. craft. The book delves into detail about what craft is and how jewelry making fits into fine starts traditions.

This is a serious books that looks at contemporary jewelry from all angles. Discussion about the journals of contemporary jewelry have a place. Photography of contemporary jewelry is explored. the tools, spaces and materials are all discussed in a scholarly and serious way.

The book is lavishly illustrated with photographs, which are works of art on their own.Many, many contemporary pieces are shown throughout the book.

The title, Contemporary Jewelry in Perspective, really describes what this book is about. No stone related to contemporary jewelry goes unturned. If you want a thorough grounding in contemporary jewelery, this is your book.

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