I have another bead weaving book from the library that I've been reading this week:
Seed Bead Fusion: 18 Projects to Stitch, Wire, & String by Rachel Nelson-Smith. There really are only 18 projects in this book, and the bead weaving projects are all based off of 2 basic designs. While it is not one of the more diverse beading books I've ever seen, it does have some of the best instructions. The book includes directions in writing, drawings, and photographs for EVERY project. I've never seen anything quite like it. The photographs are all excellent quality. The other unique strength of this book is that there are pictures for each finished project of exactly what is explained in the directions and nothing else. I don't know if anyone else gets frustrated by this sort of thing in most books, but I think that it can be annoying to read directions for a basic peyote cuff and not understand what to do because every picture uses a different sort of bead or has a much more complicated clasp. This book is not like that! It is also not for a beginner, but it allows someone with a little knowledge of basic bead weaving techniques to take on some more advanced projects because all of the directions and pictures are so good.
In other creative endeavors, I finally tracked down
a free transcription for Golden by Fall Out Boy, which has been one of my favorite songs for over a year. No, I don't just keep Chopin books around for photographing jewelry, I really do play the piano. :P I haven't in a while, and it's been fun to work on a new piece again.
I finally edited and upload the pictures that I took of some of my older items last week. Take a look if you get a chance!
monochromatic retro charm fringed peyote cuff
double stranded raspberry right angle bracelet (2 versions currently available)
turquoise right angle bangle
double stranded blue and purple right angle bracelet
I used to play Liszt when I cleaned out my china cabinet; gone are the days of playing the Time Life series of records. Now I listen to Mia Jang and Steven Halpern on CDs. I respect people who can play the piano. I'll have my husband play your favorite song for me. I listened to Queen's I want to ride my bicycle after reading Christine's treasury on bicycles. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! Have a great weekend, too!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely going to check out that book - I have been trying to teach myself bead weaving, but a little instruction would help! Love the bracelets!
ReplyDeletesounds like a great book... I was going to say at first, "perfect for the beginner" but I guess not.
ReplyDeleteLove the turquoise bangle!
Thanks ladies!
ReplyDeleteI'm a very visual person and need photos to go with directions as well.
ReplyDeleteIf a recipe doesn't have a photo...I don't even bother. Not that mine ever turns out like the photo...LOL!
Haha I'm the same with recipes, both in that I like having the photos and that my cooking doesn't turn out like the photos. :)
ReplyDeleteawesome bracelets!
ReplyDeleteOoo, love the raspberry bracelet!
ReplyDeleteThank you much ladies! :)
ReplyDeleteYour bracelets look great! I think photographing your work on music gives all a cohesive look. very nice!
ReplyDeleteI hate it when you flip through a book, and there's all these awesome pictures. Only later you find out that directions are not given for most of these. And sometimes, furthermore, the directions that exist are incomplete or sketchy.
The library is a great source for books.
Thanks Margaret! Your compliments about my photography mean a lot to me. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree! Even books that have some great pictures and/or directions don't always provide everything in full.
I love the library. :) I get so many ideas for different color combinations and designs by browsing through all sorts of craft books.