|
Publisher:
Sterling/Chappelle (Distributed in UK by Chrysalis Book Group)
|
Release
Date: February 2004 |
ISBN:
1402706154 |
Awards:
|
Format
Reviewed: Large Format Paperback |
Buy
it at Amazon US
|| UK |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
How-To Books/Beadwork |
Reviewed:
2004 |
Reviewer:
Rachel A Hyde |
Reviewer
Notes: |
Copyright
MyShelf.com |
|
Wonderful
Wire & Bead Crafts
By Mickey Baskett
This
attractive primer shows you how to make all manner of things using
beads and wire. You can guess this from the title alone, but there
is a lot more in here than the bare minimum. You can find out about
the healing properties of beads, learn all about wire and beads
themselves, their many varieties, and what tools you need to transform
them into whatever you fancy. The main strength of this book lies
in its wealth of surprising and imaginative projects. The chapters
range from the invariable jewelry and beaded vessels to more unusual
items. Some of these include wire sculptures for the desk or garden,
items for the bathroom or kitchen, a couple of Christmas decorations,
and quite a few decorative pieces for entertaining. Some of the
projects have a very New Age flavor, while others are aimed at more
traditional folk who want to make things for the home or to wear.
This mixture is perhaps a little uneven, but it may attract a wider
readership. Many different artists have contributed the projects,
so there is, perhaps, something for everybody here.
This is not one of those books that
starts out with easy projects and ends up with advanced ones. You
will have to pick something you like and read the instructions through
before you can gauge if it is right for your level of expertise.
I would not personally recommend this book for an absolute beginner,
but there are already quite a few books on the market directed at
the novice, so it is nice to see something for intermediate bead
hobbyists. The book offers diagrams showing the shapes for the wire,
but no staged step-by-step diagrams. This is a book to spend quite
a bit of time with while you master the techniques, as there is
a fair bit to learn, but anybody who enjoys this type of work is
sure to enjoy doing this. They will have some attractive items to
show for their efforts.
One bonus about Search Press books
is that you can write them for a list of stockists (although these
are generally in the UK) or visit their website at www.searchpress.com
and read the list there.
|