Reviews
or Pages with
Mercifully SHORT Reviews |
Titles and
Bookstore Links |
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BEAD LORE: Beads, by Janet Coles and Robert Budwig, is well illustrated with photos by Jonathan Lovekin of gorgeous beads from every place and time. There are directions for projects, too, so while it's not essential, it's a good book for your library. And mine. Nancy |
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BEAD LORE: Numerous strands of beads around the waist signify virginity in Yoruba tradition. This is one of the thousands of facts in the fascinating The History of Beads by Lois Sherr Dubin. I love knowing stuff like this - you will love the book. Nancy |
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BEAD MAKING:
You have to begin at the beginning, so if glass bead making is your goal, I strongly recommend Art Bead Jewelry, by Karen Lombardo. She starts with a clear and simple (and illustrated) explanation of how to make basic glass beads, so you will know if you wish to learn more elsewhere or simply enjoy the beautiful glass beads others produce, so that you can get onto the making and wearing of truly gorgeous jewelry. Karen contains 25 projects that will inspire you as they did me. |
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BEAD MAKING: Kristal Wick opened a new frontier for me with Fabulous Fabric Beads. I got the book and started making beads. This one will explode the creativity cells in your brain. Nancy |
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BEAD MAKING: Glass bead making fascinates me. The product is a small work of art or a glob, depending on the skill of the bead maker. I don't claim expertise in this area but I know Jeri L. Warhaftig's Glass Bead Workshop is a good book for second level bead makers. Nancy |
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BEAD MAKING: Making Beautiful Beads is a great resource that you won't want to miss as your jewelry making skills expand. It gave me tons of fresh ideas. I love it. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: If you are just getting started in jewelry making, I cannot recommend The Absolute Beginners Guide Stringing Beaded Jewelry enough. It spells out everything, and I mean everything, you need to know. I will be mentioning it in every stringing class I teach from now on. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: All
About Beads by Maureen Murray has lots of techniques
and lots of projects - just what I like. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: The Beader's Bible, by Dorothy Wood, bills itself as "a comprehensive guide to beading techniques, and that is true. Wood gives us a taste of many techniques and she does with a basic project as well as a "taking it further" project in each case. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: It's easy to grab a bunch of pretty beads and string or wire them together to create a piece of jewelry a teddy bear wouldn't wear. You've got to understand color theory or get a book like Beadstyle's Beading Inspiration, How To Use COLOR in Jewelry Design in order to get good color balance and harmony.
I was thrilled to get my hands on Beading Inspiration. The projects are all pretty, wearable and explained with reference to a non jewelry color design object. If you've been hesitating as you decide what goes with what, Beadstyle has published the book for you. Nancy |
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Beading with Pearls, edited by Jean Campbell, contains 25 beautiful projects and tons of techniques. It's billed as a beginner book, but you will enjoy it more if you've already dabbled a bit in jewelry making. Jean Campbell is a real pro, so don't hesitate to try any of her books. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Stefany
Tomalin's book, Beads, is heavy on technique,
which is good, but there aren't so many examples, which is
not so good. Still, it's a very worthwhile resource.
PS
Tomalin has written several other books about beading, which
I haven't been able to get my hands on as they are out of
print as is Beads. The Bead Jewelry
Book is still available, and it looks like just the
thing I've been looking for. Nancy |
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Most bead books contain 25 to 50 projects, but with Bead Simple, by Susan Beal, you get 150, yes 150, projects! Yum. Nancy |
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Big & Bold is a terrific inspiration book for those of us who want to make and wear jewelry to knock your socks off. The projects are clever, and my fingers are itching for a bead board. Nancy
more in the September 22, 2009 Beading Diary entry |
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Chic & Easy Beading comes in three volumes (to date - January 2009). The publishers of Bead&Button magazine compile projects I love (and so will you) from the magazines. As always, these projects are well illustrated with clear and simple directions. Nancy
more comments in Beading Diary 2009 - January 24 entry |
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Complete Beading, by Jema Hewitt, is a good, all around jewelry making book. It has excellent photos. Nancy |
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Create Jewelry Crystals (series) - Beading Diary 2008 |
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Creative Beading by Juju Vail is more rational beading than bead stringing, but the projects are fantastic and not hard. Nancy |
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: When I first opened Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads by Kim Gover, I was not as impressed with the project directions as I should have been. In other words, I had to take a good long look before I realized how attractive and wearable Gover's projects actually are. And they're easy. And the book contains lots of useful gemstone info, so I hang my head and promise not to jump to conclusions ever again. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Kim
Ballor's Fashion Beading is billed as a book for
beginners. That's probably not quite correct, but once
you've made a piece of jewelry or two, Fashion Beading will give you inspiration and tips to improve your skills. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Jean Campbell
is a founder of Beadwork Magazine and knows her stuff.
She has written numerous other books on jewelry making.
Her Getting Started Stringing Beads is very clear
and good for a complete beginner.
I just got a copy of Campbell's The Art of Beaded Beads: Exploring Design, Color & Technique . I didn't think it would interest me until I saw the Sea Anemone beads - hey, I can do that and I want to.
Since I started making bead and wire rings, I've been checking out all the resources I can turn up. Beadwork Creates Beaded Rings: 30 Designs (Beadwork Creates series), edited by Campbell, gave me some ideas and includes many projects using techniques outside my comfort zone like knitting and simple weaving. Nancy |
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: M. T. Ryan's Glamorous Beaded Jewelry includes 25 projects with very clear illustrations and directions. There are more than a few I absolutely love. Nancy
PS When I saw the cover of More Glamorous Beaded Jewelry, I salivated. The projects in this second book in the series are gorgeous.
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Jewelry from Nature contains 45 projects that use seeds and nuts and all kinds of objects you can find outdoors. Jane Marie lives near the beach, so guess whose sister is on permanent assignment to find those little shells with convenient holes in the top? Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Jewelry Just for You!
Beading Diary 2008 |
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: It
figures the Dummies series would have a jewelry making
book. Naturally enough, it's called Jewelry Making
& Beading for Dummies. Like all the books
in the series, this one is fairly comprehensive and full of
basic technique. Plus, it contains some tips on starting
up your own jewelry business. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: I can always tell when I've got my hands on a special bead book because I start running through my materials on hand to see what projects I can begin immediately. That's why I knew Barbara Case's Making Jewelry with Gemstone Beads was a keeper. Case also gives buying information I haven't seen elsewhere that includes pricing and availability. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: If
I want to make toe rings or other fun things, I look first
in Simply Beautiful Beading by Heidi Boyd for
ideas and instructions. Boyd has collected all kinds
of projects for every taste. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: Simply Silver, Simply Gold, by Nancy Alden, is a lovely book filled with projects I can't quite afford unless I get creative with my materials. Can do. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: So Easy Beading by Liz Thornton & Jean Power has very clear illustrations - I love this. Add in some great beginner projects and an unusual layout, and here's another bead book I like. What a surprise. Nancy
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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more: A Touch of Glass offers projects for gorgeous jewelry made from the finest glass beads. Your mouth will water. I promise. Nancy |
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CHAIN JEWELRY: Chain & Metal Jewelry from "BeadStyle" magazine, contains so many ideas I want to try, the pieces of paper marking pages that inspire and educate me bristle like a hedgehog from the top of the book. For example, the idea for turning baby spoons into jewelry ... . Well. you get the idea. Nancy |
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CHAIN JEWELRY: Chainstyle is an inspirational project book for those who like to incorporate chain into their designs as I do. It never fails to amaze me how creative designers are, and author Jane Dickerson is leading the way. Nancy |
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COLLECTING: Classic American Costume Jewelry, by Jacqueline Rehmann, is a good addition to your collecting library. There are lots of photos. Nancy |
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COLLECTING: Julia C. Carroll is an expert on costume jewelry. She explains how to build and care for a collection. Now I know what to look for and what to avoid as I grow the few pieces I have into something my daughters will reassure. Nancy |
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COLLECTING: Judith Miller has written a number of good books about costume jewelry. I came across her in Costume Jewelry and learned so much from this series. Thanks, Judith! Nancy
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COLLECTING: I didn't know much about costume jewelry until I picked up Costume Jewelry, How to Compare & Value by Steven Miners. It's a basic primer for anyone who wants to start collecting affordable beauty. Nancy
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COLLECTING: Vivienne Becker's Fabulous Costume Jewelry is a history of all the good stuff we've been collecting. It has great photos, which always make a difference since we want to see the pieces, even if we can't wear them. Enjoy. Nancy |
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COLLECTING: A Passion for Jewelry, by Laura Fronty, is beautiful and informative, but not a basic guide. I found the layout to be a little too clever and therefore annoying. Nancy
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COLLECTING: Leigh
Leshner is an expert on historic fashion jewelry. You
won't go wrong with any of her books from Warman's Jewelry Field
Guide to Vintage Jewelry. Nancy
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CRAFTING:
| "It
never ceases to amaze me how much beauty can come
from the simple process of combining beads and wire." Carol
Benner Doelp, The Art of French Beaded Flowers more
quotations |
I'm
not much for a massed bouquet of beaded flowers - unless perhaps
for a wedding.
Yes, white peonies or dahlias or camellias or ...
What I was going to say is a single beaded
bloom would look fantastic on my new outfit - or yours.
What are we waiting for. Nancy |
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CRAFTING: People are so creative. The projects for bead lovers are endless, and books like Beaded Ornaments for the Holidays and Beyond only make us more productive. I used to be a sucker for Christmas ornaments, but now I know how to make my own - only better and beaded! Nancy |
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CRAFTING: Dolly Mama Beads is the sort of book you might leaf through when you need wacky inspiration. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: I'm not a fan of the bracelet on the cover of The Art of Jewelry, Paper Jewelry by Marthe le Van, but then I opened the book and saw some projects I couldn't wait to try. Do not dismiss this book - there is something for you inside. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: When
I complete a project from Bethany Barry's Bead Crochet,
it will never make it to the pages of VeryShinyObjects.com. I couldn't bear to part
with anything that delectable. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Beadalicious, by Sonya Nimri, contains lots of projects and information. It also has bonus recipes for food and other useful goodies. I really like this book. Brava! Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Beading with Filigree, by Cynthia Deis, is a book for those who like exotic, romantic jewelry. The project tips alone are worth checking out. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: I
have never learned to needlepoint, but I couldn't resist Ann
Benson's Beadpoint. The projects are gorgeous
and the instructions are simple, but detailed. Even
I might stitch something beautiful. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: The directions and photos are not as helpful as they might be in Bella Beaded Jewelry. It's more of an inspiration book than anything else.
Donatella Ciotti makes beautiful jewelry, but do not buy her book unless you are a fairly experienced beader. Nancy
PS I wanted to make something similar to the beautiful wire mesh piece on the cover, but have you seen the cost of that stuff? |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Bent, Bound & Stitched by Giuseppina "Josie" Cirincione is something of a craft book with clever jewelry and paper projects. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: I have become obsessed with button jewelry. Of course, our CDO has long since raided my button jar, so I've had to go to garage sales to feed my habit (what a hardship). In any case, I was thrilled when I opened Susan Davis' Beautiful Button Jewelry. Davis combines a great deal of knowledge with wonderful projects, and I am a fan. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: You won't find a better guide for your creativity than Margot Potter's Beyond the Bead. She gives us techniques as well as projects you will enjoy learning as much as I have. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: You will enjoy using the techniques in A Charming Experience by Kelly Snelling & Ruth Rae. The authors suggest collaborating with others to increase creativity. Your new jewelry will be fun and unique. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: When I first opened Crystal Chic by Debbi Simon, I saw some of the projects and thought I would never make them because I wouldn't wear them. However, when I made a second pass, I realized this is a very useful book. It contains techniques I hadn't considered, and it's those techniques I will use again and again. So thanks, Debbi. I can't wait to get started! Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Custom Cool Jewelry, by Melinda Barta, is full of fun ideas. Mixed media bring out the creative in those of us who dabble and this book is a good technique guide. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: I
gobble up every book on jewelry making I can get my hands
on just to learn more about all the skills I've yet to acquire. Dazzle has lots of good ideas and techniques
- check it out. Nancy
PS
Author Kenzle also wrote The Irresistible Bead. |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: The ingenuity of some people just amazes me. Sherri Haab's Designer Style Jewelry is packed with all kinds of simple but clever projects, so my copy contains multiple bookmarks. Check it out. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Elements of Style, by Rosemary Hill, combines fiber and other techniques for unique jewelry. Fans of fiber arts will be delighted. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Enchanted Adornments is Cynthia Thornton's delightful and creative book about her approach to mixing media and inspiration. It's not to be missed. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques, by Vannetta Seecharran, isn't quite big enough to live up to being an encyclopedia, but the author manages to include lots of ideas for us to consider. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Fabulous Jewelry from Found Objects is not for beginners, but the unusual jewelry projects will inspire you at any stage in your skill level. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Some of the creations in Flea Market Jewelry by Binky Morgan are suggestions rather than projects, although there are many detailed projects, too. What I like best about this book is the pure inspiration - there are so many pieces (think unusual crowns and head pieces) I'd like to start NOW. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: French Inspired Jewelry by Kaari Meng is an eye opener. Meng tells us all about reworking vintage beads and buttons and oddities into gorgeous jewelry. I wasn't seriously scouring the paper for estate sales until I opened the book, but stand aside. There are treasures out there ... Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: As I get more comfortable with my jewelry making skills, I find myself considering everything with regard to its jewelry possibilities. If you are the same, check out Carol Grape's Handmade Jewelry. It's full of clever ideas. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: When Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry arrived, I was beginning preparations for a jewelry summer camp. Some of the tons of projects I planned were based on the pages of Cathy Jakicic's fun and clever book. I promise you, too, will find beautiful jewelry ideas within its pages. Nancy
more on autograph books |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Hardware-based jewelry is edgy and fun. Sometimes it's beautiful. Try Jewelry with Hardware, Gems, and Beads by Nicolle Noelle Sherman for ideas, ideas, ideas. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Junk Drawer Jewelry is an inexpensive way to introduce aspiring jewelry makers to the craft. The materials are easy to locate and the designs are clever. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Junk Jewelry is a fun project book. If you like the offbeat, Jane Eldershaw's book is for you. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Creative people keep looking for new ways to make fun / beautiful things. Jewelry makers want to know new techniques to enhance their skill sets. That's why Making Mixed-Media Art Charms and Jewelry, by Peggy Krzyzewski and Christine Hansen, is so useful. Nancy
more in the July 25, 2010 Beading Diary
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: The idea behind Janette Schuster's Mixed-Media Collage Jewelry is to take stuff, add mementos and end up with wonderful, wearable jewelry. And why not? Schuster's book of useful relics opened my eyes to new possibilities from the garage and attic. Never throw anything away. Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: When I first looked through The New Jewelry by Carles Codina, I saw a lot of clever projects and several rubber band necklaces that turned me off. On my second read, I realized one of the rubber band necklaces was very ingenious and started to get into the spirit of the book. Let's face it. Good looking is just that. No matter what the materials. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Susan Grant Lewin gathered fresh and unique jewelry pieces for One of a Kind, American Art Jewelry today. While you can't just open the book and start producing masterpieces without a major background in design and craftsmanship, you will be inspired. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY:
Amy Hanna's Rejuvenated Jewels if more than a find-cool-old-stuff-fix-it-up book. It's also a book of creative and clever techniques. Adapt away! Nancy |
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: I've been seeing a lot of rubber stamping as people discover how creative they can be with this medium. The antique look is easy to incorporate and the results are spectacular. Try Sharilyn Miller's Rubber Stamped Jewelry and see what I mean. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: Once you've leafed through Stephanie Lee's Semiprecious Salvage, you'll look at found objects with an eye to turning them into great jewelry. I, for one, am thinking baby spoons. Nancy
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CREATIVE MEDIA JEWELRY: That Jean Campbell never sleeps. Her Steampunk Style Jewelry is the found object fancier's answer to Victorian jewelry creation run wild. You will have great fun with this book. Nancy
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EARRINGS ONLY: 101 Gorgeous Earrings from Martingale Co. is a great collection of earring ideas. the project directions are located at the back of the book, which is annoying. Nancy
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EARRINGS ONLY: You will find lots of project ideas, plenty of tips and good directions for a variety of earrings in Make Your Own Earrings by Jane LaFerla. It will inspire the creative inside you. Nancy
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EARRINGS ONLY: A Year in Earrings is a fantastic book with 365 projects! What else do you need to know? Nancy
more comments in the Beading Diary entry for October 18, 2009
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FIBER JEWELRY: I
will never make the wonderful designs in Helen Banes' Fiber
& Beaded Jewelry. I probably won't ever get
to wear anything as beautiful, but if you are so inclined, got
a copy of the book, and weave a work of art. Nancy
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FIBER JEWELRY: I'm fairly sure I will not have time to try all the techniques in Hand Felted Jewelry and Beads by Carol Huber Cypher, but the results are sooo beautiful. If you need some design inspiration, this is the book for you. Nancy
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FIBER JEWELRY: If
you remember the macramé era of the 20th century - or even if you don't, you may enjoy
sharing Hemp Jewelry by Judy Ann Sadler with
your daughter, granddaughter, niece or other younger friend.
Or you might want to get a copy to make some fun hemp jewelry
for yourself. Nancy
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FICTION: Wahoo!
A beading mystery series by Barbara Burnett Smith, author of
the Purple Sage series. Nancy
PS The enclosed instructions are not
the reason to get this book.
PPS Begin with Bead on
Trouble. |
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Amazon: The
Moonstone (Oxford World's Classics) by Wilkie Collins |
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Amazon: The Sapphire Sea - John B. Robinson |
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FICTION: A Visible Darkness, by Michael Gregoria, is not for everyone. It is well written, but it's heavy going. Still, I had to finish it and when I did, I was disturbed by the murderer's philosophical conclusion, which reminded me of the historical truth that ideas spring from somewhere - you'll see what I mean if you read the book. It is a nasty murder mystery, volume two of a series, set on the Baltic Sea in Prussia (there was no Germany then) during the occupation by Napoleon's army. The French are after amber, and a mad desire for polished, untreated amber beads rose up in me as I turned the pages. Bead lust, however, is not the same as a vision of the future in which the manifest destiny of racial superiority ... well, you know that story, and it's not pretty. Nancy |
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FUN: If
you can find the real jewels by using the clues in Michael Stadther's A Treasure's Trove, you actually get to keep them! Or take a cash prize instead. Nancy
PS All the jewels have been found
from clues in the first book, but a second book is on the
way with over $3M in treasure! |
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GEM LORE: If
you're into the mysticism and magic of gemstones and jewels,
Scott Cunningham is the author for you. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic,
you get all the gem lore of the past and present. Nancy
more
on this book
Beading Diary June 19, 2005
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GEM LORE: Jewelry Materials
Fred
Wards's Gem Series is, of course, a series
of small books packed with a lot of information about many
types of gemstones. I got Pearls and learned a lot. Nancy |
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GEM LORE: Beading Diary 2009
Antoinette Matlins' Definitive Guides |
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GEM LORE: Beading |
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JEWELRY LORE: Bead One, Pray Too, by Kimberly Winston, is a detailed history of prayer beads as well as a guide to making your own. Nancy |
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JEWELRY LORE: Brilliance, a production of the American Jewelry Design Council by Cindy Edelstein & Frank Stankus, is a collection of beautiful contemporary jewelry by today's leading artists. It's pure inspiration for the rest of us. Nancy |
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JEWELRY LORE: Brighton Collectibles created Charming: Jewelry with a Message to celebrate charm bracelets. Enjoy. Nancy |
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JEWELRY LORE: I
just love to play Let's Pretend while looking at jewels
in museums. But I can't always travel to major exhibits, so I fill in with books like Clare Phillips' Jewels and Jewelry - this book highlights the
collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. (page on the V&A coming soon)
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The
National Gem Collection by Jeffrey E. Post is the
same type of mouth-watering treat. Nancy |
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JEWELRY LORE: Every
once in a while, a piece of jewelry is created that takes your
breath away - that's how I feel about some of the treasures in
Daniela Mascetti and Amanda Triossi's The Necklace,
wherein the history of jewelry is laid out for our pleasure
and enlightenment. This book is part of a series. Nancy
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JEWELRY LORE: Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright loves jewelry as much as the next woman, but she got to show off her fabulous pin collection to heads of state everywhere. Her pins are woven into her life story and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed Read My Pins. Nancy
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JEWELRY LORE: France Borel's The Splendor of Ethnic Jewelry will inspire you and, perhaps, make your mouth water and your pocket itch. Ethnic jewelry is fabulous, and the book is packed with photos by John Bigelow Taylor. Nancy
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JEWELRY LORE: You can't imagine the creative genius of the artists who contributed to A World of Head Ornaments until you see the photos in Anne van Cutsem's book. The book is part of a series, and I can't wait to see the other jewelry the author found in the Ghysels' collection of ethnic jewelry. Nancy
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JUVENILE FICTION: You can hook a kid with beads because they're pretty, but a good story never hurts. The Magic Beads, by S. Nielsen-Fernlund, is a sweet bead story with a heart. Nancy
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KIDS: 20-Minute Crafts - Beading by Katherine Stull is one of those kid books that has projects I can make with great results. That's what I'm talking about. Nancy |
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KIDS: Beading, by Judy Ann Sadler, is what my beloved favorite author, P. G. Wodehouse [he invented Jeeves, the butler who served the brainless Bertie Wooster who was played by the guy who stars in House] would have called a "slim volume." Even so, I found a number of simple techniques and projects inside including a great idea for beaded tassels. Nancy
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KIDS: Beading
With Lizzie McGuire is a good way to introduce preteens to beading. There are lots of photos and colorful projects
for the beginner. Nancy
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KIDS: Sherri Haab and Michelle Haab are a creative bunch, I may never be a kid again, but their book, Dangles and Bangles, contains ideas I'm going to use for projects to wear and sell. Nancy |
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KIDS: Jewelry Making for Fun is an excellent beginner's guide to the basics of all kinds jewelry making. It's crammed with fun facts and tips, and gives just enough information to allow a child to complete a project her way, leis to friendship bracelets included. Nancy
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METAL CLAY: It's hard to imagine a better time to get into beading. There are wonderful product innovations that give us more scope like metal clay.
Irina Miech's series, Metal Clay for Beaders and More Metal Clay for Beaders, explains the basics and offers projects for both beginner and intermediate metal enthusiasts. Honestly beaders, what are we waiting for? Miech has given us a can't fail roadmap to gorgeous jewelry. Nancy
PS As if those great books weren't enough, Miech does it again with Inventive Metal Clay for Beaders. You won't be a metal clay beginner for long once you begin creating jewelry based on the projects in this must have book.
PPS Miech's Metal Clay Rings keeps the series going for advanced metal clay designers. |
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METAL CLAY: Metal
art clay, according to author Nana Mizushima, is "fun,
forgiving, fast, and friendly." Her book, Metal
Clay Magic, offers tips, techniques and projects for
both beginners and more advanced students. I didn't get
beyond the table of contents before falling in love with a piece
of jewelry I can make without becoming a silversmith.
Metal art clay is amazing, and so is Mizushima's book. Nancy
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METAL CLAY: Silver Clay Keepsakes, by Katie Baum and Judi L. Hendricks, could be a great metal clay beginner book, but it came as a slap-on-the-head-why-didn't-I-think-of-that book to me because the projects, especially the charms, mesh beautifully with the way my brain has been nudging me. The authors present excellent information, tips and details for using silver clay wisely and well, and projects beyond my beloved charms for those who want to stretch their repertoires. Nancy
more in the June 30, 2009 Beading Diary entry |
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METAL CLAY and POLYMER CLAY: At last. Patricia Kimle has written the book for clay people of all persuasions! It's called Perfectly Paired Designing Jewelry with Polymer and Metal Clays!!!! You must get a copy if you want to expand your creative world. Nancy
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POLYMER CLAY: Gail Ritchey's Artful Polymer Clay is fresh inspiration for creating beautiful things with little pieces of cheap clay in a toaster oven. Life is good. Nancy
more in the September 22, 2009 Beading Diary entry |
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POLYMER CLAY: Polymer
clay is a marvel. In Creating Your Own Jewelry,
Chris Dupouy has given us clear and simple directions to surprisingly
intricate projects. Nancy
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POLYMER CLAY: The whole idea of faux anything, whether it's art or wall textures or beads is a tribute to how clever people are. In Polymer Pizzazz from Bead & Button Magazine, you not only get the how-to for some fairly simple techniques for making your own designer beads, but you also get polymer basics as well as complete jewelry projects. What are you waiting for? Nancy
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SEED BEADS:
I didn't want to love Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence, but who wouldn't? The projects are gorgeous. Nancy |
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SEED BEADS: Creative Beading, volume 4 shows us what we can aspire to in bead stitching, weaving and more. A wonderful series if this volume is an example. Volume 5 has even more ideas, including some for wire and knotting. Nancy
more in the July 16, 2009 Beading Diary and July 25, 2010 Beading Diary
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SEED BEADS: Crystal Brilliance, by Anna Elizabeth Draeger, is more than a seed bead book. The author shows project after project that combines seed beading stitches with crystals, lots of crystals, in a sort of perfect storm of gorgeousness. My beading friends and I will be spending hours with this book. Nancy
more in the April 29, 2010 Beading Diary
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SEED BEADS: Cube Bead Stitching is the seed bead book for anyone who isn't sure she wanted to try traditional beading. I love the difference the shape of a bead makes, and highly recommend Virginia Jensen's book. Nancy |
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SEED BEADS: Georgene Lockwood wrote The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading Projects for intermediate beaders. She has lots of projects, but I could have done with more detailed illustrations. Nancy |
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SEED BEADS: Seed Bead Fusion, by Rachel Nelson-Smith, is a breakthrough from more traditional seed bead books. Nelson-Smith makes bold choices in her materials and techniques for fun and interesting results. Nancy
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SEED BEADS: Seed Bead Savvy appeared magically in my mail box and the rest of my day was spent in bead heaven. When I first started beading, I shied away from seed beads because I lack a crocheting background, but you know what? You will make all kinds of beautiful jewelry with seed beads and this bead book. Nancy
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SEED BEADS: Beth Stone has written two great volumes on seed bead stitching, cleverly named Seed Bead Stitching and More Seed Bead Stitching. Her books are creative and inspiring. Nancy |
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SEED BEADS: Shaped Beadwork, by Diane Fitzgerald, is a collection of next step projects for beadwork fanciers who want the most sophisticated results. The concepts are outstandingly original. Nancy |
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SEED BEADS: If
you love beautifully beaded objects made with many tiny beads, Simply Sensational Beading by Dorothy Wood is
a good place to start looking for projects. The advice
is clear and the results will be beautiful. Nancy
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SEED BEADS: I've really gotten into beading now that I have a group of friends who guide me. But it's books such as Your Seed Bead Style from Bead&Button magazine that set my bead lust aflame. I want to amass bead stashes like my friends have (you wouldn't believe me) and make gorgeous seed bead plus pearl and crystal or even tile (I kid you not, it's in the book) and whip up something jaw dropping. And with Your Seed Bead Style, I have the directions to do just that. Nancy
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SILVERSMITHING: Liz Jones has translated her love affair with the butane micro torch and fine silver into a great book of easy techniques for the beginning silversmith in Silver Wire Fusing. I strongly recommend her book. Nancy |
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WIRE WORK: A friend says All Wired Up by Mark Lareau is the best wire
jewelry book out there. It's pretty good. Nancy
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WIRE WORK: Bead and Wire Art Jewelry, by J. Marsha Michler, is full of basic techniques that move you right along to intermediate pieces you'll love. Nancy
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WIRE WORK: I. Miech's Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders is a pleasure to use. Miech offers three levels of creative projects that will add to your skill set and to your jewelry box. Nancy
more comments in Beading Diary 2009 - January 24 entry |
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WIRE WORK: Elegant Wire Jewelry, by Kathy Frey, is a treasure trove pf unique projects and ideas. Nancy
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WIRE WORK: Links, by Jean Yates, combines lots of simple wire techniques and more for some projects that will make your mouth water. Nancy |
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WIRE WORK: You can learn something from most any bead book, but Linda Jones Making Colorful Wire & Bead Jewelry is exceptional. It has simple but unique projects anyone would be proud to make. Love it. Nancy
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WIRE WORK: Making
Wire Jewelry has lots of projects, 60 by the author's
count. The directions are very well illustrated.
The book actually made me want to go out and buy wire so I
could get started. No, wait. I already have some
squirreled away. Now I know what to do with it. Nancy
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WIRE WORK: Making Wire Jewelry and More, by Linda Chandler and Christine Ritchey, is an excellent basic technique book - one of the best because everything is completely illustrated - there are three pages on how to make jump rings alone. I love it. Nancy
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WIRE WORK: Mostly Metals is subtitled A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Design. Author Karin Buckingham is a gifted teacher/communicator who explains why as well as how to complete a project and learn a skill. This is the way all books should be written. Nancy
I just read your review of my book, "Mostly Metals," and I wanted to thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the book! Karin Buckingham
artfulcrafts.blogspot.com |
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WIRE WORK: When
you're only beginning to work with wire, it's good to have
a well-illustrated reference book like Mickey Baskett's Wire
Jewelry in an Afternoon. It contains lots of whimsical projects. Once you learn the basic techniques, you can make jewelry and critters! Or jewelry with critters. Nancy
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When you get to the advanced stage of wire wrapping, you will want to consider investing in Dale "Cougar" Armstrong's Wirework. Armstrong is an acknowledged leader in the field and a well known teacher. her book will guide you through all kinds of projects. Nancy |
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WIRE WORK: Once you understand the basics of wire work, please check out Linda Chandler and Christine Ritchey's Wire Wrapping. The projects are classics and very clear. Nancy |
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WIRE WORK: Wrapped in Gems, by Mai Sato-Flores with Jesse Flores, is full of photos of rich gorgeous jewelry. My only complaint is in the fact that instructions are pretty much copy only. I would have like more illustration in that area. Nancy |
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Amazon: The Beaded Home: Simply Beautiful... by
Katherine Duncan Aimone |
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Amazon: Complete Beading for Beginners by
Karen Rempel |
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Gem Buying Guides |
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