Reviews
or Pages with
Mercifully SHORT Reviews |
Titles and
Bookstore Links |
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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: 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: 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: 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: So Easy Beading by Liz Thornton & Jean Power has very clear illustrations - I love this. Add in some great beginner projects and and an unusual layout, and here's another bead book I like. What a surprize. 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 reasure. 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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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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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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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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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: 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. 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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| 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: 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 |
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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 lacked a crocheting background, but you know what? You 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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| 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: 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. 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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| STRINGING PROJECTS: 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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| 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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STRINGING PROJECTS: 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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Amazon: The Beaded Home: Simply Beautiful... by
Katherine Duncan Aimone |
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| 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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| 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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| JEWELRY LORE: 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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| JEWELRY LORE: 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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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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Amazon: Complete Beading for Beginners by
Karen Rempel |
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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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| GEM LORE: If
you're into the mysticism and magic of gemstones and jewels,
Scott Cunningham is the author for you.
In 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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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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| 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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STRINGING PROJECTS: 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
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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Amazon: Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with... by Elizabeth
Taylor |
| 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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Gem Buying Guides |
STRINGING PROJECTS: 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 |
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Amazon: Glitter & Greed: The Secret World of the Diamond Cartel by Janine Roberts |
| 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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| BEAD LORE: Numersous 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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| STRINGING PROJECTS: 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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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)
The
National Gem Collection by Jeffrey E. Post is the
same type of mouth-watering treat. Nancy
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| CRAFT 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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| 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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| 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: 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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Amazon: The
Moonstone (Oxford World's Classics) by Wilkie Collins |
| 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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Amazon: The Sapphire Sea - John B. Robinson |
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| 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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Amazon: The Stone of Heaven: Unearthing the... by Adrian
Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark |
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