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The first part of the book, “The Basics”, truly is a simple,
basic overview of tools and supplies, techniques, and even several easy options
for hanging an art quilt. There are no
extensive bead-stitching instructions, but the basic techniques shown are
well-illustrated and explained.
The second part, “The Projects”, contains 24 fun projects,
including several purses, a vintage pillow, an apron, and a soft art-doll. The rest are art quilts, at various levels
from sweet-and-simple to sophisticated-and-striking. One of the little handbags, by Veronica
Hofman Ortega, actually serves as a sampler of beading techniques on the front
of the elegant little bag. There is a convenient
“Templates” section in the back, for those who want to follow along with the
projects, or you can just use the projects as inspiration.
As a somewhat experienced beader myself, I was most taken
with the pieces by Sarah Ann Smith, Larkin Van Horn, and Deborah Boschert, but
many of the other pieces would definitely appeal to beginning-to-intermediate
beaders, traditional quilters who are looking for a slight twist to add to
their work, and those who just want to experiment a bit.
The third section is the “Gallery”, with smaller images of
some pretty exciting beaded artwork by other artists, including two of my favorites,
Susan Shie and Susan Sorrell. I have
already found a lot of inspiration in these images, and look forward to going
back through them again.
There is a nice section at the back (“About the Designers”)
which gives background, website, and contact information for the designers who
contributed. The actual Index only references “The Basics” section on tools and
techniques, and it would have been helpful to have indexed the artists’ names with the page numbers of their artworks here. This is really the
only issue I have with the book, however, and consider it a very nice addition
to my bookshelf.
Now, who would like to win a copy of this lovely book? I want to mix it up a little this time, and
have an actual contest instead of just a drawing. Leave me a Comment with a haiku (5-7-5
syllables) and I will pick a winner. It
can be about art, beads or beading, quilts or sewing, anything that inspires
you. (Don’t worry about not being a poet
… I’m not a tough grader!)
Here’s one to start you off:
Calmly
stitching beads.
Nosy cat jumps
in my lap …
All beads
on the floor.
If you’re new to haiku, it’s fun! Sometimes it’s easier for me to start off
with the last line, and build up to it.
Good luck! I’m
looking forward to reading your haiku, and sending this lovely book to the
winner.
