Blending a love of jazz and a love of beading seems
to be a perfect idea as the author, Rachel Nelson, points out in the
introduction. As in jazz, improvisation
in beading is something to be celebrated and embraced. The 128 page book is
built around 23 of the author’s beaded jewelry designs based on right angle
weave and variations of tubular peyote stitch. Hence the distinctive subtitle
of Jewelry
Projects in Peyote & Right Angel Weave.
After the brief introduction to Rachel Nelson-Smith’s Bead Riffs
it is on to “Chapter One: The Setup.” Starting
on page 10 through texts and pictures the chapter explains the materials needed
and their various types, the threads involved, tools required, and techniques
required. This leads into detailed instructions on how to do the “right angle weave”
of various types. Mixed in with pictures of various results are pictures of the
author and her bandmates making music to reinforce the basic idea of the book
that jazz and beadwork both require the same skills and inspirational artistry.
Once you have mastered the basic ideas in Chapter
One it is on to the actual projects. Those
begin with “Chapter Two: Necklaces and Pendants” on page 33. The projects such
as “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” (pages 34-37), “Rondo” (pages 44-47) and “Fly Me To
The Moon” (pages 69-72) and others all have a musical tie in. Each project has
a small introduction that explains the reference of the title, a list of
supplies, techniques required, and a description of the finished size of the
object. Each project has a picture of the finished item as well as several
close up pictures of various detail elements along with detailed instructions.
Under a “Riff It” section on some of the projections there are several
suggestions on using the same design to accessory objects and/or how to
individualize the piece. This same format continues throughout the book.
“Chapter Three: Rings and Earrings” comes next and
starts on page 73. This is where you can learn how to make the “Nightingale”
earrings (pages 80-81) or the “Five-Piece Band” rings (pages 82-85) among other
projects. Like everything in this book, as well as any book of this type, you
have to look at the pictures and instructions in the book to see if the project
will work for you as the names of the projects aren’t going to tell you much.
That short chapter gives way to “Chapter Four:
Bracelets.” Starting on page 89, projects such as the beautiful “Swing Time”
(pages 97-99) and the truly “Something Cool” (pages 108-111) among others are
covered.
The book closes with a photographic gallery of work
from various artists that is visually stunning. That naturally leads into a
short galley of the author’s own work. That is equally impressive before being
followed by an author’s bio, an acknowledgement section, an index, and a one
page advertisement of other books of interest to readers.
This 128 page book that also bears the logo “Lark
Jewelry & Beading--Beadweaving Master Class” is clearly not for beginners. While
there is introductory material to beading found in the book these projects are
based on the idea that users have some experience in beading that they can
build off of to create these projects. Visually appealing with numerous
detailed projects, Rachel Nelson-Smith’s Bead Riffs is a book that will serve its
intended audience very well.
Rachel
Nelson-Smith’s Bead Riffs: Jewelry Projects in Peyote & Right Angel Weave
Rachel
Nelson-Smith
Lark
Crafts (imprint of Sterling Publishing Co.)
September
2011
ISBN#
978-1-60059-783-1
Hardback
128
Pages
$27.95
Material supplied by the good folks
of the Plano Texas Public Library System. Again this year the summer reading
challenge for adults and kids is now underway. For more information go to
Kevin R. Tipple ©2012
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