Senior News Book Review Column---May 2014

Those who follow the blog on a regular basis know that I have a running column in the Senior News Newspaper covering books written by Texans, set in Texas, or of interest to the newspaper’s Texas demographic of over fifty readers. Below was/is my May column with the addition here of the relevant book covers….

Outrage at Blanco (Ellie Taine)

Bill Crider

Self Published

ASIN: B00DHM0B2U

E-Book

240 Pages

Originally published in 1998 by Dell Books, Outrage at Blanco is now available as an e-book from talented Texas author Bill Crider. A trip to town and back for Ellie Taine has gone very wrong as this western from author Bill Crider begins. Just outside of the small Texas town of Blanco she had made the mistake of stopping for the two men who seemed friendly. As it became clear they had something else on their minds, she thought they only meant to rob her.  Unfortunately for Ellie, robbery wasn’t what they wanted. Ben Atticks and Jink Howard wanted something much more personal to Ellie than the few items she had purchased in town at Roger's Mercantile.

When they were done with her they left her alive. That was another mistake in a long line of mistakes in their criminal careers. What happened to Ellie is just part of a complicated tale of vengeance and redemption for several characters results in a book that moves forward at a rapid pace despite the many players and almost as many agendas.

Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion: 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin, Sway, Swing, And Slide

Marcia Decoster

Lark Jewelry & Beading (Imprint of Sterling Publishing)

ISBN# 978-1-4547-0335-8

Workbook

128 Pages

As the subtitle of 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin, Sway, Swing, and Slide makes clear Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion is a beading book that is all about the motion. According to the introduction by the author, in addition to the motion present in each piece there are designed to make sure the pieces complement each other.

Covering everything from the tools and materials you will need to the stiches and knots you will use to the projects themselves this is a book that encourages creativity and exploration. The heavily illustrated pages take the crafter through various necessary skills as a refresher for experienced pros or as a how to do guide for new crafter while also providing colorful inspiration.

Projects for necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more are found in this nearly 130 page book from “Lark Jewelry & Beading Bead Inspirations.” The projects and styles in Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion: 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin, Sway, Swing And Slide are colorful and varied and are ones that over time a reader can learn to do. The projects here will provide hours of inspiration that can be used for one’s own wardrobe or to create personal gifts for others.

Kevin R Tipple ©2014

Review: "Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion: 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin, Sway, Swing, And Slide" by Marcia Decoster

As the subtitle of 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin, Sway, Swing, and Slide makes clear Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion is a beading book that is all about the motion. According to the introduction by the author, in addition to the motion present in each piece there are designed to make sure the pieces complement each other.

“Chapter 1: Tools & Supplies” provides an overview of what you need to make the projects.  Over four pages the author shares what tools and supplies work for her. She encourages the reader to explore and find what works best for him or her. That exploration of what the reader personally prefers is a major secondary theme throughout the colorful and informative book.

Starting on page 14 “Chapter 2: Fundamentals” is all about how to tie various stitches and knots for the beadwork.  The heavily illustrated pages of this chapter take the reader through various necessary skills as a refresher for experienced pros or as a how to do guide for new readers.

Starting on page 27 with “Chapter 3: Earrings & Rings it is on to the very colorful projects. Whether you prefer something long and dangly such as the “Swing Dance Earrings (pages 28-34) or something shorter and conservative such as the “Lavender Earrings” (pages 40-42) variety and color are always present.  In addition to a supply list, each project has numerous colorful pictures and is accompanied by large illustrations and detailed text that explains how to make it. This same format continues throughout the entire book.

If your personal style leans towards “Bracelets” they are the focus of Chapter Four starting on page 49.  Four very different projects make up this chapter.

That leads readers naturally to “Chapter 5: Necklaces.” The section opens with the relatively simple and yet beautiful “Glimmer Necklace” (pages 67-69) before giving way to the “Spin City Necklace (pages 76-81) and others. A visual treat that also uses pearls and small crystals is fond on pages 92-95 with the “Tassel Necklace.”  Nine additional projects complete this final project chapter of the book.

This nearly 130 page book from “Lark Jewelry & Beading Bead Inspirations” series provides another visually appealing and artistically inspiring read. The projects and styles in Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion: 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin. Sway, Swing And Slide are colorful and varied and are ones that over time a reader can learn to do. The projects here will provide hours of inspiration that can be used for one’s own wardrobe or to create personal gifts for others.

Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion: 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin. Sway, Swing, And Slide

Marcia Decoster

http://www.marciadecoster.com

Lark Jewelry & Beading (Imprint of Sterling Publishing)

http://www.larkcrafts.com

August 2013

ISBN# 978-1-4547-0335-8

Workbook

$27.95

128 Pages

Material obtained through my local library for my use in a future newspaper review for my Senior News column.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013