purveyorallthingscreative's profile

Don't know where to start with bead stringing?

Because I sell jewelry and beading tools and supplies in my store Purveyor of All Things Creative, I get a lot of questions from beginners asking "what is the best beginner book out there?" Until now, I really couldn't come up with a title that I could really recommend. And then along comes The Absolute Beginners Guide to Stringing Beaded Jewelry by Karin Buckingham. This book is the perfect introduction for those who want to learn how to string beaded jewelry. Beginning with a Basics section that covers beads, tools, findings, and your workspace, Karin's book then moves into 35 projects ranging from simple stringing to knotting and connecting beaded segments. The projects are divided into four sections: Stringing, Connecting, Fiber Fun, and Extra Goodies. Don't miss the sidebars because they contain valuable tips and information that will help you become a better jewelry artisan. I especially loved the 10 tips for getting past a creative dead end. The close up photography, detailed instructions and attractive projects make this the first book I will recommend to beginners who want to learn bead stringing. There is information here, too, that will benefit more advanced beaders who a looking to refine their techniques.

The Meaning of Tingo

I bought this book after seeing it on the Graham Norton Show on BBC America. I'm sure glad I did. I probably would have never stumbled across it on my own. BBC researcher Adam Jacot de Boinod noticed that an Albanian dictionary contained 27 different words each for eyebrows and mustache and after his obsessive 18-month journey through hundreds of foreign dictionaries, he has produced a funny and informative guide to the world's strangest words. Who couldn't find a use for "neko-neko," an Indonesian word for "one who has a creative idea which only makes things worse," or "skeinkjari," a term from the Faroe Islands for "the man who goes among wedding guests offering them alcohol"? Having spent much of my life in Hawaii I can attest that there are word in other languages that just don't translate: my favorite Hawaiian one being "lolo." Any page you open to in The Meaning of Tingo pays tribute to the inventive genius of the world's peoples. The Meaning of Tingo is a UK bestseller that by all rights should become equally popular in the States. I call it the perfect bathroom book; and it would also make a great gift for anyone interested in language and cultural differences.

Beautiful and inspirational projects for jewelry makers

As beaders and jewelry makers we are living in a wonderful time. Blogs, websites and beautiful books are everywhere. The inspiration and education encompassed in these books is mind boggling. Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders by Irini Miech crossed my desk this week and it certainly gets a thumbs up from me. Published by Kalmbach Books and designed and edited in their easy to follow, well thought out style, this book contains step-by-step project instructions for all skill levels. As someone who does not follow instructions, I'm happy to say that each project also teaches techniques that can be applied to your own designs and projects. Beginning to wireworking basics and progressing to advanced cabachon wraps, I think this is a beautiful book that will appeal to a broad cross section of beaders and jewelry makers. I especially loved the Framed Pearls and Celtic Knots projects. They are elegant and very wearable.