I am very much looking forward to seeing a copy as soon as my library gets it.  It’s probably (but not certainly) not a book I will purchase, but I am intrigued and somewhat charmed by the idea.

An excerpt:

It would never have happened if not for Saddam Hussein. When U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright criticized the dictator, his poet in residence responded by calling her “an unparalleled serpent.” Shortly thereafter, while preparing to meet with Iraqi officials, Albright pondered: What to wear? She decided to make a diplomatic statement by choosing a snake pin. Although her method of communication was new, her message was as old as the American Revolution—Don’t Tread on Me.

From that day forward, pins became part of Albright’s diplomatic signature. International leaders were pleased to see her with a shimmering sun on her jacket or a cheerful ladybug; less so with a crab or a menacing wasp. Albright used pins to emphasize the importance of a negotiation, signify high hopes, protest the absence of progress, and show pride in representing America, among other purposes.

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Jama wrote: “I’d really like to try my hand at bead crochet.”  And Laurie Brown entered with: “Doing wirework. While I’d love to get into metal clay, doing wirework won’t require buying as much new equipment, and there are so many wonderful things being done with it these days!”

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Jewelry & Beading Designs for Dummies by Heather H Dismore & Tammy Powley

Designing Jewelry with Semiprecious Beads by Kim Gover

Create Jewelry – Glass by Marlene Blessing and Jamie Hogsett

Chain Style by Jane Dickerson

*****

For Earring Lovers: What more can I say?  You can never have too many earrings!

101 Wire Earrings, Step-by-Step Projects and Techniques by Denise Peck

A Year in Earrings: 365 Designs and Variations by the Editors of BeadStyle magazine

*****

For Those Who Want It All: So many media, so little time.  Any of these books will help you take your work to the next level!

Enchanted Adornments: Creating Mixed-Media Jewelry with Metal, Clay, Wire, Resin & More by Cynthia Thornton

Ancient Modern Polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry by Ronna Sarvas Weltman

The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Jewelry Making Techniques by Vannetta Seecharran

Seed Bead Fusion by Rachel Nelson-Smith

Contemporary Copper Jewelry by Sharilyn Miller

Custom Cool Jewelry by Melinda Barta

Beyond Beading Basics by Carole Rodgers

Steampunk Style Jewelry by Jean Campbell

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As regards FTC disclosure guidelines: I have received these books free of charge from Interweave Press in order to be able to offer them free to you.  I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

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Enchanted Adornments begins with a wonderful technique section, where readers are taken step by step through creating mixed-media jewelry with resin, PMC, polymer clay, and wire. You’ll learn Cynthia’s signature techniques for mold-making and stone setting as well.

The projects range in complexity from beginner to advanced. Even the more difficult or time-consuming projects can easily be scaled down to the reader’s ability level. The directions are step by step, and it’s easy to see where substitutions could be made. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who is looking into how to put more meaning into your pieces!

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So what you’ll find are professional designers, whose names you’ll know from other magazines and books, who’ve created projects in all different media and for all different skill levels.  Sound interesting?

There were no wearables in this sample issue, but there may be some in other issues.  Covering a wide variety of craft media, the issue that I saw was organized around the season and its holidays.  There are projects to do with the kids, lots of home decor and gift ideas, a book and a product review, and a directory of online resources to help you actually be able to make the projects.  There are many fabric projects that could definitely be enhanced even further by your beading skills!

***FREE STUFF ALERT***

So here’s the giveaway: leave a comment below, telling me what your favorite craft or art form is besides beading, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a free subscription to Totally Creative for a year!  That is six issues, altogether    Next week, I will be randomly drawing a winner!

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***FREE STUFF ALERT***FREE STUFF ALERT***

Would you like to have this book?  Just leave me a comment below telling me what’s your favorite jewelry style: classic?  edgy?  cyberpunk?  elegant?   Whatever description best fits your faves.  Next Monday, I’ll be randomly selecting a winner!

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Chain Style
by Jane Dickerson

There’s nothing like adding chain to your design, or even designing an entire piece around chain, to make the design work up quickly. Chain is an excellent material for both beginners and those with advanced skills, because the complexity of your projects is only limited by experience and imagination.

The techniques and materials section is minimal but sufficient.  Largely this is because the projects are all so accessible.  There are 50 designs to inspire you, many created by designers whose names you will know.  This gives a wide variety of styles, and I’m sure you’ll find some that catch your eye no matter how experienced you are.

Using chain is also a wonderful way to stretch your beading budget.  A few special beads connected together with chain will make a fabulous necklace that won’t break the bank!

Image: InterweaveStore.com

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The immediate past editor of Step by Step Beads magazine, Leslie Rogalski, has recently assumed the role of Online Editor for Beading Daily.  The current Step by Step Beads editor, Jane Dickerson, will remain with Interweave in another editorial capacity, and Melinda Barta will continue as editor of Beadwork.

Beadwork magazine has been serving the beading world for more than a decade and delivers the content that our experienced, passionate beaders want: techniques, inspiration, and great projects. Beadwork will be introducing the following new features starting with the April/May 2010 issue:

Project ratings: A graphic that rates a project’s required time commitment level on a 1-to-3 scale.

Stitch Pro: A starting place for beginners that teaches a common stitch, while offering beaders of all levels an in-depth exploration of the stitch.

Simply Seeds: A spotlighted project 100% made with seed beads, from clasp to the body of the project.

Bead Artist: Expanded to include profiles of both bead artisans and beadweaving artists.

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