21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book, April 23, 2010
This review is from: Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving: Jewelry Lavished with Fringe, Fronds, Lacework & More (Beadweaving Master Class Series) (Hardcover)
I have been a Laura McCabe fan for a number of years and this book fantastic. She takes a handful of beads, a needle an thread an turns it into art! It's great to see how her creative process works, taking things from nature and transforming them into beautiful pieces of wearable art. The diagrams and the instructions are very helpful. I have all three books in this series so far and constantly find myself going back to them for reference in my beadwork. The basic stitches and techniques sections are great.
Thank you for another great book and keep them coming!
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glitz is Over Rated this Book is not!!!, May 6, 2010
This review is from: Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving: Jewelry Lavished with Fringe, Fronds, Lacework & More (Beadweaving Master Class Series) (Hardcover)
First, I am in the bead business so I am biased. Most of us do not get to walk down the red carpet. Crystals are way too over rated!!! In this book, Laura uses Japanese and Czech seed beads to accent natural materials and frosted(matte) glass, as in her "Nudibranch Bracelet"(page 83). Laura states, "embellish means to decorate, to enhance, to add beauty through ornamentation or fanciful details". The components are not the star, but the artist is. Laura's jewelry can be worn at your local coffee shop or at your most cherished event. Either way, they make you feel unique, not one of the crowd. Thanks Laura.
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33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Modern Book of Treasures with a Nod to Classic Roots, May 21, 2010
This review is from: Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving: Jewelry Lavished with Fringe, Fronds, Lacework & More (Beadweaving Master Class Series) (Hardcover)
This book draws the reader in instantly. Just one glimpse of the fabulous necklace on the cover will lead to the delightful realization that a master of jewelry design is at work. Laura McCabe is famous for her beadweaving, and rightly so. The reader can clearly see the whole intention of a piece of jewelry which she has designed, through her beadweaving skills. At the same time it is obvious how her choice of embellishments specific to each piece add a sort of remarkable brilliance and depth to her designs. If you are new to beadweaving, have no qualms. The book begins with an introduction which explains the point of embellishment. The author knows that if you embellish your beadwork with further beads, you reach another level. Beads are empowering in more ways than one, and she notes many of the purposes of wearing or carrying beads. Then the question is asked, "How do we use these beads to their best advantage, to make ourselves beautiful and add fanciful details to our world?" She answers her own question by revealing the point of this book: to "provide the knowledge and inspiration to take your beadwork to the next level by embellishing beads with yet more beads..." I particularly like the freedom this book imparts in the introduction by Ms.McCabe.
As she says, "Although I give you step by step instructions, don't feel you have to reproduce the projects in this book exactly; instead, use them as basic building blocks for your own embellished forms. I genuinely hope you'll take what you learn here and apply it liberally to your own creative endeavors." This quote marks an exciting and challenging beginning to what is a super fun and educational journey into the world of embellished beadweaving. Chapter One is a succinct commentary on beads through history. The beautiful photographs of both antique and vintage beaded items such as purses and Victorian beaded wrist warmers counterpoint the author's own modern offerings. She seems to possess an ability to soar in her designs the way the master painters do in their paintings. It adds a third dimension to appreciation of art within jewelry design, to my mind.
Chapter Two contains a nicely laid out list of items required for the basic beader's kit. If you want to make this sort of jewelry, this is what you need to have at the ready. I found this very illuminating, as the author took the time to explain why she chooses certain products over others.
Chapter Three is devoted to the basic stitches and techniques. This is great! I assure you that all is well explained, and here you will garner the understanding of the stitches which you will need to build your embellishments upon. This chapter contains nice clear graphics which are easy to grasp, even for a beginner.
Chapter Four is a Comprehensive Guide to Embellishments. This is really fun! The author's intention is to take the reader, step by step,through organically inspired embellishment forms. She exudes a femininity and sensuality in her work which is hers alone. The reader will sense this, viewing how to make basic buds, berry clusters, and basic beaded leaves, among other embellishments.
Then get your socks knocked off by her phenomenally creative and unique creation, "Eyeball Creature". It is great to see a fantastic piece like this to encourage your own creativity.
I want something like this for myself! So, how to obtain this sort of creation? Keep on learning, using this book, Embellished Beadweaving, as your mentor and guide.
The designs which are shown in this chapter may make you say "Wow!" out loud. I am certain you will not be frightened off by the loveliness and ingenuity of Ms. McCabe's well photographed pieces. Quite the opposite. With the solid graphic drawings and explanations backing you up, you will be eager to continue learning.
Chapter Five is entitled Approaching Color and Design. Early on, in this lovely book, it is clear that one of Ms. McCabe's finest talents is her appreciation of the beauty of color and its balance within a design. She discusses where her inspiration comes from: items such as weeds and berries from nature, items from the past, and even old National Geographic Magazines. She explains why woven beadwork holds such an appeal to her in this chapter. For one thing, she states that she wishes to "channel the feel or emotions conveyed by the object [which she has been inspired by] to create a fantasy world version of the real-world piece.
I cannot think of a more wonderful way of approaching jewelry design!
Chapter 6 is called The Projects. Here is where you beadweave and embellish, utilizing your newly found knowledge. There are delightful earrings offered, a Rosebud Ring I particularly love, and a fabulous matching Rosebud Bracelet which almost made me faint with delight when I got to that page. There are necklaces such as the Cherry Blossom Pendant Necklace, an unexpected surprise in a colorway of teals and gold, employing peyote stitch, beaded beads, Czech glass spacer beads, and pearls with Ndeble; well worth the effort, I have to say, if you try it! There is a great Eyeflower Pendant Necklace for you to try. All the projects are wonderful.
I enjoy the fact that she beads her own toggles with great frequency. It is a wonderful added uniting touch to this sort of embellished beadweaving. When I got to the gallery, my breath was taken away. Nothing but the best from her friends. An awe inspiring collection to finish an awe inspiring yet easy to use book, by a truly great teacher who honestly and openly displays to her readers her true love of beads on every page. If you love beads too, owning this book, Embellished Beadweaving by Laura McCabe, will be well worth the investment.
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