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Nancy's best buy bead book This is a series - volumes 1, 3, 4 and 5 are excellent.  More comments in Beading Diary 2005 & Beading Diary 2007 & Beading Diary 2008

2009 Beading Diary

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Since I fell in love with beads, I've been devouring books on the subject.  Here are some of my favorites arranged, more or less, by type.  This page is a constant work in progress.

Remember, I NEVER review books I don't like.  Nancy

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If a book you're looking for is out of print, click on any link to Amazon Books Home Page, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, or Alibristo find out if it is available as a used book.   

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BEAD LORE:  Beads, by Janet Coles and Robet 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.   Nancy

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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 fasinates me.  The product is a small work of art or a glob, depending on the skill of the beadmaker.  I don't claim experise in this area but I know Jeri L. Warhaftig's Glass Bead Workshop is a good book for second level beadmakers.  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 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 BeadsThe 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:  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 tradional beading than bead stringing, but the projects are fantastic and not hard.   Nancy

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BEAD STRINGING PROJECTS and more:  Easy Birthstone Jewelry is pure creative inspiration - read more in the March 8, 2008 Beading Diary

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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 kniting 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:  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 surprize.    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

BUYING JEWELRY - ENGAGEMENT RINGS:

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With This Ring

Wedding Books

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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 reasure.  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:  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 JewelryNancy

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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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CRAFTINGDolly 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:  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 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:  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:  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:  The idea behind Janette Schuster's Mixed-Media Collage Jewelry is to take stuff, add mementos and end up with wonderful, wearble 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 prjects 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 tp 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:  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 spoonsNancy

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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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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.

Amazon: The Moonstone (Oxford World's Classics) by Wilkie Collins
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

Amazon: The Stone of Heaven: Unearthing the... by Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark

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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

JEWELRY LORE:  Jewelry Colors
Amazon:  Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with... by Elizabeth Taylor

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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 treaures 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 seriesNancy 

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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

JEWELRY in the REAL WORLD:   Beading Diary 2004
Amazon: Glitter & Greed: The Secret World of the Diamond Cartel by Janine Roberts

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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 Susin 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 tassles.  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 jewely 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 friendhsip bracelets included.  Nancy 

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METAL CLAY:   Metal Clay Beyond the Basics is the next step for metal clay enthusiasts. More in the March 8, 2008 Beading Diary.

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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. 

 

series

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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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POLYMER CLAY: Polymer clay is a marvel - see Craft Books.  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:  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:  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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SILVERSMITHING: Liz Jones has translated her love affair with the butane microtorch 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.  She might be right.  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:   Irian Miech's Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders is a pleasure to use.  Miech offers three levels of creative projects that will add to your skillset and to your jewelry box.    Nancy

more comments in Beading Diary 2009 - January 24 entry

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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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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

Amazon: The Beaded Home: Simply Beautiful... by Katherine Duncan Aimone
Amazon: The Blessing Stone by Barbara Wood
 
Amazon: Complete Beading for Beginners by Karen Rempel
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