Customer Reviews

Antique Style Bead Accessories

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Matsuko Sawanobori designs jewelry, owns a bead shop in Tokyo, and teaches beadcraft. In this book, she presents instructions for making rings, lariats, necklaces, brooches, earrings, hair ornaments, and a beaded pouch. The front of the book displays rich color photographs of the designs, accompanied by instructions regarding the primary techniques used in each project. The back portion of the book includes tips on techniques, materials lists, and diagrams for the projects. Instructions for altering some of the designs are given, so there are even more designs in the instructions than there are in the photographs. The jewelry is created using crystals, seed beads, pearls, and designer beads, together with wire or fishing line. Bead sizes, quantities, and suggested colors are listed, but you won't find a detailed supply list (i.e., no Delica or Toho numbers). The photography is striking and clear, the diagrams are large and well-labeled, and the written instructions are clear (but succinct). However, you should expect to see an instruction like 'make a beaded ball', without reference to the page on which these instructions are given (in this case, later in the book).

Basic beadwork and wirework experience is assumed. Ms. Sawanobori provides a cursory overview of tools and techniques, but this is not a book for a beginner. I highly recommend this book for an intermediate to advanced beadworker. The designs are delicate and beautiful and the instructions are open-ended enough to lead you to expand upon the designs.

When I travel abroad, I keep my eyes open for book shops and, when I find one, I look for craft books. If the instructional pictures are good enough, it doesn't really matter in what language the script is. Beadwork that I've found overseas reflects the local culture, being very different in style than beadwork in the US. Japanese style is evident in Matsuko's book. Like Ikebana, the Japanese art of arranging flowers, beadwork in Japan reflects simplicity in its use of line, size, shape, and space. Starting with the book's cover, you will see the influence of these sparse design elements in Matsuko's beadwork jewelry. Owner of Hiroo Bead Bazaar in Tokyo, Matsuko gives us almost fifty projects, including rings, lariats, chokers, brooches, earrings and hair ornaments. The beautiful finished projects are in the front of the book and the easy-to-follow instructions are in the back.

This book has the most creative ideas that I have seen from any bead book. The designs are so fresh and come with detailed instructions. I love this book!

This book contains some great bead projects. it has lots of great up-close color pics and suggestions for variations of the projects. The only downfall is that the directions are not as detailed as I'd hoped for. Some of the projects are beginning level some are closer to a slightly more advanced level but all are fun to try and to use as building blocks for your own style and ideas.

This was a great help in learning how to make beautiful jewelry. The directions are easy to follow. You will love making your own jewelry.

I tend to choose from the books you can preview (the "see inside"). I don't think there was enough of a preview in this case, because I probably would not have purchased it. When I recieved this book yesterday, at first glance, I was not totally impressed. I am an intermediate beader and was looking for some new ideas/inspiration. However, there are a few patterns in this book that I will utilize. The author does some very simplistic designing here. She chooses very "safe" color choices. For a new beader with some very basic skills (basic 2 strand weaving, crimping, etc.)this book would probably be very useful. I have on one occasion used the bookstore to preview books and purchased "Bead Fantasies" from Amazon after doing so. I was not disappointed whatsoever!! This is a great book with many ideas using fabulous color choices. So lesson learned: go to the bookstore to preview beading books!! Then come back to Amazon & buy...

i didn't really like *any* of the projects. really, for me nothing spectacular or even wearable here.

i know that sounds harsh, but what i really mean to say is:

before buying this book you might want to find it in a bookstore and flip through it to see if there's anything in it you like. i bought it from amazon in good faith based on the reviews and wish i'd saved the money for more beads.