The Art Of Beadwork: Historic Inspiration, Contemporary Design 
asked by freedrink on November 7, 2006 10:06 AM
The popularity of beads and beadwork has skyrocketed since the late 1980s. While there are many books on the subject, few direct more than just a passing glance at the art of beadwork from other times and cultures. As a result, today's jewelry enthusiasts are hungry for inspirational images of beadwork from around the world, as well as innovative and highly creative projects for beaded jewelry designs. The Art of Beadwork offers readers a detailed look at the quality, diversity, and stunning artistry of beadwork from ancient Egypt to the new millennium. From tribal Africa to East and South Asia, 17th-century England to 20th-century France, Central Asia to the Middle East and even the Americas and the Carribean, here are 24 exquisite projects inspired by some of the world's great cultures. Rather than merely providing instructions for copying, this remarkable reference demonstrates how to translate one or more of an inspirational piece's characteristics-color, technique, and dimension-into dazzling examples of contemporary jewelry design. Readers will discover how to use these beadwork methods to create impressive beaded necklaces, earrings, pendants, pins, bracelets, hair ornaments, bags, and more through easy-to-follow diagrams and complete instructions. Along with a history of beadwork, lists of materials needed, and a comprehensive appendix of resources, this guide also features resplendent, full-color examples from such noted beadworkers as Flora Book, David Chatt, Sharon Donovan, Kathryn Harris, NanC Meinhardt, Don Pierce, and Laura Shea.
Reviews
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I have been doing beadwork, writing about beadwork, researching beads and beadwork, devoting my master's degree work to beadwork ... everything I have ever done these past 10 years seem to relate to beads ... even vacations with my wife center on going to specific bead stores, collections and museums.
This book is PHENOMENAL! There are things in this book that I could never have dreamed about. The photography, illustrations and explanations for the projects are first rate. Linking them to traditional pieces is brilliant.
This is the one book that will change the face of beadwork to come in the future.
This book is PHENOMENAL! There are things in this book that I could never have dreamed about. The photography, illustrations and explanations for the projects are first rate. Linking them to traditional pieces is brilliant.
This is the one book that will change the face of beadwork to come in the future.
reviewed by bigdv on November 9, 2006 12:09 AM
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Beadworkers have traditionally received less volume and detail in their guidebooks than quilters, but the genre is growing and has been enhanced by the addition of Valerie Hector's The Art Of Beadwork: Historic Inspiration, Contemporary Design. Valerie Hector is a famous jewelry designer who invited several artists to use a piece of beadwork from another time or culture as inspiration for creating a new piece: The Art Of Beadwork celebrates this effort, blending history and an overview of cross-cultural beading traditions with artist profiles and fun projects for creating necklaces, earrings, pins and more. With the world as its inspiration, The Art Of Beadwork features inspirational pieces from around the world, with diagrams and easy project notes assuring relative newcomers will be able to duplicate the polished results.
reviewed by axelrose on November 9, 2006 9:36 PM
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I waited months and months and *months* for this book after seeing the author's work in person and nearly fainting on the spot over her inexpressibly luxurious Xhosa double scallop stitch pieces (technique included in this book). Every few months I'd check on the status, and find out the publication date had been set back, and I thought I'd expire from desire before I got it.
AT LAST it was published, and I pounced -- and OH, *what* a marvelous book it is, and how well worth waiting for!! How wonderful to have the rare book for more advanced beadworkers -- packed with superb diagrams and inspirational photographs and unusual, atypical stitches.
Hector's approach is sort of anthropological; she builds the chapters around traditional/cultural styles of beadwork from around the globe and throughout history, presenting a rich and well-researched context of historical and multicultural example in which she roots the contemporary projects. Each chapter features the work of a different contemporary bead artist, who designed his or her project in response to the historical/cultural inspiration featured in that chapter.
The result is the most novel, juicy and satisfying wide-ranging offering of truly unique beadwork inspiration. That said, it should be noted that it would not serve well as a first "how-to" book for a beginning beader; some of the stitches are rather advanced and I believe would prove frustrating to most beginners. On the other hand, that is exactly what makes this one of my FAVORITE bead books of all! It's so gratifying to find a truly unique set of techniques that have not been presented in a dozen other books. In addition, the marvelous range of photographs, showing both historic and contemporary beadwork from around the world, still make this an unquestionably valuable inspiration book for more novice beaders.
I only wish I could give this gem 6 or 7 stars, and hope all those who are truly enamored of beadwork or textiles, traditional or contemporary, as collectors or artists or just fans, will rush to buy this super, unique book by this very learned and talented artist/author!
AT LAST it was published, and I pounced -- and OH, *what* a marvelous book it is, and how well worth waiting for!! How wonderful to have the rare book for more advanced beadworkers -- packed with superb diagrams and inspirational photographs and unusual, atypical stitches.
Hector's approach is sort of anthropological; she builds the chapters around traditional/cultural styles of beadwork from around the globe and throughout history, presenting a rich and well-researched context of historical and multicultural example in which she roots the contemporary projects. Each chapter features the work of a different contemporary bead artist, who designed his or her project in response to the historical/cultural inspiration featured in that chapter.
The result is the most novel, juicy and satisfying wide-ranging offering of truly unique beadwork inspiration. That said, it should be noted that it would not serve well as a first "how-to" book for a beginning beader; some of the stitches are rather advanced and I believe would prove frustrating to most beginners. On the other hand, that is exactly what makes this one of my FAVORITE bead books of all! It's so gratifying to find a truly unique set of techniques that have not been presented in a dozen other books. In addition, the marvelous range of photographs, showing both historic and contemporary beadwork from around the world, still make this an unquestionably valuable inspiration book for more novice beaders.
I only wish I could give this gem 6 or 7 stars, and hope all those who are truly enamored of beadwork or textiles, traditional or contemporary, as collectors or artists or just fans, will rush to buy this super, unique book by this very learned and talented artist/author!
reviewed by casurf on November 24, 2006 2:25 AM
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I received my book 2 days ago. I looked through it and though I'm by no means done going through it, I had to jump in and try the cubic right angle weave. It's so cool!
The great thing about this book is the unusual weaves. Definitely not the same ol' stuff you see all the time. I'm an experienced beader and am always on the lookout for books that are not geared to the beginning beader. This book is really wonderful. As another reviewer said. She presents the possibilites in photos, then gives the general instructions, suggests other design possibilities leaving the rest to your imagination. The instructions given were clear and concise and enough to continue on your own (provided you're not a beginning beader.)
If you're an intermediate to advanced beader looking for new things to try, you've GOT to have this book. Beginning beaders will enjoy seeing the wonderful possibilities that can be viewed in this book but will probably want to get a good handle on weaving techniques before jumping into the projects offered here.
I can't wait to get back to this book and trying some more of the techniques. My upcoming vacation will be filled with hours devoted to this book.
I wasn't familiar with the author before but will definitely be watching for her name from now on.
GREAT BOOK!
The great thing about this book is the unusual weaves. Definitely not the same ol' stuff you see all the time. I'm an experienced beader and am always on the lookout for books that are not geared to the beginning beader. This book is really wonderful. As another reviewer said. She presents the possibilites in photos, then gives the general instructions, suggests other design possibilities leaving the rest to your imagination. The instructions given were clear and concise and enough to continue on your own (provided you're not a beginning beader.)
If you're an intermediate to advanced beader looking for new things to try, you've GOT to have this book. Beginning beaders will enjoy seeing the wonderful possibilities that can be viewed in this book but will probably want to get a good handle on weaving techniques before jumping into the projects offered here.
I can't wait to get back to this book and trying some more of the techniques. My upcoming vacation will be filled with hours devoted to this book.
I wasn't familiar with the author before but will definitely be watching for her name from now on.
GREAT BOOK!
reviewed by alec on November 26, 2006 7:04 AM