Jean reviews Mastering Beadwork, A Comprehensive Guide to Off-Loom Techniques, by Carol Huber Cypher

This gorgeous spiral bound book has all you need to learn any sort of basic (and some not so basic) off-loom beading techniques. Written by the popular and well known instructor and beader, Carol Huber Cypher, it contains a mindboggling and lovely collection of 64 projects for the reader to peruse and to choose from, As the back cover states, "It's a project book plus reference tool wrapped up in one". Don't we all need that sort of inspiration along with our go-to book for reference?
The author is an excellent teacher, and the opposite of intimidating. I had to laugh when I read her comments on setting up a beadworker's studio. She states, "All you need to start mastering off-loom
beading techniques are some beads, a needle and thread that will fit through the beads, and the ability to see the hole in the bead.Therefore, anywhere you arrange your beading materials (mise en place) becomes your beadworking studio."
This laid back approach is delightful and non-intimidating. The reader will discover as she progresses through this book that the same style and approach are used throughout, in each lesson and when explaining each beautiful project.
The beginning pages cover not only the materials needed but also offer a beadwork glossary. This is not usually found in regular beading books. It really adds wonderful understanding for new beaders.
Then it is off to the races with the very first stitch, and project. This is the peyote stitch. The "Band of Triangles" bracelet made using this stitch is very lovely. It has tons of impact due to its use of color (lavender and chartreuse) and design. It is heartening to have success when you are a new beader, right out of the box, Following this are many other offerings concerning peyote stitch and variations. All are very pretty! There are even some beaded beads made using peyote stitch. One of my favorite projects in the peyote stitch section is the Starry Night Card Case. It is so pretty in midnight blue with golden stars. What a fun project!
The Dutch Spiral stitch comes next. When the reader gets to the bead titled "Bam! Kick that Dutch Spiral Up a Notch! Bead" she is bound to be delighted with the colors and the play of shapes. This bead can be used alone or in a collection. Either way, it is very striking and pretty.
Netting is the next technique. I loved the Lacy, Spiky Bicone bracelet which shows off the delicacy of the netting style yet brings color to the fore once again by using brilliant yellow as the main color. What a great surprise! Also very appealing is a scarf which has been trimmed with netting. It is completely lovely.
Spiral Rope is offered following. I love the spiral and this chapter didn't disappoint. With lariats, bangles, and more, the reader will delight in the projects offered in this chapter. RAW follows at its heels, with the addition of an explanation of Cross-Needle Weaving.There are some worthwhile tips to be found particularly in this chapter. I love the "Band of Pearls" rings offered, too!
They are so elegant!
The Triangle Weave the reader will be learning is fascinating. Another ring, "The Flaming Cocktail Ring", is taught within this chapter. It is as dramatic and pretty as you could want. A fabulous choker appears here as well, glittering in greens and lilacs. This necklace, the "Five Easy Pieces Choker" will tempt anyone who has been paging through this wonderful book to stop right here and try out seed beading, for the first time or the zillionth time. This is the essence of pretty!
If you like earrings, there are some charming ones in Chapter Nine, which teaches the Ladder Stitch.
The "Delicate Beaded Ladder Earrings" have a natural look, like buds on a twig. They are divinely pretty and would suit a bride in a forest wedding.
Herringbone Stitch is a great stitch to learn, and the projects in this book are uplifting. I particularly love "Silver and Pearls through Thick and Thin Bracelet". It is totally entrancing.
There are so many more stitches it is awe inspiring to go through this book trying to choose which ones to point out, and which projects to discuss. The final chapters are devoted to several beautiful stitches such as The Brick Stitch, The African Polygon, and Bead Crochet.
Not including the index, Mastering Beadwork, A Comprehensive Guide to Off-Loom Techniques by Carol Huber Cypher is 233 pages of excitement, learning, and fascination. This book is a remarkable and glorious achievement which is not to be missed.First rate in every way!

Mastering Beadwork: A Comprehensive Guide to Off-Loom Techniques

By Carol Cypher

Interweave/F+W; $24.95

http://bit.ly/1NQ7zRa

Jean reviews Introducing Albion Stitch, 20 Jewelry Projects by Heather Kingman-Smith

This gorgeous teaching book puts Albion stitch front and center. As Marcia DeCoster says in her foreword, "...I love a book that gives us a comprehensive set of skills within one beadweaving stitch. Heather has done that here, building upon the readers understanding of the stitch one chapter at a time." Heather Kingsley-Heath further explains in her introduction that Albion stitch began "during a conversation between bead artist friends about how to bring fresh ideas into our beadwork."
Heather explains her process from the very start to the point when she attained the terminology and the language for the stitch. It is fascinating to read. The author lives in the UK (thus the name for this stitch: Albion means "a poetic or literary term for Britain or England (often used in referring to ancient or historical times"). However by now she has taught Albion stitch in several countries. She loves the excitement and experimentation which it engenders. You will too!

After the fundamentals and the basics, the reader will begin with Chapter 1: Flat Albion Stitch. This is the easiest way to understand and work Albion stitch. The projects are as pretty as can be, even if they are your first introduction to the stitch. For example, the second project, which teaches the reader how to increase when she makes this delightful segmented bracelet replete with brightly colored fans and a sewn-in snap clasp, is charming in coral red, coral pink and frosted turquoise seed beads with a trim of Czech frosted pellet beads. Check her helpful note on snap fasteners.
With projects like this to start off, what an inspiration this book promises to be! There are five fabulous project in Chapter 1 alone. The tech illustrations are wonderful throughout the book and the photos, which are plentiful, are super pretty.
Chapter 2 offers Tubular Albion Stitch.  As the author says, "Instead of a row of beads, the base row is a ring of beads...Tubular Albion stitch can be used to make pretty beaded beads and is the starting point for working three-dimensional designs." The pretty "Jangle Bangle" from the book's cover is in this chapter, as are four other wonderful projects. The reader will appreciate the unique offering opening each chapter which discusses color inspiration. The author really boosts your imagination with her heady and rich descriptions.
One project I could not take my eyes off of is the first one in Chapter 2. It is a necklace titled "Magic Lanterns". This name is appropriate, because the Tubular Albion stitch is made up here into various sizes of round beads. Strung on hand-dyed silken ropes in two colors of green, this looks like exotic jewelry purloined from Aladdin's Cave. The purples, yellows and brown seed beads play off the larger ginger brown seed beads and green SuperDuo beads. What fun this is! It is perfectly beautiful and very unusual. In this chapter, when the reader arrives at the "Jangle Bangle" check out the great notes the author has added to expand upon this project, if you fell for the book because of it!
Chapter 3 is titled "Ribbons and Lace". It is a study in the popular vintage revival going on presently. Among the author's favorite projects in this book is "Deco Delight." She notes that it is so light and easy to wear, while also making a "beady" statement."
The lovely necklaces are shown in teal and worked in that color, however there is a second necklace shown in dusty rose tones. The reader will love this necklace!
The bracelets following, "Vintage Lace" are also gorgeous. These lacy cuffs are wide and delicate. They lure the viewer in with their charm and subtle impact.
There is a lively pendant sporting crystals among the seed beads and a rivoli in the middle to attract the reader as well. It is called "Novely Lace" and is very appealing worn on a ribbon. It can be adapted to make a cuff bracelet as well, if a few are stitched together.
Moving on to Chapter 4, the reader will be learning about the last but not least part of understanding Albion Stitch. This chapter is concerned with Structure and Links. The author will pull from the previous chapters and explain how to "create designs that bring them together in different ways". This is very exciting for the reader. It more that double the understanding of this great stitch. The author offers these projects in neutral colors and they are stunning. The very first is a riff off of "The Novely Lace" pendant. It is titled "Roundelay Ribbon". There are two of these necklaces shown and the lighter colored one is the one the instructions are for. The basic shape is round here and doesn't hold a rivoli, but the glamour factor of this necklace, with five round circles asymmetrically attached by the basic Albion ribbon stitch is very cool looking. Another project impossible to pass up in this chapter is a cuff called "Maderon Arches". These lovely cuffs are depicted in two colors. The olive and silver is the one the reader will be working on. This is a gorgeous punchy bracelet with a lot of dimension because of the Rizo accent beads. Try this one and fall in love! The author calls it "a wonderfully sturdy statement piece".  This sort of design is the reason we love seed beads. You can't beat them for elegant, artisan beauty.
Check out the final pages for further information and to follow the author.
Introducing Albion Stitch, 20 Beaded Jewelry Projects, by Heather Kingsley-Heath, is a welcome addition to a beader's library. Clearly written and with beautiful photos, you can't go wrong with this brilliant new stitch!

Jean reviews Enchanted Knits for Dolls, 25 Mystical, Magical Costumes for 18-inch Dolls by Nicky Epstein

Nicky Epstein has written numerous beautiful bestselling books on knitting. Her designs have also appeared in Vogue Knitting and many other publications. She is internationally known and loved for her marvelous sense of style, her charming designs and her great projects.
Enchanted Knits for Dolls is completely inspiring fun for the reader who loves 18-inch dolls and also loves to knit.
Enchanted Knits for Dolls has stunningly photographed designs for many of the most beloved fairy tale characters. Each design is modeled by an 18 inch doll. If you have a little girl in the family who loves this size doll (or close to it), you and she will be completely entranced while choosing an outfit from this book, What you make will be totally  transporting.
In the author's introduction, which begins "Once upon a Time...", Nicky Epstein explains that in this, her 29th book, the skill levels vary. It is her hope that this will encourage children to begin knitting, as some of the projects are beginner level. So perhaps your daughter or grandchild will even learn to knit from this delightful book!
To look through this book is to return to the time when fairy tales ruled your life. The photographs are exquisite. The designs are amazing and wonderful. There are plenty of pages devoted to each project. The instructions are clear and easy to understand. Each doll pictured is incredibly beautiful in her special gown or outfit. I also liked the project I noted which had a doll and a little girl both modeling the author's knits. How fun!
Additionally, many of my own beloved fairy tales from my childhood appear in this terrific book. For example, the very first doll is dressed as the "Snow Queen", from the Hans Christian Anderson tale which was one of my all-time childhood favorites. She is smashingly dressed in an elegant cape, hat and gown, all trimmed in silver sparkles and snowflakes. It is quite an amazing outfit, and one any child would adore.
"Red Riding Hood" makes an appearance in this book as well. She is dressed in her little red hooded cape and an adorable dress with folkloric trim. She has charming button accents on the front of her dress, and a white apron over red. She couldn't look any cuter photographed with her basket, heading to Grandma's.
If you love magic, don't pass up the "Wonderful Wizard". This outfit consists of a cloak and a peaked hat. Both are edged with furry fluff in a deep blue. The cloak is trimmed with a gold star at the neck and it is knitted of a lovely yarn mix of dark blue and white, with delicate golden stars embellishing it. The hat has the same golden stars, and a crescent moon. This set is dramatic as well as completely adorable.
One set which delights with the fun appeal of lots of color is called "Gnome Girl". What a cheery outfit this is! With pointy red cap and red slippers with curled up toes, this set is heading off for some outdoor garden play. Other colors present to entrance the eye are vivid yellow, lively turquoise, and pretty violet, all tied up with a sweet orange vest, gold buttons, and daisies embroidered on the two front pockets. This is one happy gnome girl!
Looking through this book is like looking through a picture book of wonderful dreams and places for you to visit, any time you and/or your little one wishes to. However, because you can actually knit these elegant and memorable dresses and outfits, it is even better. You become a part of the story.
Fairy tales don't have to lose their gloss when you grow up. They are even more special when you show your love by passing the fairy tales on to your children by knitting their dolls something amazing to wear from Enchanted Knits for Dolls, 25 Mystical, Magical Costumes for 18-inch Dolls by Nicky Epstein, or even by teaching your child to knit, as is the author's hope. Either way, you will be completely enchanted by this amazing and lovely book!

Jean reviews Beadwork Creates Beaded Bags, 30 Designs edited by Jean Campbell

This charming book is shaped like a minaudière, or clutch pocketbook. This adds to the flirty fun of the idea of a collection of sumptuous beaded bags. And with Jean Campbell as the editor of these thirty designs for beaded bags, they couldn't be prettier!
As she says, "Page through the beautiful projects and select your perfect bag. You're about to make a stunning fashion statement!"
The thirty projects are all quite different and are offered by a number of wonderful beaders. Jean Campbell herself has designed three bags, and some of your other favorite beaders are represented as well, such as Jamie Hogsett, Dustin Wedekind, and Robin Atkins. There are plenty more too! If you love the unique and like wearable art, this book is going to be a great addition to your library.
Beadwork Creates Beaded Bags, 30 Designs is a blast to own and to learn from.
The opening bag is from the editor, and is titled "Fancy Dress Bag". It is an amulet bag, in the glorious colors of olivine, topaz and spring green with golden freshwater pearls. What a delicious bag to make and to own! It has an air of celebration which the reader will respond to instantly.
Moving to a different style entirely, "Emese's Bag", designed by Robin Atkins, is full-on gorgeous. Very feminine, primarily in pinks and green tones, this bag is made of cloth completely embroidered with beads of all sizes and shapes, including seed beads. bugles beads, drop beads and coin beads. It is encrusted with brilliant color and yet not a heavy looking bag. This is a little treasure of a bag and one anyone would be proud to carry and to have created herself! The inside is lined with a pretty cotton print fabric which goes with the flower garden feel.
Jamie Hogsett's "Off to Market" bag is knit using beautiful cotton and ribbon yarns and "candy-like resin beads". This carrying bag is amazingly pretty in gray-blue and green tones. The reader will be knitting as well as embellishing this stunning piece with gorgeous beads in green, gray-blue, light olive, dark olive, aqua and lavender. It is a slouchy shaped bag with incredible energy and appeal.
The sienna colored "Lotus Bag" by Dustin Wedekind is smashing, using purple/bronze silk fabric and seed beads in metallics, blues and clear colors. This bag is pure prettiness. The lotus pattern beaded on the front of the pouch shaped bag is offered in the book as a transfer so that the reader can recreate the pattern to perfection. This bag has sweet tassels on the closures and trimming the bottom.

No matter what your taste is, you will find a sweet bag to match it in Beadwork Creates Beaded Bags 30 Designs, edited by Jean Campbell. This is a fabulous book not to be overlooked if you love beaded accessories designed by some of the best in the beading arts!  

Beadwork Creates Beaded Bags

By Jean Campbell

Interweave/F+W; $16.95

http://bit.ly/1EeCR3Y

jean reviews Bead Play with Tassels, Techniques, Designs, and Projects, by Jamie Cloud Eakin

Jamie Cloud Eakin is a much loved instructor and internationally famous designer in the beading world. She has produced a number of fascinating books, primarily featuring seed beads. Once the reader sees the amazing things which can be done using seed beads it is great to learn how to create with them from such a wonderful, knowledgeable teacher. She is energetic, enthusiastic and makes beauty wherever she goes.

In Bead Play with Tassels, Techniques, Designs and Projects, the focus is on how to make some of the loveliest tassels the reader has ever seen. Tassels are a very popular fashion trend. They have also embellished every kind of accessories imaginable and been used as adornments for years. In this book, the reader will see how to employ them in all sort of fantastic and playful ways. From earrings to necklace focals to just the right finishing touch for a lariat, this book has all sorts of intriguing and pretty projects. Progressing from the simplest to grander projects which include gemstones or bead embroidery, the reader will enjoy learning and soon be totally entranced by the charming, cool, and flirty pieces she will be able to make.

In the introduction the author defines what a tassel is (a "collection of fringe strands concentrated in one spot"). She then explains why this can cause problems when making tassels (the strands become too big for the bead hole which is collecting them). The solution will be found in one of the methodologies in this book. As the author says, "Creating bead tassels does NOT have to be a hassle!" The seventeen projects will help you "practice the techniques, refine your skills, and jump start your own creativity!"  

There are six chapters in this fascinating book. Chapter 1 discusses the minimum tassel. As defined by the author, a "minimum tassel is one with less than seven fringe strands".  There are lots of uses for these types of tassels, and they can create lots of impact even with an amount of strands smaller than seven. Directions and photos explain the minimum tassel. There is a really striking earring project offered for the reader to try. It couldn't be more glamorous, and takes minimum to the max. There is also a gorgeous necklace which employs minimum tassels as accents to grand effect. The reader will discover how adept this author is at creating designs and adding impact with color, by now, if she didn't know before! The third project is a pin with three minimum tassels and it is equally lovely. 

Chapter 2 is titled "Standard Tassel". This type of tassel has seven to seventeen strands, according to the author, and is what most of us picture when we hear the word tassel. The reader will learn how to construct the base and create variations of it, depending upon how many strands she wants for her design. The tech illustrations here (and throughout the book) are very clear, as are the photos of the variations. You are going to want to try to make tons of tassels at this point! They all beckon to the reader for any number of reasons. Each one looks so different it is hard to believe that they are all made from the same "standard tassel" springboard. The author also has some great tips, too. There are basic tips, and "what if...?" tips, and tips which are actually important notes on aspects the reader needs to know. These are very helpful. 

The first project ups the beauty of an already lovely lamp work bead by accenting its colors in a swirl pattern which is really pretty. From a fabulous lariat, to multicolored earrings, to a triple standard tassel necklace, to a flowery tassel necklace in the colors of orchid, dark blue and olivine, the reader really begins to understand how fresh and appealing adding movement with tassels can be to a myriad of designs.  There are variations of some of the projects offered, and they are just as pretty. The 6th project in the standard tassel collection is a very full tassel and as such is fascinating. To read how to create this is to understand how this teacher's mind works and why she is so terrific. I loved this gorgeous project. The variation of it is just as glorious; designed all in creamy white pearl. At the end of the chapter the reader is offered a number of tassels which are suggested as Christmas ornaments but would also be great fan pulls, embellishments for keys to an armoire, and more. These are enchanting!

Chapter 3 concerns the Pom Pom Tassel which is defined as a very full, almost "extreme" tassel by the author. Created with a simple ladder stitch, the Pom Pom tassel is stitched onto a base. You create the base and add the fringe. There are variations such as Twisted Fringe and more. The explanation of how to design a Pom Pom Tassel contains lots of lovely photos, all with instructions. Each one is prettier than the next! The final one, "Standard plus Pom Pom Necklace" is a medley of raspberries, pinks, lilac lined seed beads and fuchsias and it is gaspingly beautiful. Tassels in the hands of this author have everything needed to leave you breathless.

The Spiral Tassel taught in Chapter 4 is just as pretty. Flouncy and full (or less so, if you choose), it spirals up to the beaded base in a completely mesmerizing way. The projects offered in this chapter are very cool and interesting because the viewer's eye is led to some many different places. Tassels have a lot of wonderful movement anyway. The projects offered here are fascinating to see and to try.  The third project, in a color combination which refers to blue and white as well as dark blue and a bit of brown, is just stunning. What pleasure the reader will get making this necklace!

Where the previous chapters offered directions on how to make tassels, and bases of tassels, Chapter 5 is specifically concerned with "Attaching Tassels".

Information on Top Loop Attachments, Double Strand Loop Attachments, Herringbone Loop Attachments, Ladder Stitch Top Loop Attachments and more are found in this essential chapter. There is a lovely photo for the Turn Bead Attachment, which can also be used on all the ornaments mentioned earlier in this review. It is super pretty! As well, there is a great explanation and instructions for how to attach fringe to other beadwork, such as the beautiful bead embroidered necklace, a photo of which the reader will find impossible to take her eyes off. It is used to help explain this section. What grand and pretty inspiration!

Chapter 6 has you covered with "Supplies and Basics". Not only is it a good, comprehensive list, the tip concerning converting hanks of Czech beads to grams is very helpful! Basic procedures are offered after the supply section as well as some excellent instructions for basic technique. 

As an additional book to refer to when you try Bead Play with Tassels, consider Bead Play with Fringe, by the same author. It will expand your understanding of how to work with fringe and tassels together. 

Bead Play with Tassels, Techniques, Designs and Projects, is, by far, the definitive book on how to create beauty with tassels. Jamie Cloud Eakin truly loves to teach and understands what we all want to learn: how to design more beautifully and more exceptionally. Don't miss this outstanding book for your beading library! 

Jean reviews Simple Soldering A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making by Kate Ferrant Richbourg with 2+ hour DVD included

Simple Soldering

A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making

includes instructional DVD, 2+ hours

by

Kate Ferrant Richbourg

Demystifies Soldering and Fires Up Your Interest in Design

Simple Soldering, A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making, by Kate Ferrant Richbourg is a complete course in soldering. It is taught with all the clarity and enthusiasm for which the author is famous. The reader learns to solder from this book (assisted throughout by the two hour accompanying DVD). Then he or she is offered some wonderful projects which progress in complexity. All of them are beautiful and add major incentive to master each technique being taught.

The first part of the book devotes itself to the basics of soldering. Every step of the way, the author is a reassuring presence. The reader will learn how to set up a work space, what tools will be needed for a "Solder Setup", and the additional materials needed. You are provided with everything necessary to know how to proceed from the idea of being a jewelry maker, to the actuality. Even the littlest questions you may have are discussed in sidebars. And always, safety is a factor in the equation, in Simple Soldering. 

I was knocked out by the method of learning devised by the author. I have never seen anything like it. It is wonderful. What the reader is presented with is a step by step sampler to learn the different methods required in soldering. You go through the sampler projects one by one, until you have completed the entire sampler.

When you are finished, you have sixteen little squares, each of which has taught you a technique you need to know for soldering. These can be mounted and framed like a picture, or made into a linked necklace. Personally I would go for the necklace, because the little squares, which have served to instruct so well, are very beautiful. They each measure 1" by 1" and use copper as the base.  When linked up they would look incredibly hip and fascinating. What a way to learn and what a way to show the world what you now know!

The second part of the book is comprised of projects which will add to your understanding of soldering. It plays an irreplaceable part in jewelry design. The projects go from easiest to most complicated. It is the hope of the author that the reader will start with the beginning project and learn by making each succeeding one in order. In this way the reader masters every aspect of what is being taught seamlessly.

This is where the Sampler you created in part one really shows its stuff. Each project refers back to the Sampler squares which you made (and are probably wearing on your neck right now, and maybe sleeping in it, too! I plan to!).

The first project is the "Hook & Eye Clasp" and the "Dapped Bead Caps". In this project, you will be referring to techniques you learned from Sampler square 2 (Texturing) and Sampler square 14 (Shaping and soldering domes). Isn't this method of teaching wonderfully fun? As you progress, you will be making beautiful rings, chain earrings, a lovely pendant with a pearl dangle, stack rings, cool ear wires you would never be able to find in any store, a stunning soldered key pendant, and more.

 Each project has the charm of artisan style. The hand crafted look is very evident and completely appealing. None of the designs are anything less than keenly beautiful. Kate Ferrant Richbourg is not only one of our greatest instructors, she is one of our greatest designers.

When you reach the end of Simple Soldering, A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making you will want to keep this super book close by your side for reference. It will be able to help you always, now that you have made the leap from learning to designing using soldering. What a treasure this book and DVD set is. Soldering becomes accessible and fun, with the help of this terrific book!

Simple Soldering: A Beginner’s Guide to Jewelry Making

By Kate Richbourg

Interweave/F+W; $29.95

http://bit.ly/1ELdJgH