Customer Reviews

Beading for the Soul: Inspired Designs From 23 Contemporary Artists

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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If you, like me, find that when you are creating pieces of jewelry you are released from everyday cares and nourished by what you are doing, then you will understand instantly what makes this book special.

I have been making jewelry for some time now, but I have never consciously tried to figure out what it is about the process of creating the things that I make that I find so replenishing.

Beading for the Soul explains in separate sections (for example: "Beading for Protection", "Beading for Good", Beading for Prayer") what it is that we are doing when we pick up a bead and SAY something with it. I was wowed by this book. I finally understood why someone like me, who has a love of beauty but also has a need for quiet, introspective time (as a parent of children with disabilities) would want to really come forward and express myself. Put me under the heading of "Beading for Healing". The author, Deborah Cannarella, has a chapter titled that. Yes, put me there, and put this book in your cart if you wish to understand why you are doing what you do when you bead. It is a beautiful book in every sense of the word, anyway. Lovely photos, moving stories from the artists, and inspiring projects. I am grateful I chose this book as one of my New Year's gifts to myself.

Some artists derive simple pleasure from their beadwork; others find a much deeper meaning in the craft. In Beading for the Soul, you will find not only a fine selection of beautiful beaded projects to make, you'll also discover ways to infuse your creations with depth and spiritual substance.
You will also gain from the insight offered by the contributing artists, who share the personal experiences, emotions and thought processes that support their creations.
For instance, a visit to an anthropology museum in Peru led artist Susan Guagliumi on a quest to make a "votive offering" to her craft: a mesh bag with an ancient cat motif. Other artists work through health issues, celebrate our environment, harness energy, and reconnect with their faith through beadwork.

Just received this book yesterday and can barely put it down. The photos are crisp, illustrating the details of each piece. It's refreshing to discover how an artist is inspired and not just what stitch or thread to use. Great gift for a beader!

Too yummy. I know, I should come up with a more professional way to say that right? Honestly though, I'm just in awe of the gorgeous work in this book.
It's not really a book for beginners,there is an appendix in the back that explains techniques, but a lot of the projects are a bit advanced, and laid out as guidelines, not finished projects, there are a lot of techniques and ideas in this book, I was absolutely stunned and inspired by Julia Pretl's gorgeously embroidered Heirloom Cube.
I'm thrilled with this book.

Since I bead and find the process very meditative, this book sounded like an excellent choice. The book is divided into catagories. Each give a little bit about the gem stone used and how it is used in different cultures. There are great pictures of finished pieces. This is an excellent book for inspiration of your next project or to see how different gemstones can affect your moods. I highly recommend it.

This book is great! I wanted a gift for my mother who is getting more experienced at jewlry making. She loves the book.

short on technique, lots of talk. Pieces could have been shown on/being used rather than as static objects.