Seed Bead Fusion [Paperback]

Rachel Nelson-Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Featuring 18 exciting projects presented with detailed step-by-step photography, color variations, and practical illustrations, this fresh approach to seed bead jewelry teaches crafters how to combine materials, techniques, colors, inspiration, and design ideas for jewelry with a contemporary edge. Inspired by a wide range of sources—from Indian Punjabi folk costumes to Native American beading—the designs in this inventive resource fuse materials such as silver, copper wire, seed beads, Czech glass, and crystals into these traditional arts in order to achieve a unique outcome. All of the basic beadweaving stitches, wirework, and stringing techniques are explained and illustrated.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

If beadwork conjures up images of hippies and dangling, useless, crafts-market jewelry, Nelson-Smith will make all those nightmares vanish. The 18 designs are unveiled, each with plenty of instructions. Included in each is a listing of techniques, materials, tools, sizing/finished size; What’s the story, or her explanation of the piece’s name and inspiration; directions with color photographs and illustrations inserted at appropriate steps; Nelson-Smith’s tips (such as coat the thread with beeswax to maintain its tension); and At a Glance, a photographic depiction of the major activities within each item (for instance, bases, bumps, assembly, and so on). The last chapter covers all the basics, whether types of beads and the different tools to the how-to’s of fasting and stitching. The jewelry—earrings, necklaces, and bracelets of all sorts—comes close to museum-quality manufacture, with three-dimensional effects adding to true statements of adornment. --Barbara Jacobs

Review

"If beadwork conjures up images of hippies and dangling, useless, crafts-market jewelry, Nelson-Smith will make all those nightmares vanish. The 18 designs are unveiled, each with plenty of instructions. Included in each is a listing of techniques, materials, tools, sizing/finished size; What’s the story, or her explanation of the piece’s name and inspiration; directions with color photographs and illustrations inserted at appropriate steps; Nelson-Smith’s tips (such as coat the thread with beeswax to maintain its tension); and At a Glance, a photographic depiction of the major activities within each item (for instance, bases, bumps, assembly, and so on). The last chapter covers all the basics, whether types of beads and the different tools to the how-to’s of fasting and stitching. The jewelry—earrings, necklaces, and bracelets of all sorts—comes close to museum-quality manufacture, with three-dimensional effects adding to true statements of adornment." — Barbara Jacobs, Booklist

"Easy to understand written instructions and excellent close-up photography clearly showing the thread paths. Kudos...innovative and highly effective use of thumbnail layouts that offers readers a condensed view of the construction process." — Monsters and Critics.com

"18 projects that push the borders of seed beading in new directions. Think layers, think 3-D, and think adding materials into your seed beads to stitch, wire, or weave contemporary edgy creations." — Bead-Patterns the Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159668156X
• ISBN-13: 978-1596681569
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rachel Nelson-Smith is a master beadweaver whose work is infused with a unique sense for fabrication techniques. With a wealth of knowledge and fearless adventure, needle and tools shape bold and vibrant works alive with enormous energy and dynamism. Coloring outside the lines, an approach based in freedom allows her to extemporaneously express thoughts as they happen--with wide use of color and energy, physical manifestations are created in beads and wire.

Examples of her dynamic finished work have appeared in 'Masters: Beadweaving' (Carol Wilcox Wells, 2008, Lark Books) featuring profiles of modern beadweaving masters as well as seven projects in Kate Shoup Welsh's 'Not Your Mama's Beading' (2006, Wiley Publishing) and instructional jewelry-making books 'Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence' (Marcia DeCoster, 2009, Lark Books) and 'Contemporary Copper Jewelry' (Sharilyn Miller, 2009, Interweave Press).

Rachel has focused on pushing the boundaries of improvisational beadweaving and wire techniques to amaze the viewer. Since 1996, she has taught jewlery-making and spoken on her work domestically and abroad for bead societies, art schools, bead stores, park & recreation programs, and privately.

Residing in beautiful Santa Cruz, CA with husband Colin, Rachel endeavors to spread peace and inspiration through her peerless achievements.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Missing ranking and instructions sometimes not clear enough, January 17, 2010

By 

B. Velder - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seed Bead Fusion (Paperback)

I am a long term beader, I am quite skilled in peyote and have a reasonable experience with wire wrapping. Based on my experience teaching, this books has some omissions that may have made it exceptional. There were basics missing for the wire wrapping projects, such as the use of an awl and how to wrap such that the wire does not kink. I was somewhat disappointed with the instructions and step by step shots of the wire wrapped bead, that could cause a significant amount of frustration, as it did with me. I would have hoped the editing would have picked this up, or testing projects on beaders of all levels of experience, and the gaps are obvious in some of the very complex projects in the book. Although there are basic instructions in the book, this is not a book for beginners and this is not made sufficiently clear. There are assumptions and jumps in some of the instructions that make it quite difficult if one does not have several years experience with peyote stitch or right angle weave. A friend with some weaving experience could not finish any of the projects I gave her without me showing her every step. Having said that, the constructions are very clever and intelligently engineered and that is a breath of fresh air. I do like this book, but have some reservations with the clarity of the instructions.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's wonderful!, September 10, 2009

By 

Liz Thompson "The Bad Liz" (Somewhere in the Mid East of America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seed Bead Fusion (Paperback)

I recently received my copy of Seed Bead Fusion and it's a wonderful, colorful, beautiful, kaleidoscope of colour, technique and inspiration. Rachel's book has more step by step photos than I thought possible. It's so well lain out with easy to see diagrams and written instructions. The summary of each project is a brilliant addition - it really makes me believe that I can make all the wonderful pieces in this book.

Prior to this year, I hadn't bought many beading books. But Seed Bead Fusion is another must have for any well-stocked beaders' library.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Seed Bead Fusion by Rachel Smith-Nelson, September 22, 2009

By 

Lavecca "Lavecca" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Seed Bead Fusion (Paperback)

Everything I had hope it would be. Rachel's instructions are very clear. She had included directions for projects she had sold the patterns for at $75. This book is certainly a bargain. Warning, her techniques are addictive.