Book Review of Maggie Meister's Classical Elegance - Free Give Away

I really enjoyed reading this visually delightful hardcover 127 page book published by Lark Crafts.

Maggie Meister has written an excellent book for the beader of intermediate skills. However, to widen its usefulness, she offers opening chapters on tools and stitches that are good for review, or as a reference for the learner.

Meister draws from classical art for inspiration to create exquisite designs for her motifs and wonderful chains to enhance the motifs.

I loved the spiral designs on the necklace in the second photograph. It is built up of small components that are then attached to each other.






















This last photograph has a delightfully complex and visually interesting three dimensional pendant and separate chain each of which would be lovely created and worn separately.

The illustrations - both photographic and graphic - make the instructions easy to follow.

There are 20 unique designs and there are several options available to further enrich the offerings in the book. The designs are based on individual components that Meister then gives instructions for combining. By building on basic stitches, the projects build skills step by step. The author then gives suggestions for other ways the individual components can be combined to spur the reader into new interpretations.

If you love a good visual treat on beading, I recommend this book. If you are an intermediate beader looking to increase your skills and design options, this is a great book.

If you leave a comment by August 15 along with your name and email address, I will randomly draw a name and send the book to one reader.

Nancy

A newcomer's entry...

from Deborah Langsam

As a "newbie" to Fiber Art Options (not to mention blogging...), a post on a new venture seemed apropos...

It all started with a bag of rice purchased at a local East-Indian grocery store in Charlotte. The rice - which was wonderful - was gone and I was left with an illustrated fabric bag: colorful and a bit funky.

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I couldn't bear to toss it out. So with a nod to traditional flour/feed sack quilting, frugality (courtesy of Depression-era parents), and eco-friendliness, it is evolving into a beaded wall-hanging.


My initial thought was to mount it, complete with handle, on a background -- perhaps even stuffing it to give it the 3 dimensionality of a bag still being used for it's original intent. I haven't shut the door on that possibility. Since the bag is illustrated on front and back, a second lovely lady - this one including handle - still waits for me.

For now, however, I've taken a different route. I cut out the central motif and appliqued it onto a background of red, green, and black; I'm beading it for a more "Bollywood" effect. What you see below are pictures of the partially finished project...

Of course, the problem with beading is to figure out when to stop...and now I'm tempted to cover everything with beads (which also means beads appearing singly, in pairs, and in little groups on nearly every surface of the house...the bead explosion). What started out as "quick" project has, predictably, taken on a life of it's own.

As far as titles...there are two that are currently in the running:

"Recycling is the Mother of Invention"
"Bollywood Rice"

I'll keep you posted on progress...I'm glad to be on board.

Debbie