Senior News---February 2013 Column

For some time now I have been writing a monthly book review column for the Senior News newspaper. The Senior News is aimed to the 50 and over crowd with news relevant to seniors regarding various issues, humor pieces, and my review column among other things. The newspaper is a giveaway at doctor offices, stores, etc. and can be received by mail via a paid subscription. There are multiple editions across the state of Texas and therefore there is some fluctuation in content in each edition.

My column every month focuses on books of interest to the Texas audience. Therefore books selected for the column, fiction or non-fiction, are written by Texas residents, feature Texans in some way, or would have some other connection to the Texas based readership. At least two books are covered each month in the short space I am given.

Below is/was my February 2013 column with the addition here of the relevant book covers……

Rachel Nelson-Smith’s Bead Riffs: Jewelry Projects in Peyote & Right Angel Weave

Rachel Nelson-Smith

Lark Crafts (imprint of Sterling Publishing Co.)

ISBN# 978-1-60059-783-1

Hardback

128 Pages

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.

The book is roughly divided in two parts. The first part is all about the materials needed, techniques needed, etc. The second half of the book is all about the actual projects. Interspersed throughout the entire book are plenty of pictures so that you can easily see what points the artist is making.

This 128 page book that also bears the logo “Lark Jewelry & Beading--Beadweaving Master Class” is clearly not for beginners. These projects are based on the idea that users have some experience in beading. Visually appealing with numerous detailed projects, Rachel Nelson-Smith’s Bead Riffs is a book that will serve its intended audience very well.

SLOW FALLING: A Bill Travis Mystery

George Wier

Flagstone Books (CreateSpace)

E-Book

Estimated print length 160 pages

A man covered in dirt from head to toe looking like he just barely crawled out of a grave is never a good thing. It gets worse when the guy dies on the oak floor in a bar.  The bar owner, Sonny isn’t worried about why the guy died in his bar. What is bugging him is why the guy distinctly said “The Falling” right before he died.  Sonny isn’t going to let it go so Bill reluctantly agrees to ask around about it.

He really should steer clear of this. Even folks from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are quickly involved so he really should steer clear. Of course, Bill is not about to stop poking around in a case that will take him and others out to far West Texas and a fantastic discovery.

With a clear nod of appreciation to the legendary pulps he grew with, Texas author George Weir blends technology, archeology, and plenty of action into this fast paced mystery tale. A series that began with The Last Call and continues here in Slow Falling is once again very good.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013

Review: "Rachel Nelson-Smith’s Bead Riffs: Jewelry Projects in Peyote and Right Angel Weave" by Rachel Nelson-Smith

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

http://www.rachelnelsonsmith.com/

Lark Crafts (imprint of Sterling Publishing Co.)

http://www.larkcrafts.com

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

http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Libraries/Pages/default.aspx

Kevin R. Tipple ©2012