Customer Reviews:
Great Foundation Excellent Presentation.......2007-07-15
Good bones, that's what this book gave me. It was my first or second and what a good model to imprint on.
Clear, comprehensive, it established good practice that has served me well.
I am apart from it and returned to its words and images in my mind.
If you already know the basics and have an esthetic vision, this may be old news. If you are a beginner, then this should be part of your canon.
The tone, comfortable, practical and the projects are well paced.
It's now old and the field is crowded with both imitators and those reaching beyond this. It remains solid and nourishing. Thank you Helen Clegg for your good thoughts and inspiration.
Wire Jewelry Projects.......2007-03-17
An excellent book for the beginner or intermediate wire jewelry maker. Beautful pictures of the finished piece and step by step instructions including "templates" to compare your wire pieces as you progress.
Wired, wire and more wire.......2007-03-01
This is going to be one that is passed around, copied and talked about for years to come. Yes it is a beginners book, but don't let that stop you from getting this one to add to the shelf near the bench for ready reference. It has nice larger black line drawings showing clear step by step drawing of each move. It doesn't require purchase of a lot of tools, that most will have in the house. The material can be simple electrical wire that you have stripped the covering off to start with. Or leave the plastic covering on for colored work.
The pictures of the finished items are bright and clear. The projects are more for daily wear and some for fancy dress up. You will find the needed info to make any jigs for the component making. I am partial to what they now call Egyptian coils or Celtic twist/coils of copper bare wire.
If you have moved on from simple wire work with only connections made of the wire work. You will find this book a shot in the creative arm. I own this one and enjoy it.
A Must Have for your wirewrapping/jewerly making.......2005-06-06
This is really a must have book for your library of wirewrapping,jewerly making and polymer clay.I really find myself referring to it a lot when I need insperation in beginning new projects..Im not one to follow step by step.but this can be followed very easily,but its good for just adding here and there to what your making.Thats why I like the patterns.Mrs.C
Making Wire Jewelry.......2003-08-15
Younger wire makers will appreciate this book. The patterns are simple and use only wire in repeated designs joined together. The ring section is very simple and is only for someone just starting out in wire. Do not purchase this item if you have any expierence in wire jewelry--only if just starting out.
Book Description
Make your Appliqué a Work of Art
Now you can develop amazing expertise in hand appliqué with guidance from a master. Achieve flawless results with these simplified techniques for preparing, marking, assembling, and stitching appliqué fabrics. Detailed, step-by-step instructions for 16 gorgeous, original blocks guarantee the ultimate in beauty and accuracy.
· Appliqué beautiful 9" blocks filled with glorious flowers, birds, leaves, wreaths, and vines
· Discover new methods for appliquéing tricky points and curves, narrow stems and vines, and even the tiniest of pieces with precision
· Learn expert tips for using color and composition to create extraordinary effects in your quilts
From basic appliqué techniques to innovative touches and surprise elements, Artful Appliqué will inspire you to stretch your creativity and achieve truly artful results.
Customer Reviews:
excellent.......2007-08-28
Another excellent book by Jane Townswick. I am looking forward to expressing my artistic side in beautiful artwork. This book is very helpful with tools needed and forms of application. I am very impressed.
Townswick.......2007-07-17
This is a must buy book for those interested in applique. I have many applique books and count this among the very best.
Excellent and realistic.......2001-04-30
Over 130 pages of great instruction and realistic photos that show that anyone who takes the time can do applique. Not only are the designs that you can Xerox for patterns crisp, but the instruction is easy to read and follow. And the photos are exact size, so you see what you will get when you are done.
I liked the book because it also says that we can choose our own material, which suits our own desires, where some books say you have to have this or that type of material made by this ir that maker, and you end up running all over the place and come home discouraged and throw your hands up and say *&%#@+ and vow never to try and do applique again.
This is the book that can help you become less discouraged and a success at a wonderful art form.
Superb introduction to easy applique techniques & projects........2000-08-06
Make your applique a work of art through Artful Applique The Easy Way which features detailed project instructions for sixteen blocks filled with flowers, birds, and wreathes. The focus on easy applique includes tips for streamlining and patterns for quick use. Superb introduction to easy applique techniques & projects.
Book Description
If you own a second home, you have the potential to boost your annual income by literally thousands of dollars by turning it into a vacation rental that earns money when you aren't using it. In this book-and-CD package, you'll learn exactly how to do it. Even if you're already using your second home as a vacation rental, the book can help you maximize the income it generates each year. It doesn't matter where you want to be along the spectrum of possibilities:
1. If you've never offered your property as a vacation rental before, you'll find all the tools, tips, and information you need to save thousands in commissions by handling everything yourself. It really isn't that hard to do.
2. If you prefer to have a rental agent or property manager take care of everything for you but aren't quite satisfied with the number of bookings you're getting, you'll discover ways to inexpensively promote your property to prospective renters from all over the world--and how to negotiate lower management commissions on the business that you bring in.
3. Or maybe you'd rather steer a middle course by handling the marketing and bookings yourself and buying cleaning and maintenance services from a property manager or from some local firm. That, too, is a viable option.
Whatever course you choose, you'll find everything you need in this book/CD package. Designed as a complete
Vacation Property Owner's Toolkit, the package consists of a 300-page book in a three-ring binder, and a CD containing crucial rental forms and checklists that you can customize and print out for your own use. The CD also contains a collection of Windows programs selected to help you manage and market your vacation property easily and effectively.
And, by the way, after you've applied what you've learned, you can probably reduce or completely eliminate any current print-advertising expenses. The approach described in this package really is that powerful.
Customer Reviews:
The keys to Your Success!.......2007-09-22
A vacation rental owner myself, I found the information in this book absolutely fabulous! You'll read and re-read this "Bible" for vacation rental owners. Regardless of where your property is located this book covers all the essentials to help you to be succssful in the Vacation Rental business. Easy to read and well written it is money well spent!
Engaging and Full of Practical Wisdom!.......2006-09-05
We're pleased to share this review written by travel writer and vacation-rental guru Joyce Hadley Copeland, author of the "Renting Paradise" series of e-guidebooks on exceptional vacation rental properties. The review originally appeared in Ms. Copeland's Ramblings blog at her RentingParadise.com website and is posted here with her permission. -- Alfred & Emily Glossbrenner, Authors
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME... THEN AGAIN, MAYBE YOU SHOULD
If you've had great experiences renting vacation homes--and especially if you've been swept into the welcoming (usually figurative) embrace of a particularly passionate owner--a funny thing might start happening. You might start imagining yourself doing the vacation rental thing yourself. And why not ask Alfred and Emily Glossbrenner?
If you own or are thinking of buying a vacation rental property, the Glossbrenners will show you how to pay your mortgage and make money by renting it yourself. Their 300-page book/CD seminar-in-a-box is based on what the couple learned from a decade renting a Williamsburg-style cottage on their property in Bucks County, PA. Today their second home is routinely fully booked as much as six months in advance.
The book is engaging (the Glossbrenners are successful authors with over 60 books to their credit) and full of practical wisdom, step-by-step instructions and clear examples that will guide you in maximizing the Internet to promote and rent your dream vacation or retirement home (finding the right listing sites, boosting your search engine ranking etc.).
HERE'S WHAT I ESPECIALLY LOVE: Guidelines for writing a property description! "Write from the Heart!" These smart-cookie marketers advocate infusing rental descriptions with "personality." (Because, aren't we all tired of the hype?) They talk about "painting a picture" for rental prospects... going into detail about what you (the owner) personally love about the property such as distinctive architectural details or an interesting history... weaving in off-the-beaten-path secret places you've discovered. That's music to a prospective vacation renter's ears. AND they devote a whole section to "Enhancing Your Listing With Great Photos." Hallelujah!
The Glossbrenners also include a CD containing a collection of personally-selected Windows programs to help you manage and market your vacation rental property--in what is becoming a highly competitive market niche--in your spare time.
Check out the 30-day Money-Back Guarantee. But also check out the Glossbrenners' promise: "Regardless of your rental rate, and regardless of season, if you get just one extra booking as a result of what we have to teach you, this vacation rental owner's training package will have paid for itself many times over. And it will continue to do so year after year from now on."
Pssst: Check with your accountant. You may be able to write the whole thing off as a business expense.
Joyce Hadley Copeland
Ramblings Blog
RentingParadise.com
The Bible for Vacation Rentals By Owner.......2006-02-25
I have read countless books, magazines, travel guides, marketing manuals to better help me effectively market my vacation rental home. I only wish I read this book first! Emily and Alfred Glossbrenner's book is THE BIBLE of ALL Vacation Rental "How To" books. Skip the "Cliff Notes" and go straight to the source! Since incorporating their tried and true marketing approach, my summer vacation rental property is booked for the summer of 2006 and it is only February!
The best tool for a new vacation rental owner!.......2005-08-02
I have read every book in this category (at least every book that is available on Amazon) and have to say that Glossbrenners' book is the best guide for a vacation rental owner, especially someone just starting out. Alfred and Emily guide you through all of the minute detals of setting up the rental, from the right type of furnishings to the beach towels, pet policies, etc. They carefully explain the possibilities available to a vacation rental owner with Internet advertisement, how to choose the sites to advertise on and go into great detail with setting up listings on the 4 largest US vacation rental listing sites. The CD that comes with the book contains forms that are a great help for creating your first rental agreement or a "getting ready" check list, among others.
We have bought our first rental a little over a year ago and were fully booked for the season within 6 weeks from going online, based on suggestions we implemented from Glossbrenners book. We purchased two more properties this year and once again, having used the basic techniques and tools from Alfred and Emily's book, all 3 properties were fully booked in 2005. This occupancy rate is significantly higher than average for our area. I credit this book with our initial and continuing success.
Thank you, Alfred and Emily!
This book is excellent for renting out your vacation home!.......2005-04-22
We have decided to rent out our San Diego home this summer. Thanks to this book, we are already ahead of schedule; we have 4 out of the 8 weeks booked. My friends in San Diego are impressed and are now working at renting out their houses as well.
The book is well-organized and steps you through step-by-step on how to rent out your vacation property yourself. It is well written and explains everything in the right level of detail.
The biggest problem that I have now is that my friends keep borrowing the book, I need to tell them to buy their own.
Regards,
David Brehm
Book Description
Get ready to go beyond Crazy quilts with the four Ss--stack, slice, shuffle, and sew--in this sequel to the bestseller Stack the Deck! Sidestep the traditional rules of quiltmaking with these fast, fun ideas.
• Use Stack-the-Deck steps to simplify curves, diamonds, and other classic patchwork shapes
• Eighteen new quilts feature a wide range of styles, so there's something for every quilter to enjoy
• All projects start with simple squares, making every pattern beginner friendly
Customer Reviews:
Great Quilts.......2007-05-17
This book is great. Karla Alexander has many great patterns in many different books.
Interesting........2007-01-14
The only reason this did not get a 5 is that I am not sure about how to do this, more over I am a traditional quilt lover and I am not very artsy. I know folks that love the stack and wack. Nice book and great colors.
Alaska quilter.......2006-11-12
The instructions are clearly written in this book. What it lacks is any information how to quickly and easily enlarge the quilts. The majority of the quilts are approximately lap or twin size. It would be very helpful to add info for those of us who are mathematically challenged on how to enlarge the quilts either by larger blocks or how to go about creating more blocks with more fabric.
Great Variety for Fast, Contemporary Quilts.......2005-04-26
I like this book SO MUCH more than the original Stack the Deck. The variety in this book is great, and the concept is easy to follow. Plus, the quilts look GREAT. My hand-dyed fabrics really shine in these quilts, and I can showcase special pieces with ease. The Red Onion quilt is my favorite, although I was really attracted to the floral squares one, as well. My only issue with the book is that the borders shown are fairly plain-jane - some different examples would be nice. But hey - if that's the only thing wrong, I can find borders (or create some) for myself!
nice book.......2005-03-27
I just received my copies of this book and the first, Stack the Deck. I like the looks of the ones in this book better. I'm wanting to make at least 3 of the quilts in this book. The only 'problem' I see with the books (so far) is that she shows a small photo of different cutting diagrams with the cutting and piecing orders, but you have to either 'free style' it or draw your own or enlarge these to size (which may take several copies since some are oly about an inch square and the fabric square starts out at 9 3/4 inches!) anyways, I haven't tackled this yet and I'm not sure if I'll just draw my own or what. there are also a few with curves in this book and circles..as well as several 'square inside a square' looking ones as well as a few others. Other than not having the full-size 'templates' I'm very happy with this book (but Iguess the idea is to get away from using templates and be creative!) I originally thought I'd give this a 4 star rating but for the type of book it is I think it fits the bill. It reminds me also of some patterns I have by two kwik kwilters, except with theirs they give you the fullsize pattern and you trace it on freezer paper for each set of blocks..but there are more ideas in this book than these patterns currently offer.
Product Description
This course provides the information you need to start and operate your own mobile food business. Learn how to sell food to hungry people at strategic locations and make a good profit at the same time. You can sell food at busy downtown street corners, festivals and fairs, school events, church gatherings, ball games and craft shows. Successful businesses have been built around Pizza, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Barbecue, Coffee, Soft Drinks, Ice Cream, Pop Corn and many others.
The 2 DVD's (2.5 hours running time) present an overview of many aspects of a mobile food vending business. The author gives a complete tour of a fully equipped Barbeque Concession Trailer and shows how to cook, prepare and sell the various menu items that are essential to success. Further topics are: finding a Restaurant Commissary, selecting a great location and making extra money on weekends or in your spare time. You will also learn many inside secrets that are based on the experience of a thriving and successful food vending business.
The included book (87 pages) is packed with additional business and marketing information. Helpful advice is given on selecting the best foods to sell, working with your local Health Department, purchasing food in bulk and increasing profits with catering jobs. Learn what cooking equipment you need and find out how you can get started with a very modest investment. Other tips and tricks of the trade include ways to design and build your own Concession Trailer. Also included are the favorite BBQ recipes that will help you win loyal customers who will come back for more day after day.
This authoritative guide is the most comprehensive volume about the mobile food business on the market. It shows you in an entertaining and practical way how you can supplement your current income or even create your own full time job. Find out how you can take advantage of this opportunity and cash in on the basic human need of food!
Customer Reviews:
Recommended!.......2007-05-08
To address some of the questions that the reader might have:
* This course is very easy to digest but will take about 4-5 hours of your time.
* It covers a great deal of many different subjects related to concession sales.
* Previous experience in this field is not necessary.
* The Dvd's give several good menu suggestions next to full instructions on preparing a variety of barbecue meals.
* Mr. Robertson shows a lot of experience and enthusiasm in his field.
* There is an Index of links as well as recipes towards the end of the book.
The author did an excellent job at describing ways how to get started in your own concession vending business. I have been operating a ball game concessions stand for over 8 years, next to my day job as a teacher and I have become quite experienced in this field. I know that there is a lot of money to be made with food sales. At sports events, the food and drinks are an essential part of the whole fun, no matter how pricey they are. The only drawbacks are the ever increasing concession fees to set up at the games. This is yet another reason, why owning a business as an independent operator makes a lot of sense.
After reviewing this course, I was able to learn a great deal more about concession sales. If you are thinking about starting out in this field, I can highly recommend it!
fun and informative!.......2007-02-16
I originally bought this for my husband and ended up watching the DVD's with him. They are really packed with a lot of information and with valuable tips from a real professional.
Now BBQ became our first choice of foods to sell. The recipes in the film are truly wonderful and turned out well the first time we tried them. We also will focus on Tex-Mex foods that are very popular in our area.
The book gave us lots of good ideas that we will use in our own business. The author is right: cooking for fun is one thing- cooking for money is another! It was good to watch someone else do it first. Probably saved me from making lots of mistakes!
Overall, I am extremely happy with this purchase and I am glad I found it!
An excellent purchase.......2006-12-13
This was by far the best purchase I made on amazon this year. I enjoyed watching the DVD's that covered far more than I expected.
I have always wanted to have my own restaurant, but never have been able to get it together. The trailer food business is more my thing, as I can leave it parked in my backyard when I don't want to sell. I had trouble finding information on the subject of mobile food vending and I wish I would have seen this course earlier. It has taught me a lot about this business. The film showed interesting background info and a lot of food being prepared for resale. The ribs looked delicious and I now always cook my ribs this way. Watching the procedure is like being there and much better than just reading about it...
The book is easy to follow and covers pretty much everything I needed to know. I am not much of a chef, but people were all impressed by the food I prepared the way it is described in the book. I fed over 300 people in one day by myself at our block party and made good money doing it. This guide was very helpful to me in my rural area. It also made me feel like I can actually put a business like this together in my spare time.
Book Description
Create unique, high-fashion accessories using beads.
From the streets to the runways, beaded jewelry and accessories continue to be seen everywhere.
Now, with beautiful color photos, detailed drawings and step-by-step instructions, renowned jewelry designer Takako Samejima makes it easy for even the beginner to create eye-catching, original bead accessories. The book is divided into three sections. The first part focuses on different accessories
designed around one motif, for example a clover, a diamondshaped flower, a crown. The second section offers patterns that allow readers to use their own beads to create completely original pieces. The third part, entitled "Bead Items," is organized by type of accessory- rings, earrings, bracelets,
necklaces and brooches. Bead Fantasies II offers features that will be indispensable to the novice beader: an introduction to various kinds of beads, beading techniques with step-by-step color pictures, and descriptions of tools which the reader will need to get started.
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Customer Reviews:
Not what I expected...........2007-10-04
After purchasing the first book in this series, I expected to find many more crystal creations in the second book since there were so very many in the first. I was disappointed but only because I am primarily a crystal jewelry maker. The patterns were lovely. Just not what I was looking for.
Great Review.......2007-09-10
Purchased to book to give me more ideas on making beautiful jewelry. Wonderful instructions and projects!
More Beautiful , Easy to make Jewelry.......2007-06-02
A lot of information and pictures but not for a beginner.
More Beautiful and Easy Beading patterns.......2006-09-29
This 2nd book contains more excellent beading instruction and continues to give the beader wonderful color palettes to all the beading designs. Another beadbook Classic.
hard to follow.......2006-08-22
I'm an experienced beader and these instructions are difficult to follow, the pictures with the faded parts help some, to follow the thread paths, but I certainly wouldn't reccommend this book to someone that has problems following directions without someone to show them how it's done or the inexperienced.
Product Description
Packed with color photos showing each step of working with metal clay.
Customer Reviews:
disappointed.......2007-01-18
The book has many pretty pictures, and if all you want to do is make metal jewelry without added stones, it is probably adequate. But the thing I wanted to know most was how to set gemstones in finished metal clay jewelry, and the one paragraph devoted to that topic was singularly uninformative.
For me, buying this book means having to buy another on the same topic - and hope for the best!
pleasant to read.......2007-01-17
This book did not only offer a 'plesant read' but I also found the illustrations stimulating and the text easy to follow. I enjoyed the paragraphs about playing with metal clay,glass and ceramics,the Hollow Bead Bracelet and the Origami chapter. But in the final pages I somehow lost interest as the 'Inspiration' pages were not very inspiring for me.
All in all, I am pleased I bought the book. It certainly inspired me to find my own inspiration!
LOVE IT!.......2007-01-05
Love this book. It goes into more detail about paper clay and shows more projects. I use this book as my main reference.
Newbies.......2006-11-08
This book has easy to follow directions and lots of ideas for a new-to-jewelry maker like myself. I am self-taught and books like this one are great! Thanks!
Inspiring!.......2006-03-11
If you love unique silver and gold jewelry but don't want to become a metalsmith, read Metal Clay Magic. With the development of metal clay, only your imagination limits what you can create in quality silver and gold.
Metal clay consists primarily of pure silver (or gold) in tiny particles smaller than 20 microns (less than half the diameter of a human hair). These particles are mixed in an organic binder and water formula. During firing, the binder burns away and the precious metal particles sinter leaving just the precious metal, which can be hallmarked as .999 silver or 24K gold.
The price for the clay may vary with gold and silver prices or suppliers however, the day I checked online, I found: Art Clay--gold was $149.56 per 5g pkg; Art Clay--silver, the standard was $26.88 per 20g pkg. (this amount will yield 10 or so, small, simple earrings)
You have minimal waste, because you recycle your mistakes, reducing the cost risk compared to the rewards.
If you enjoy working with polymer clay, this is probably your next step in the creative evolution. Make one-of-a-kind heirloom jewelry and more, with tools you probably already have in your home. (You will need either a small inexpensive butane kiln for small projects like earrings to a more expensive programmable electric kiln to fire certain projects needing longer firing times.)
The instructions are easy to follow and the large color pictures inspire. If you follow the step-by-step lessons, you should have a finished piece within the day. (I would agree as long as you have sculpted clay before.)
Good news: The metal clay is non-toxic (it conforms to ASTM D4236) and it doesn't go bad. Polymer clay has to be conditioned; metal clay does not.
With 25 easy projects, including beads, earrings, pendants, and unique origami items, it should be easy to find one for your skill level. There is also a handy guide for resources and suppliers, a
Armchair Interview says: Metal Clay Magic will inspire you to create your own signature pieces of gold and silver jewelry.
Book Description
• Color theory and composition—explained in clear, understandable quilters' language
Simple exercises—from no-sew step-by-step using the fabrics quilters love, to a color wheel built from scraps, to the easy "Nine Patches" approach to color and composition—show exactly how to understand design principles and incorporate them into the craft of quilting. A gallery of beautiful quilts follows each exercise and shows how beginners and professionals use color and composition techniques to create magic. Great for traditional and art quilters, this book makes quilters' talent shine.
Customer Reviews:
Wow!.......2007-02-15
Learn some new ways iof looking at color ar expand what you think you know. Lovely ideas and great things to put into use.
Good color and composition course for quilters.......2006-04-02
I took a basic color and design class at a community college about a decade ago. We worked through similiar exercises to those in this book, but with paper, not with fabric as in this book. If you have wanted to take a basic color and design class at a college but don't have the time or resources, this is an excellent book. The only thing I like better about the college class is that you have a real person demanding your homework!
Improve your skills.......2005-10-11
If you hated homework you won't like this book, but if you are willing to follow the instructions and trust the authors to lead you to new skills, you will come away from the lessons in this book with a better understanding of drawing and coloring ways to add to your personal style of making art quilts. I will do this and look forward to the experience!
Book Description
Stretching the imagination with creative color play lies at the heart of this fun-filled, results-oriented guide to producing more striking quilts. A gallery of over seventy lusciously colored quilts illustrates the author's techniques for choosing colors. Sample fabric arrangements make color concepts easy to understand; color scales show the variations of pure hues, tints, shades, and tones and how they affect the mood of a quilt.
Customer Reviews:
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COLORS.......2007-03-08
This product gives us the experience in the use of fabrics and colors in quilts.
I'm a scrapper, not a quilter.......2006-01-24
Regardless, I found the book fascinating. It uses the Ives color wheel, rather than the traditional red/blue/yellow wheel. It is clear and concise in its color theory, spending most of the pages in giving examples of color combinations. It also includes a gallery of gorgeous quilts to increase understanding of what the correct color choice can do for a piece of art.
I used this book as the basis for a scrapbooking class, and held thirty women in thrall. A number of them asked me to repeat the SAME talk, while the rest were ready for more information. This convinces me that the book, though great for quilters I imagine, is wonderful for anybody interested in color and, well, colorplay.
beautiful book .......2005-07-20
This is a lovely book~ Joen Wolfrom begins with her magical color book and progresses to Visual Dance ~ and now she has presented this book on color.. one builds on the next.. all lovely books to learn color from nature and use it in quilts.
All are lovely books! And now C T Publishing has taken the colors from this latest book Color Play and made a portable collection of color cards ( like a color wheel ) to carry along with you when you are picking out fabric.. so handy !
Buy any of these books by Joen Wolfrom it will make your color choices so much better, so much easier.
Whilst a tremendously colourful book..........2005-04-15
no novel ways of combining different-coloured fabrics (other than shown in the very few photographs) are presented . The 3-in-1 color cards pack by this author is preferable due to its portability.
Terrific Book!.......2005-02-03
I can't add anything more than was already posted!! It is true "eye-candy" for the Quilter's (Artist's) soul! :o)
5 star worthy
Book Description
71 fantastic jewelry projects requiring only the basics beading skills.|Jewelry artist Takako Samejima specializes in bead jewelry, and has been working with beads since she was a child. Her designs, which combine different types, shapes, and sizes of beads, have won acclaim for their beauty
and originality. BEAD FANTASIES features over seventy of her most original and dazzling designs including necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, brooches, hair ornaments, cell phone straps and eyeglass chains.
Each design includes detailed instructions for creating the jewelry, supplemented by small color photographs and detailed color drawings. For the novice, BEAD FANTASIES also includes descriptions of the beads used to make the jewelry, beading supplies, and some lessons covering basic bead-stringing,
weaving and finishing techniques.
Customer Reviews:
Great for beginners like me........2007-10-10
I've been tinkering with beads for a few months and have taken 2 beginner classes. This book really helped with ideas for projects on my own. I've loaned it to friends who have also loved it!
I don't mean to be the naysayer, but......................2007-07-27
this book has beautiful colors and interesting designs. However, as has been mentioned by only a few other reviewers, the directions are a bit sparse. I can follow them, but could use a little more detail. My biggest disappointment was in the photography. The pictures are done in what is, I guess, an "artistic" interpretation - a small portion of each piece of jewelry is clear and the rest is blurry. The technique reminds me of what a movie maker might do if he or she were trying to make an 80 year old person look 22 - a LOT of haze! Quite a few other reviewers mentioned how visual they are, as am I, and yet I didn't see much mentioned about the photography. I love to see pictures of the beautiful work of jewelry artists - the colors, the sparkle of the crystals, the play of the light on the beads - I can't see any of this in the pictures. Maybe I will like the book more after I make some of the projects. However, I will not be buying any more books in this series.:(:(
Five stars is not enough!.......2007-02-23
I have quite a few beading books, buy the current beading magazines ,,and attend the big beading shows.
Oftentimes,, I questioned if this was a good thing for creativity ~that is, to see so much other work that it may influence my work, which is something I dont really want.
I am interested in technique.
NOTHING prepared me to see how easy it was to " weave" beads together by simply following a thread pattern to create the most stunning forms, motifs and shapes!!!! Anything that is used ..lets say.. for a ring center,, can just as easily be used for a pendant or bracelet, its so workeable and the ideas just flow once you get started!!
I have not seen such creativity in a long LONG time!
In many of the books and magazines I currently own, all weaving forms have names~ and they make it look very difficult.
I find this method to be a very easy process, not unlike following the numbers( but ,instead , you are following the lines!)
Most of the work involves simple figure 8 circles, but have the lines drawn for you to follow.
I had no trouble sorting it out ,and am creating larger charts for some projects simply by enlarging them ~(but its not necessary.)
I hold up most any book I am working out of in a book holder designed for recipe books ,and I chose to have this book spiral bound, which cost me about 3$ at Kinko's.
No book I own is perfect.
I would rather have more offered with smaller charts that I can choose to enlarge~
Keep in mind this book packs a lot into it,, having more" motif" patterns here is my first choice~( and they are lovely to do up!)
I would recommend a BEGINNER look at a 101 beading book, so crimping and BASIC techniques are learned first.( I am speaking about a TRUE beginner here!) Additional reading is suggested on using your good cutters for things like memory wire rings ( in other words read up on it or you may destroy a pair that may have cost you some good money!)
The author does take into account that the reader knows basic 101 jewelry techniques ( and I DO mean basic,not much more is needed here)
All simple tape measures or rulers include metric measurements as well as inches listed on it, so if you want the exact measurement of a given project this should not be a problem at all.
I am a visual person ,,so this is not difficult for me to follow ~
Those that need WRITTEN directions may have more difficulty.
I would rather see something ,,,,that read something.
The designs are breathtaking,, and relatively easy to execute~
Once you get the idea, your creativity will realize no boundries!!!
Once I got the hang of it, I could formulate ideas of my own,, and figure out designs ,,,which is exactly what I wanted!
I really want to learn the techniques and go from there with my own bead/finding choices ~
Simply said,,I could get rid of of most of my other beading resources,,,, and STILL not be at a loss for ideas using this set of books!
I do a little wire work, and have some jigs for that,, but its not my first love, beading is.
Before I clean out my studio, I plan to order books 2 and 3 to add to this collection~ (I ordered book 4 with this one and its simply STUNNING!)
This is good stuff!.......2007-01-07
I originally saw Bead Fantasies IV in the local library. After checking it out, I had to buy it. Then I saw the previous 3 books by the same author and immediately put them on my wish list. Today I got the first and 4th one in the mail!
Worth the money! The first book has several examples of rings and more (but I was bowled over by the rings). The basic instructions in the back helped me to figure out a few problem spots that I have had while trying various patterns from other sources. This was impressive for me! In just a few minutes the pictures in the back of Bead Fantasies sorted the whole mess out!
If you like bead weaving and pieces that look like flowers and sparkle, this whole series of books by Takaki Samejima is worth buying!
Beautiful japanese projects.......2006-11-10
I have bought the Bead Fantasies series (also II and III) is, for me, the very best beading project book.
Beautiful, not difficult. The instructions are easy to read and follow.
I love this bead book.
Books:
- Memories of a Cuban Kitchen: More Than 200 Classic Recipes
- New Cook Book, Limited Edition "Pink Plaid" : For Breast Cancer Awareness (Better Homes & Gardens)
- New Cook Book, Limited Edition "Pink Plaid" : For Breast Cancer Awareness (Better Homes & Gardens)
- New Food of Life: Ancient Persian and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies
- Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Recipes for Two: For the Small Slow Cooker
- Oh the Things You Can Do That Are Good for You!: All About Staying Healthy (Cat in the Hat's Lrning Libry)
- Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats--A Year of Deliciously Different Dinners (A 30-Minute Meal Cookbook)
- Rachael Ray Express Lane Meals: What to Keep on Hand, What to Buy Fresh for the Easiest-Ever 30-Minute Meals
- Rao's Recipes from the Neighborhood: Frank Pelligrino Cooks Italian with Family and Friends
- Semi-Homemade Slow Cooker Recipes (Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Schaum's Guideline of Managerial Accounting
- Good Dog, Bad Dog, New and Revised: Dog Training Made Easy
- A Brief History Of The Smile
- Appalachian Odyssey: Historical Perspectives on the Great Migration
- Dressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars
- History: Fiction or Science
- Earth System History
- Between Work and Leisure: A Study of the Common Ground of Two Separate Worlds
- Beyond the Bottom Line: Putting Social Responsibility to Work for Your Business and the World
- Arkansas Business Directory 2000-2001: The Ultimate Sales & Credit Tool
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
All Wired Up: Wire Techniques for the Beadworker and Jewelry Maker (Beadwork How-To series)
Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry: Over 35 beautiful projects using wire and beads
Bead On A Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry
Moods in Wire : An Extended Guide to the Fine Art of Wirewrapping (2nd Ed)
Silver Wire Jewelry: Projects to Coil, Braid & Knit (Lark Jewelry Book)
