BOOK REVIEW! - Easy Beading Vol. 9

 Easy Beading - Vol. 9 

by Kalmbach Publishers

This is a fabulous hard cover book! Of course, I love books and Kalmbach is a really good publisher. So what's not to like!

The book is a compilation of projects from Bead Style magazines; which are never out-of-date! So if you missed an issue or didn't see as many as you wanted - like me - this book is for you! 

I love that Cathy Jakicic, the editor of Bead Style Magazine, organized the book by materials. So if you have a favorite or if you'd like to try something new, you can jump right in! Each chapter is color coded and the color is noted at the bottom of each page! So easy to use! :)

• Gemstones
• Crystals
• Metal & Chain
• Glass, Ceramic, & Pearls
• Mixed Media

 There are so many wonderful projects that it's really hard to pick favorites. Each project is crammed full of Notes, Ideas, Alternate Ideas, Suggestions, and more. There is also a long list of Supplies for each including materials & tools. I love that Shopping Notes are given in many projects to help us find particular products for that project. So whether you are a beginning beader or a more experienced one, the creative ideas will FLOW!

Gemstones - 9 projects in 21 pages

Two of my favorite projects in this section:

"A Beader's Prerogative" is a multi-strand necklace with a very interesting clasp that allows for removing or adding strands for versatility! Lovely!

"All Dressed in White" is a gorgeous necklace that can double as a purse handle! I really have to try this because my phone cover doubles as purse with a chain handle. I'm going to make it a "necklace" instead of the plain chain. How cool is that!!!! AND there are instructions for matching earrings! Twice the BLING!

Crystals - 10 projects in 25 pages

Crystals are the new "diamond" and come in so many shapes these day!

"Palette Play" is a combination of crystals and subtle gemstones in another multi-strand necklace, two bracelets, and two pairs of earrings. They can be worn together as one set or as separate sets. 

"Crystal Lattice Bracelet" is for those of us who like to seed bead. It's has a very delicate appearance. The instructions are easy to follow even for the beginner. Bonus earrings to match!

"A Necklace for a New Year" would be gorgeous made out of gold & crystals or silver & crystals. It is definitely a STATEMENT piece. There are instructions for matching earrings, too!

Mixed Media - 29 projects in 67 pages

My absolute FAVORITE section! There are crystals, lucite, metal, leather, chain, fabric, wire, bezels, and so much more!

"Flared Flower Earrings" are a delicate pairing of crystals and lucite that dangle beautifully!

"Exploring Patterns & Rhythms" brings jewelry to music. WHAT? It's a definite play on metaphors. Three single strands that perfectly harmonize in color & beads which can be worn separately or together. Earrings can be made to match.

"Rhapsody in (Faux) Rivets" stacks metal and glass on bead bars for a stylish necklace & earring set. I would add a bracelet to this set and incorporate buttons. This is one of my favorite projects! 

"Pick a Cherry Blossom Bracelet" embellishes rings by wire wrapping lucite flowers and crystals.  There are instructions for earrings as well. These designs remind me of Spring! Beautiful!

Pearls - 13 projects in 35 pages

Beautiful creations to wear day or night!

"Petals & Pearls" is a bracelet of seed beads around rice pearls. I want to try this with a variety of shape & color combinations. This is a great project for beginners to create something of beauty.

"Ombre Impression" is a triple strand necklace, bracelet, and earring SET! I love sets AND this one is beautiful!

 Metal and Chain - 22 projects in 53 pages

This section features "the imagination" to combine metal, chain, beads, string, wire, shell, crystals, and more. There are so many projects to wet the beading appetite!

 

"Mad for Metals"  is a mixture of metal and chain with a vintage-meets-modern idea in a necklace, bracelet, and earring set. Fabulous!

"String Art" has made a come back! Two ideas for earrings of thread wrapped around wire. Memories of the late 1970's and early 1980's!

"Filigree Leaf Drops" can be made into earrings, pendants, or charms.

"Sport Some Sparkle" creates links made from chain wrapped with flower-shaped margarita crystals. These can be linked together to make unique, personalized sets of jewelry.

Glass and Ceramic - 6 projects in 17 pages

Last but not least is this chapter of combining glass & ceramic to make attractive "statement" pieces!

"Telegraph Your Style" wire wraps pieces of glass combined with pearls and chain. Insulator chards of glass are used which often look like pieces of sea glass. 

"Shades of the Shoreline" strings Venetian glass in a bright palette of blues and greens. This inspired my imagination to think of other lovely color combinations. 

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have! 

Many thanks to Kalmbach for publishing it!

 

 

Soutache & Bead Embroidery - Book Review!

Soutache & Bead Embroidery

by Amee K. Sweet-McNamara

Published by Kalmbach Books

What is Soutache (pronounced as "su-tash")? It is embroidery with or without beads that many have called cording or braiding. It has been around for hundreds of years, used on upholstery, uniforms, wedding dresses, and used in making tassels. I myself have used it in upholstering furniture without really knowing the names of what I was doing. 

When I received this book, I was rather unsure of what Soutache  was. However, upon further study, research, and internet exploring, I found that this technique, art form, and jewelery design is very popular. Old has become "new" again - what goes around has come around again! 

Aren't these gorgeous!

The book begins with a wonderfully detailed Supply List - which is so important for those of us who don't know where to start. Next comes eight fabulous pages of Techniques. Each technique is named with a picture & detailed description. These pages were extremely helpful as I worked through a project to refer back to for assistance.

Chapter One: Creating Basic Shapes has 6 projects. Each building techniques so that your knowledge and ability to recognize these basics grow as you go! These core concepts begin even the most elaborate of projects or designs.

Princess Earrings on page 19

This first basic shape is also known as the "lollipop". It is the nucleus for many other shapes and projects. It is finished with the "Eskimo slipper" to make a complete basic shape.

Each project gives the basic shape learned, tools to be used, materials needed, & instructions with detailed picture.

For example, the Pinwheel Bracelet highlights the Basic Shapes of pinwheels and spirals. The Bonus Skill is embellishing edge beading.

Chapter Two: Adding Elements expands on talents learned in chapter one, adding in cabochons, flat beads, rhinestone chain and more. The instructions are simplified in this chapter but if you need help, refer to the Techniques pages 10-17 at the beginning of the book.

Suspended Stone Necklace on page 41

This is the first project in Chapter Two. Each of the projects in this chapter "Concentrates" on working with certain designs, techniques, materials, etc.. with an added Bonus Skill.

The Suspended Stone Necklace project concentrates on working with large, flat beads. The Bonus Skill is working with metallic braid. Obstacles that would be encountered are addressed and overcome.

Chapter Three: Layers and Light introduces techniques to use to break up the volume of your Soutache work so that it doesn't become "heavy" both in actual weight and visual mass.
 Each project in Chapter 3 also has a Concentration Skill and a Bonus Skill.

Blissful Abundance Necklace

For example, the Blissful Abundance Necklace project on pages 79-83 concentrates on designing with multiple techniques with a Bonus Skill of Soutache-wrapped straps. Incorporating multiple techniques into a single piece increases the perception of complexity and detail. I found these projects very intriguing to my creative muse. 

"Dangerous Liaisons" necklace, 2013 from the Gallery

This book has 18 detailed projects designed to challenge the beginner and the intermediate beader. However, I think even the most advanced beader would be intrigued. The book ends with a gallery of 16 beautiful Soutache & bead embroidered jewelry creations by the author.

I have totally enjoyed this book and my interest in Soutache is piqued!

Thank you Amee Sweet-McNamara and Kalmbach Books for publishing this beautiful book!

Pearls - "The Winter Diamonds!"

The Znet Shows' Dream Team is at it again! Many of us are working on Pearl creations for the upcoming Winter 2013/14 issue of Creative Spark, Znet Shows' Glossi magazine.

Pearls are known for being delicate, rare, fine, and valuable. Today, the majority sold are cultured or farmed. Imitation Pearls made of glass have become extremely popular in making beautiful & affordable jewelry, lavish clothing, and decorations.

The glass Pearl selections that Znet Shows have in their inventory are beautiful, high quality, and affordable.

The Pearls I chose & the Crystal accents.............

Pearls: (BDS1618-14)  6mm golden rounds
                      (BDS1619-23FIVE)  8mm bronze rounds
                    (BDS1923-36FIVE)   Vanilla rice pearls
Crystals: (ZMX-05-02)  6x4mm amber glow rondelles
        (ZMX-04-06)  autumn leaves teardrops

My Creations

 The wire is a combination of gold filled and rose gold filled.  

See Znet Show's Blog for the other Dream Team creations!