Synopses & Reviews
The newest installment in the top-selling Beadweaving Master Class series features popular jewelry and beading superstar Rachel Nelson-Smith.and#160;Rachel approaches beading like a jazz musician approaches a song: she improvises freely and creatively, playing unexpected variations on basic themes. Here,and#160;Rachel reveals herand#160;techniques for combining right-angle weave, tubular peyote stitch, and exquisite embellishments.and#160;Rachel's beautiful jazz-inspired pieces forand#160;beaders range from the Rondo necklace with repeated patterns to the Five Piece Band stackable ring. There are 23 inventive and fun jewelry projects in the book.and#160;and#8220;Riff Itand#8221; sidebars offer suggestions for personalizing each design.and#160;Rachel Nelson-Smith is a featured artist in the book Masters: Beadweaving. Other books inand#160;Lark Jewelry and Beading'sand#160;Beadweaving Master Class series have been authored byand#160;Diane Fitzgerald, Marcia DeCoster, Laura McCabe, Sherry Serafini, and Maggie Meister.
Review
and#8220;With 23 innovative designs, Bead Riffs: Jewelry Projects in Peyote and Right Angle Weave pays homage to author Rachel Nelson-Smith's dual love of jazz music and beading. Follow Rachel's precise instructions or make like a jazz artist and use her 'Riff It' sidebars as inspiration for your own improvisation.and#8221; and#8212; Beadwork magazine, February/March 2012 issueand#160;and#8220;This is an incredible book! These constructions are solid and sensational, a true reflection of their creator. We can all learn a great deal from this young genius. Look through the book, indulge your wonder, and then have a blast with the projects.and#8221; and#8212; Alice Korachand#160;and#8220;Rachel Nelson-Smith has one of the most unique creative voices in beading. Rachel possesses exciting skills in design, a sophisticated color palette, and an eye for detailed illustrationand#8212;all of which make this book a visual treat as well as an invaluable learning resource!and#8221; and#8212; Marcia DeCosterand#160;and#8220;This well-written, beautifully photographed, and easy-to-understand primer not only serves as a text for inventive projects but gives insight into Racheland#8217;s process and her creative gift.and#160;A worthy read for all beaders.and#8221; and#8212; Joyce Scott and#160;and#8220;What a refreshing take on beadwork! You will love Rachel Nelson-Smithand#8217;s unique point of view. Itand#8217;s pleasing to the eye and will make you long to hear her sing while you bead the projects in this innovative book.and#8221; and#8212; Jeannette Cookand#160;and#8220;Amazing jewelry ... a lot to offer the bead weaver.and#8221; (5-star review) and#8212; About.com Jewelry Making
Synopsis
Upscale, elegant, CHIC: these 25 handcrafted projects look like the fine jewelry you'd find in high-end boutiques. But why splurge when all it takes to make them are some seed beads and intermediate-to-advanced skills? Featuring a variety of stitchesand#8212;including the author's newly created right-angle ladder stitchand#8212;these stunning pieces cover everything from earrings to brooches. Gorgeous photographs, diagrams, and helpful tips make the beading process simple and pleasurable!
About the Author
Rachel Nelson-Smith is one of the world's most popular beaders and teachers. She is the author of Seed Bead Fusionand#160;and examples of her vibrant work have appeared in numerous publications, including Masters: Beadweaving. Her designs have been showcased at national bead shows, including the BeadandButton Show and Puget Sound Bead Festival, and she teaches workshops across the country. Rachel lives in Santa Cruz, California.