This is a beautiful book full of gorgeous pieces. The book opens with a section that covers all of the stitches that are used in this book -- peyote, ladder, brick, square, herringbone, RAW, nepal chain, St. Petersburg chain, and backstitch. That alone indicates the scope and extent of the projects in this book, which combine all of these stitches to create 20 elegant, lovely projects. As Maggie indicates in the introduction, the book is geared towards the intermediate seed beader.
The projects themselves are divided into three main sections: Ancient and Antique Jewelry as Inspiration, Mosaic and Textile Motifs as Inspiration, and Architectural Elements as Inspiration. While a couple of the pieces are ones that Maggie has taught before (such as Santa Sophia Pendant and Girandole Earrings), most are new and they all draw from the Italianate and Turkish influences that Maggie is most known for. The pieces also have a nice variety, with nice coverage of bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Maggie also tends to favor cylinder (Delica) beads, and almost every project uses them. She focuses on creating small components, which are then linked together into intricate, sinuous designs.
Each project also includes a brief explanation of the inspiration for the piece. The three main sections also include photos of original, antique pieces, and the entire book includes with a lovely gallery of photos.
The supply list is given at the start of each project, and, as with other Lark books in this series, the directions are clear and are nicely supplemented with illustrations. I also love that these new Lark books are hardback, which make them so much easier to bead and work from.
Overall, this is a lovely book with gorgeous pieces to inspire the intermediate and advanced beader!
Jean Yates and Marcia DeCoster put into words so many things about MM that I had been thinking. I am amazed at her ability to look at an object, building and be able to translate its essence into a piece of jewelry. That she is then also able to so eloquently write about it and its history shows more talent.
I've had the joy of having MM as a teacher and she is one of, if not the best. But not only is she excellent in person, she is just as good on paper. Her directions are detailed, enlarged, showing bead by bead, direction, word by word. One cannot fail. She is superb.
And so are her designs. I've made several of her designs, all earrings and bracelets. They are show stoppers and conversation starters.
And,like Jean Yates, I think my favorite in this book is the last bracelet in the book created in a rich ivory with gold accents and ivy growing along its length. I don't have my book right next to me,so I don't have the name, but its image is rich in my mind. I need to go search through my Delicas right now!
Greco-Roman antiquity lovers rejoice! Seed bead lovers cheer! Maggie is a genius with her interpretations of her beautiful beaded jewelry designs. A multitude of bead stitches to use with clear and illustrated pictures inside, and detailed list of supplies for the projects featured. As quoted, Beadweaving Master Class is not necessarily for the straight out, never done beadwork before beginner but can be for the strong to persevere and accomplish. Peyote/Gourd, Herringbone/Ndebele, Right Angle Weave, and St. Petersburg are just a sampling of the stitches within.
A great addition to any bead lover's library.
I do wish the stitching diagrams were more strongly color coded to make it easier to spot the starting points, differentiate the beads added in the last pass, etc. The thin red outline they use just isn't visible enough. As it is I keep losing my place and it's very frustrating. It's hard to read the diagrams at a glance.
Some of the designs are worked with a looser threadpath, so trying to get the same shape as in the original almost feels like trying to copy someone else's handwriting. It takes several tries.
That said the styles are so diverse there's something to interest everyone. I love the author's historical style. I am very glad I got this book.
Fabulous book! Wonderful projects, designed with and artistic flair, and clear directions and diagrams to allow you to complete them. A definite must for the serious beader.
Feature Product
Description
The book was a bit of a disappointment. What was there was wonderful with a couple of exceptions of some very odd little pieces, but the disappointment was in the fact that the instructions for the pieces I expected to be there, based on her advertising, were not.
I did not achieve my goal, but I did see some wonderful work.
Wow... what beautiful ideas and great patterns. Well written.. maybe not for beginning beader. Can't wait
to try some of the designs ..
This is an amazing book. Her designs are unique, and wearable. I love that she goes over where she got her inspiration and how she translates that into beads. The pictures are beautiful and the directions are easy to follow. IThis is one of my favorite books.
Eye catching designs and good to follow descriptions. I am very much impressed with this book.
very easy reading instructions and I found it to be inspirational
0 comments:
Post a Comment