Book Spotlight: Bead Chic

One of the most common questions that a new beader will ask a more experienced artist is, “How do you come up with your designs?”. Some might give the truthful yet frustrating answer, “Lots of practice”. The more you know about your materials, and the techniques that you prefer, the easier it is to come up with unique combinations.

Patience makes for perfect practice, but with a medium like beads, the need to get going and make things is strong. Luckily, we have Margot Potter the Impatient Crafter to guide us through some quick fixes.

The designs in Bead Chicare not only beautiful and inspirational, but they are presented to give jewelry artists a primer for creative adaptation. This book gives beaders the insights they need to start making their own designs, based on existing pieces. With Margot’s tips, we learn how to come up with our own variations and personalizations.

There are six chapters that focus on a different design element, such as color, texture, and scale. Each of the 36 projects features step by step directions and photographs, plus a variation using some of the same concepts. Many of the example projects were contributed by artists like Jean Campbell, Barbe Saint John, and Andrew Thornton.

Like any great beading book, there’s a detailed introduction to beads, findings, tools and techniques so the absolute beginner can be comfortable with the projects. Then it’s on to making beautiful jewelry! There are plenty of earring, bracelet, and necklace designs to try, using a wide variety of materials – from plastic, to crystals, to found objects.

Whether you’re still getting a feel for your favorites, or you’re getting bored with the same old techniques, Bead Chic will help you jump start your creativity, and find new ways to get inspiration for your own art jewelry.

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading and North Light Books
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