The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving: New Jewelry Designs with Classic Stitches (Paperback)

by Carol Wilcox Wells (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Some of the most elegant contemporary jewelry includes no precious gemstones, or even gold or silver. What artist-author Wells (Creative Beadweaving, 1996) conjures up in more than 30 bracelets, earrings, and necklaces is nothing short of breathtaking--all with a variety of colored seed beads, occasional larger beads, strong thread, and a flexible needle. The projects are built around five stitches--chevron chain, crocheted ropes, herringbone and peyote stitches, and spiral rope--all of which, the author assures us, can be readily mastered by beginners. Although 100 percent of the fundamentals, from graphic illustrations and charts to accompanying text and great color photographs, are all present and accounted for, it's still a better bet for novices to start with a kinder, gentler, and easier text. Galleries inserted liberally throughout the narrative capture the real meaning of aesthetic bead weaving. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
“Elegant contemporary jewelry....What artist-author Wells and her 30 colleagues conjure up in more than 30 bracelets, earrings, and necklaces is nothing short of breathtaking. All the projects can be readily mastered by beginners....One hundred percent of the fundamentals, from graphic illustrations and charts to accompanying text and great color photographs.” —Booklist.


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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books; 1 edition (August 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579905331
• ISBN-13: 978-1579905330
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,125 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winner and Still Champ...., June 24, 2002

By	"beren" (Fenton, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving: New Jewelry Designs with Classic Stitches (Hardcover)

I loaned Carol Wilcox Wells first book,Creative Bead Weaving, to at least five people who were peyote stitch novices and they all were able to follow her directions and diagrams. Her new book continues in the same direction. These beautiful and creative projects are designed by Mrs. Wells and other bead artists. The directions are clear and well written. But the aspect of Mrs. Wells' books that set her apart from the rest are her diagrams. I have not seen better in any other craft book and few that come close. One is lulled into believing that the most complicated project can be compleated by the least experienced beader. And the truth? With a bit of patience and practice, they can. The bracelet on the back cover is going to be my first project. It looks complicated; looks in this case are deceiving. If you are looking for a beading book, this is a combination of eye candy and utility. If you are looking for a book gift for a beader, I recommend this one.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art and Elegance of Beadweaving, February 17, 2004

By	Brenda Jo Mengeling (Davis, CA USA) - See all my reviews

In this book, Carol Wicox Wells uses standard bead weaving stitches (peyote, herringbone, crochet, spiral rope, etc.) to create a wide variety of stunning and elegant jewelry and vessels. She starts the book with a large chapter on beaded beads, both seed beads covering a supporting wooden bead (she also teaches you how to paint the wooden bead properly) and beaded beads made entirely of seed beads. None of the projects here are cute and cuddly, but all carry impact. I am relatively new to beadweaving and I found her instructions very clear. Her illustrations, as other reviewers have rightly mentioned, are the best in the business. I tend to learn audibly better than visually, so I need clear illustrations, and hers are the easiest to follow that I have seen. She also gives several possible vaiations in pattern and bead sizes that will change the look and texture of a technique she has demonstrated. These variations are very clear, especially as she explains why changing a bead size will increase or decrease a twist for example, and they also then engender a lot of creative thinking. The inspirational gallery pictures are actually quite inspirational. I have found this along with her other book, the two best books on beadweaving I have seen.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful beaded beads, vessels, and jewelry, August 28, 2003

By	Anne M. Helmenstine "azareal" (Myrtle Beach, SC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Over 30 beaded projects are presented by Ms. Well's and her colleagues. After a general introduction to materials and tools, the book is divided into color-coded sections. Each section begins by giving the reader an overview of a particular technique. These instructions are followed by a combination of projects and gallery designs. The diagrams are large and clear and the step-by-step instructions are easy to follow. The projects are bold and inspiring. Theoretically, a reader could complete some of the projects with only thread, beading needles, and seed beads. Ms. Wells encourages the reader to try substitutions for materials and explore design options, but if you follow the instructions as written, you will need some specialized tools, beads, and findings.

Beginning beaders may find the instructions too cursory and the projects overwhelming. Also, although the full title of the book is "The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving - New Jewelry Designs with Classic Stitches", many of the projects focus on making beads or vessels and not actual jewelry. Overall, I consider this book to be an excellent addition to a beader's library, but probably not an ideal choice for a novice beader.