Customer Reviews

Native American Beadwork: Projects & Techniques from the Southwest

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I came upon this gem while searching for ideas for using a packet of porcupine quills which a friend had purchased for me during his travels. I ordered the book online, based solely on a review which sounded promising. Little did I know what a treat I was in for!

The photography is stunning and whets the reader's appetite for undertaking the projects. The photos of the projects in various stages of completion are very clear. There is no difficulty in counting individual beads or determining where one row ends and another begins. In addition to the photos, there are diagrams which illustrate traditional stitches, as well as project patterns. Written instructions are explicit and complete. Ms. Geary has added a beadwork glossary, again with crisp photos and easy-to-follow diagrams. This is an indispensable reference for beaders, offering information on beading topics, in general, and Native American techniques and components, in particular.

In addition to the eighteen projects in the book, Ms. Geary has provided a succinctly and elegantly written introduction to the role of beading in history and particularly among Native Americans, e.g., its spiritual, cultural, and economic significance. Each project offers a brief, but very informative, introduction on the geographical and tribal origin of the piece or technique, and suggested variations, designed to spark the reader's own creativity.

Within one week of receiving this book, I had completed three of the projects and designed a fourth, based upon one of the author's patterns. This is a resource I will return to over and over, both for specific information and as a springboard for my own imagination. In the meantime, I'll be looking for more of Ms. Geary's work!

I'm a beader from Tucson, AZ and have bought many books on beading throughout the years. I was very impressed by the completeness of the Beadwork Glossary that included photos in Ms. Geary's book, as well as the easy to understand directions for the different projects. Her different beading techniques make this book a must have for every beader! Can't wait for her next book! Inspired in Tucson.

The author has indeed educated this anglo on some very interesting Native American traditions. Her writing is superb and the photographs of the completed projects are divine, thanks to Nancy Palubniak, photographer. Instructions are precise and very understandable. The step by step illustrations are also comprehensive and easy to read. I have been a collector of Beading Books for 12 years and this is my favorite, so far. I highly recommend every officianado of Native American traditions and beadwork purchase this book for their collection.

This book is excellent for describing technique. It's easy to follow and do. There are lots of interesting patterns and techniques you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere.

There is nothing traditional about what is described here. These are techniques for modern dodads and keychains. Still, it's great fun.

The history of Native American beadwork is interestingly written; the illustrations are beautiful and the projects are easy to follow. All in all, it's a beautiful little book.

I have this book as well as Theresa Geary's Creative Native American Beading book (Creative Native American Beading). Both are very good and in several respects interchangeable - not in the individual projects, of course, but in approach, quality, in the ranges of difficulty of the projects, etc. Both are project-centered books, have excellent full-color photos throughout, and have clear directions, advice on beads, needles, thread/wire, tensioning, tie-off, and other relevant techniques. I particularly like that Geary gives specific advice on topics like attaching beadwork panels to fabric and leather. That said, I wouldn't necessarily recommend either of these books to a new beader. Although easy projects are included, there just isn't enough handholding beginners information to start someone out cold from a book here.

The author is Native American and was traditionally taught. As with Geary's Creative Native American Beading book, I bought this one for one specific project. And, like the other, it's unfortunate that Amazon does not have a "look inside" for this book, as there is a range of projects presented in both type and difficulty level. Any buyer would be amply repaid for the price of the book by completing even one.

Because I could preveiw this book on Amazon, it met my expectation when it arrived. It was shipped quickly and arrived in excellent condition. Really easy to do business.

There are some good books on techniques and materials in the shelves out there. The there is a lot of kitsch out there that makes beading look like a second class skill or hobby.

This book excels in making beading a first class art. Although the Projects and techniques say they are from the Southwest, they are universal. The symbols do focus on the San Carlos Apache tribe. The finished product would be Worthing of giving as gifts or placing on the mantle:

Sonora-weave Choker

Netted Gourd

Floral Bracelet

Bone-hair-pipe Bracelet

Leather medicine gag

Triple-strand fetish necklace

Bear earrings

Comanche-weave feather

Chile Pepper

Corn-stitch earrings

Phoenix key ring

Kokopelli amulet bag

Netted basket

Flat round peyote basket

Powwow perfume bag

Navaho bead rug

Kokopelli pin

Medicine wheel

The book also contains information on Native American beadwork from the Southwest. Native American Spirituality. And a pretty good glossary.

Of course everyone will have their favorite; mine is Netted Basket.