Book review: Textured Bead embroidery

Anyone who knows me knows I adore books. All kinds, all shapes and sizes... and I enjoy building a library of art books for technique, education and inspiration. Jen Cameron sent me "Textured Bead Embroidery" a while back - and I was waiting to really have a chance to dive in, make something, and give it serious thought. I'm a relatively new seed bearer; open to new ideas!

Linda Landy has a book of eye candy here! (I mean that in the best way!) The book at first thumb-through is filled with clear and colorful diagrams, and tantalizing pictures. It was published in October 2014 - so I think some of you may have seen it by now? If not - go! ( available online and at book stores near you.)

My favorite section = The Bead Directory. Daggers! Lentils! Drops! Spikes! As well as the old faithful bugles, hex, keishi pearls... The break down of shapes was informative, and the images were very inspirational! Ways to use these fun shapes in bead embroidery - made all sorts of ideas pop into MY head! (And I hadn't even gotten to projects yet...)

Part of my stash of shapes: Drops, O beads, bugles, daggers, lentils...

The authors projects are informative and diverse. They range from earrings to collar style necklaces. There are even elaborate 3D structures created from interfacing then beaded on... totally breaking the surface plane and creating a unique form to embellish. The instructions are not only clear, including diagrams - but there is a CD of patterns included in the book. 

The image below is a detail of a cuff bracelet - the Sakura bracelet. I love the texture here, the alternating bead shapes... While this isn't my preferred color palette, I can envision using these design ideas. Olive, turquoise and teal, analogous and harmonious... with undulating currents created by alternating bead shapes? Yes. Mermaid cabochon? Yes!

I was also drawn to the artist/author's use of asymmetry. Its one of my biggest (self-imposed) challenges when doing a bead embroidered piece. After a bezel, it seems so logical to continue in concentric patterns around the focal. I am always trying to vary that in my work and create balanced asymmetry. Linda's book has given me ideas in that respect as well. 

The final portion of the book includes pertinent information on sketching, composition, creating harmony/unity in a piece. The arts educator in me was thrilled with this! Technique and design must go hand in hand! 

So - lets put my new knowledge to the test, shall we? 

As you may remember, January was "Use your stash" month here at AJE. I had a Funny Face cab from Diana that I wanted to create hair for. Keeping it silly, irreverent... After reading the Bead Directory mentioned above, I know how to do a "support row" and sew my drop beads in so they would stand... I also gave bugles a try. Here it is... 

Peyote bezel, embellished with O beads, drops, bugles...

While I was working this popped into my head - Empress Theodora from a Byzantine mosaic, located in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna Italy.  (Theodora (Greek: Θεοδώρα; c. 500 – 28 June 548), was Empress of the Byzantine empire and the wife of Emperor Justinian I. She was one of the more influential and powerful empresses of the Byzantine empire. )

It was something about the bugles/crown/halo. LOL. Once an Art History geek, always an Art History geek. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts - on my Funny face, and/or on the book if you have read it! 

* Disclosure - Yes, we received a copy of the book to review. No - we were not paid in money, beads, wampum, etc. for said review. Opinions expressed are mine, but I do think you'd like the book. *

It happened. I am in a relationship.

So many times I see the new beads out there and look at them like "How hot are those".  Next comes looking at them on the Internet and flirting with the colors they come in.

Then comes the purchase and awaiting arrival like a first date.  All the anticipation and excitement.  Sometimes they are not all they seem to be up close.  This happened to me with gumdrop beads.  I love them and we had a couple of runs.

But things you thought you had in common just weren't there and you are left wondering what to do with them.  I just couldn't find the right way to play with them on my own.  It is a sad quick relationship.

Then sometimes you meet again unexpectedly with a new perspective and everything seems to fit. So it is time for that second date.  I was playing with some new tri beads I bought from Lisa Kan at Beadfest.

And had a thought.  What if I used them around my gumdrops.  How would that work?

I just started beading.  First came the round and how to keep it tight.  I stared at it for a while admiring the colors and texture and began thinking of how to take it further.  Well you all should know by now I love twins and superduo beads so naturally I reached for those.  Oh this time it was so awesome.  You both enjoy the time with excitement, fun and a few questions.  Oh where could this lead this time.  I likes very much the addition of superduos in the mix and how they played off the gumdrop.  Still not sure about the linking so we tried another date.

Yep the fun was still there but a few bumps in the road on this date. I have a love of true navy beads but they are so hard to come by. I had some beautiful Czech ones so I thought I would give it a go. Czech seeds can be smaller than Japanese seeds and this left a few gaps in the bezelling part. I will keep this one for me because of that. Hey what is a good relationship without a few potholes? So now what?

Well it happened. I have approached design with caution in the past. As well as my color choices. And always asked myself these questions:

• How would another person perceive this?
• Can I repeat it to create a tutorial? 
• Do I want to repeat it?

Answers:

• I don't care (which is such a step forward for me)
• Maybe.
• Hell yes because I am having so much fun!

I have honestly always wanted to try a green and gold color palette and I have to say I really like this combination. I have a few more colors of gumdrops and now all I need is more tri beads and for the first time I am enjoying repeating a design.

Will this relationship go even further? Will babies (tutorials) come from this design? What will happen if another bead shows its pretty face, will it be all over. Oh the dilemmas of relationships. I think I will enjoy where this relationship is for the moment.

Book Review - Creative Designs Using Shaped Beads

Today I am so happy to bring you a review of Anna Elizabeth Draeger's book....

Jennifer is a regular reviewer for Kalmbach Publishing and she asked me if I would review this one because well she does not play with seed beads.  I was more than happy to do it because I am a huge fan of all the new shaped beads that are coming out.

Anna covers so many of the shaped beads in this book from cubes to gumdrops.

I really loved putting this bead together!

I was trilled to be able to play with the rizo beads I had in my stash to create the tiny little beads in this bracelet featuring one of Rebekah's oh so sweet sleepy critters.

Did you see I also played with waxed linen?  What a fun fiber to play with.

All of Anna's instructions are easy peasy to follow and the illustrations make it that much better.  With all the projects in this book she has really sparked my creativity in incorporating her designs as well as taking some of her ideas to the next level.  I do wish I could personally thank her.

Oh yes and I need to share with you one of my favorite designs.

In her book she also shows alternative designs using similar shapes.  The one in the book featured tila beads (which I started with but that will have to wait for a later post) or you could use Czechmate tile beads instead.

If you are starting out playing with shaped beads I do highly recommend this book as one you should have as a jumping off point.