SHAPED BEADWORK & BEYOND by Diane Fitzgerald

SHAPED BEAD WORK & BEYOND (Dimensional Jewelry in Peyote Stitch) by Diane Fitzgerald and Published by LARK JEWELRY & BEADING an Imprint of STERLING PUBLISHING larkcrafts.com . The amazing and brilliant author Diane Fitzgerald has had a full life with family, a graduate degree in mass communications and working in the electric utilities. Diane has had a love for beads since she was a young girl of ten years old. So Diane decided to make beads her full time career and has never looked back. Diane learned from many great people such as Horace Goodhue- (author of Indian bead-weaving patterns), Carol Perrenoud (Carol Perrenoud is a bead artist, teacher, and entrepreneur) , Virginia Blakelock- (Working in isolation for 10 years, Virginia emerged as the most important artist of the “new beadwork” movement on the west coast. Her book “Those Bad Bad Beads” was the first modern approach to beadwork; she was the first to describe the herringbone and African helix stitches. Virginia’s work is featured in Beading Across America, available from Kalmbach Books.), and Helen Banes- (Helen was a Torpedo Factory artist from 1983 – 2010. She was among the founders of both Fiberworks and the Bead Society of Greater Washington. An author and teacher as well as an artist, Helen also taught for the Smithsonian Associates Program.) What an amazing group of artist and teachers. After learning all she could, she began designing jewelry with beads and writing and illustrating instructions for teaching and for her very own publications. Diane has traveled all over the world learning and making many life time friends. Diane is an original member of the group of Swarovski Ambassadors. Including this book, Diane has written and even dozen books. This 176 page large soft cover book, is just absolutely crammed full of Diane's knowledge and designs. I truly don't think she left any stone unturned in her administrations to detail. Diane has shown her true generosity and it shines brightly in this publication. I love the photography and the detailed illustrations are extremely helpful. A quick shout out to : Mindy Brooks the technical editor, Nathalie Mornu the editor, Melissa Grakowsky Shippee the Illustrator, Lynne Harty the photographer, and Kathleen Holmes the art director. In the beginning all the ground rules, Techniques, patterns, supplies and tools are laid out for you. This gives you all you need to have in order to learn and make these amazing fun designs. You will learn all about Dimensional jewelry in Peyote stitch. You are also given a lesson on essential knots you will need to know. Like I said Diane leaves no stone unturned . She not only tells us how to do the stitches but how to undo them also. She talks to us about preparing the thread, melting thread tails, forming a ring of beads, adding thread, and how to add 3 beads at a corner ....Oh and positioning beads. Well if that don't have your head spinning we're not done yet...ha ha ...You will learn about triangles, pentagons, hexagons and squares. You will be taught all about Temari beads, chevron pendants, how to incorporate crystals into the design, Bumpy Icosa beads and how to make a five point star. Several of the designs have variations which to me is just icing on the cake. You will learn so many designs, such as the tear drop and the elongated tear drop. You will be able to make the Radiance pendant, Butterflies and beaded beads, cute pillow beads and Moorish tile beads. What an abundance of brilliance you get...the designs I have mentioned and tons more are accompanied by photgraphed, illustrated, and written instructions. I could tell you all the many things you are going to learn and be able to make but there has to be some surprises and believe me when I say to you there are surprises. You will not be disappointed in any way, shape or form. I hope this information about Diane Fitzgerald's book has been helpful in your decision to run right out and get your copy today or better yet order at larkcrafts.com. Thank you, bye for now Jacqueline Marchant , Reviewer

Aimee Rays SWEET & SIMPLE JEWELRY

Aimee Rays Sweet & Simple Jewelry. 17 Designers, 10 Techniques & 32 Projects to Make . Text and Illustration by Aimee Ray. Published by: Lark Jewelry & Beading an Imprint of Sterling Publishing. About the authors: Aimee Ray and Kathy Sheldon Aimee Ray, is an artist, illustrator and creator. She is also the author of Doodle Stitching: Embroidery and Beyond, Doodle Stitching, and Doodle-stitching: The Motif Colloection,and she has contributed to many other Lark titles. www.dreamfollow.com and www.littledeartracks.blogspot.com Kathy Sheldon: Writes, edits and packages craft books. She has written and edited many books, including- Shrink! Shrank! Shrunk : Making Shrink Plastic Jewelry, Fa la la la Felt!, and Heart-Felt Holidays. Kathy says she is her happiest when she is creating. As mentioned there are 17 designers who contributed to this adorable fun book. All designers are accomplished artist and have a strong love of beads and the jewelry they make. Several of these designers have etsy shops, studios and blogs. As I look through this publication at the individual projects they put a smile on my face. So I called them the happy projects. They just oozed fun and happiness to me. At the beginning of this book you are given a birds eye view of all the projects in gallery form of small photographs. They really give energy and enthusiasm to your designing and creating appetite. Some of these projects might even be a way of introducing daughters and nieces or grand daughters into the world of creating jewelry. Then Aimee and Kathy make sure they cover the basics with the help of all their designer friends. You know what I mean by basics right? Materials needed such as: felt, fabric, embroidery hoops, beads, cabochons, buttons, polymer clay, epoxy clay, etccccc. Then they cover the tools you will need like pliers and cutters,, scissors, hole punches, just to name a few. They move on to the techniques you will learn and use. Such as embroidery essentials: hoop, thread, and stitch, tying knots. Making cabochons and cameos. Then needle felting and making shrink plastic jewelry. Along the way you will receive handy little tips. You will learn about adding jump rings, making a simple loop, making a simple loop link, making a wrapped loop, and making a wrapped loop link. After all of this generous and juicy information gets those creative gears in your head cranked up well then the projects begin. For each individual project there will be a material and tool list for said project. You will have step by step written instructions and for some of the projects there will be illustrations and beautiful pictures of the finished pieces. In the back of the book you are provided with templates. Then you get to read: info about each incredible designer, a section about authors and acknowledgments then index. I think I am going to dive into the polymer clay projects first. I hope you enjoy your copy of this SWEET & SIMPLE JEWELRY project book. LARKBOOKS.COM

Jacqueline Marchant-Book Reviewer

The Wired Tree: Ring Tutorial- Beaded Wrapped Stone Ring

The Wired Tree: Ring Tutorial- Beaded Wrapped Stone Ring: This tutorial is for a Spiral wrapped Beaded Stone Ring. This ring is one of my favorites to make. It's pretty, elegant, versatile,...

Project Necklaces

Project Necklaces, 30 designs using beads, wire, chain and more with 29 contributors. Published by Kalmbach Books, Editor: Erica Swanson, Art Director: Carole Ross, Illustrator: Kellie Jaegar, Photographers: James Forbes and William Zuback . The projects in this book are simply beautiful and come to us straight from the pages of Bead & Button Magazine. The artists who created each project in this publication are brilliant and extremely knowledgeable. Each jewelry artist gives you a material list and step by step easy to follow instructions along with illustrations and photographs. There are projects of necklaces for any and all occasions you might face. Such as a fancy ball or company dinner...Or maybe just a fun piece to lift your spirits. You are guaranteed to find something right just for you, or that special friend or family member. So let these ladies and gentlemen spend the day making your dreams come true in the world of jewelry. Learn, Make, and give it away or show it off, it's all up to you. Check out this completely mesmerizing group of projects. When I say the projects in this book are beautiful , well let me just say that word doesn't seem descriptive enough. These projects are brilliant, stunning and mesmerizing all rolled up in beautiful...Okay I am getting a bit carried away ...Pick up your copy today and judge for yourself, you want be disappointed.

Jacqueline Marchant-Book Reviewer

Metal Clay 101 for Beaders by Kristal Wick

Metal Clay 101 for Beaders by Kristal Wick and published by Lark Jewelry & Beading An Imprint of Sterling Publishing. About Author: Kristal Wick is an international award-winning designer and a Swarovski ambassador. She has been represented in galleries spanning the globe. She is the author of several publications and she also has 2 DVD's you might be very familiar with these book titles: Fabulous Fabric, Sassy Silky Savvy and Foxy Epoxy and these DVD's: Mixed Media Beaded Bracelets with fiber Beads, Crystals, Resin and wire ...Also Mixed Media Jewelry Making with Handmade Beads, Crystals, Resin, and more. Kristal teaches all over the world. At quilt shows and at beading shows and she even teaches on cruise ships. She has created Jewelry for celebrities . Her designs have been featured in multiple well known publications. She has been a guest on HGTV and PBS many times. So believe me when I say to you. She poured her heart and soul into this book. Her endeavors to help us all in an easy to understand manner is very evident. Here is what Kristal supplies you with for each project. Oh and let me just mention there are 23 fun and very pretty projects. First there is a brief introduction. You are then given the basics such as the types of metal clays and the tools and materials you will need to make your project of choice. Kristal also tells you how and when to use them. She presents you with the fundamentals of metal clay. The firing of metal clay, creating patinas on metal clay and embellishments. Kristal goes so far as to give you step by step illustrations, what could be easier right. Kristal has done all the hard part. Now all we have to do is collect and create. You are given photographs along with the illustrations. What more could you ask for. In the back of this publication there is also a gallery idea book of gorgeous photographs of brilliant jewelry by various known artist to motivate and inspire you. So dust those cobwebs out you know the ones blocking your creations from letting themselves be known. Take the leap and go for this very rewarding and fun medium of jewelry creating.

Jacqueline Marchant-Book Reviewer

Contemporary Jewelry in Perspective Edited by Damian Skinner

Contemporary Jewelry in Perspective, Edited by Damian Skinner and a joint venture between the Art Jewelry Forum (www.artjewelryforum.org) and Lark Jewelry & Beading- an inprint of sterling publishing. About Damian Skinner. Mr. Skinner is an art historian and curator of applied arts and design at Auckland Museum and former editor of Art Jewelry forum. Mr Skinner is from Aoteroa, New Zealand. He was a Newton International fellow at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Canbridge, from 2012-2013. This 264 page publication takes you on a detailed extensive journey into the world of contemporary jewelry. So fasten your seat belt cause here we go. First I would like to share with you something Mr. Skinner shared in this extraordinary and extremely enlightening book. He came across this definition of craft by jeweler Bruce Metcalf which he liked very much. Craft is Multivalent by which he means has more than one dimension or aspect. Metcalfs definition is flexible, but also describes a series of tendencies or histories that craft practices like contemporary jewelry will engage with. Most often contemporary jewelry is an object which has been substantially made by hand, and it also tends to be- although it isn't always- made from traditional craft materials, by traditional craft techniques. Contemporary Jewelry has been in existence for an extremely long time and has evolved through the years and through the eyes of their creators. This is what you will come to comprehend when you read this book. Mr. Skinner has been meticulous in his gathering of knowledge and history. The photography is mesmerizing, stunning and brilliant all rolled into one. This is really an excellent demonstration, and imparting of history and knowledge in the world of contemporary jewelry and art. Many of the pictures you see in this book will give you cause for pause. Pause to reflect and ponder the meaning and the brilliance behind the creation you are contemplating. The insightful presentation will truly inspire you. Hats off to Mr. Damien Skinner, the Art Jewelry Forum and Lark Jewelry and Beading.

Jacqueline Marchant-Book Reviewer

How to Use the Vintaj BIGKick Machine by Sizzix to Etch and Emboss Metal...

MY BEAD SOUP HAS ARRIVED

I am a part of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party. It is so much fun. You are teamed up with another beader from anywhere in the world and a total stranger. You send each other a package of beads and beading things. You then have a certain amount of time to use your soup. You have to make something with yoursoup. Then there is a reveal day when everyone who is participating reveals their creations on their blogs and pinterest. Then everyone can hop from blog to blog to view all the creations. It is amazing what everyone comes up with. You also make some awesome friends along the way. This is the 8th annual bead soup blog party.

My partner this year is Jelveh Jaferian of Jelveh Designs. http://jelvehdesigns.blogspot.com She is an amazing artist and educator of glass designs. She has a blog, facebook, twitter, and etsy shop just to name a few of her sites. She is crazy talented in her art...I wish I had a tenth of her talent. Her beads are stunning, brilliant and mesmerizing. Check her out you will be so glad you did.

Showcase 500 art necklaces by Ray Hemachandra and Chunghi Choo

Showcase 500 art necklaces is just that a showcase of brilliant and unusual minds. This gallery of mesmerizing works of art will keep you turning the pages . It is crazy wild how some people have the gift to pick up an object and see all the possibilities within it. That is what this book is full of. All of these spectacular artist / designers blew me away. Their imagination spoke to me in so many different ways. Their abilities were and are over the top. I was stunned by the meticulous care they gave to detail. This book is just brilliantly put together. You will see some bizarre works of art and be able to see the brilliance and the artistic endeavors, thoughts and interpretations flowing from them. This book full of ingenious works of art will open your mind to a world of possibilities. The artist used literally everything but the kitchen sink to form truly distinctive designs. This publication would be great to have in your studio to inspire your students creativity. All the different types of techniques used to create these brilliant works of art are to numerous to list but I think they are all used in this book. It is an inspiring,fun and amazing book and I am the proud owner of it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Jacqueline Marchant-Book Reviewer

Art Research: Art Clay Silver Shape Earrings (+playlist)

Build A Bird Polymer Clay Pendant By Barbara McGuire (+playlist)

Barbara McGuire Gold Leaf Mokume Gane Polymer Clay Tutorial (+playlist)

Translucent white graduated spiral (+playlist)

Translucent Dragonfly Wing Cane Polymer Clay Tutorial by Barbara McGuire

Simple Hammered Clasps - Beaducation.com

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EASY BASIC WIREWRAPPING TUTORIAL OF A UNDRILLED STONE OR OTHER FOUND OBJECT

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The Wired Tree: Ring Tutorial- Beaded Wrapped Stone Ring

The Wired Tree: Ring Tutorial- Beaded Wrapped Stone Ring: This tutorial is for a Spiral wrapped Beaded Stone Ring. This ring is one of my favorites to make. It's pretty, elegant, versatile,...