"An exciting collection of beautiful, off-loom woven necklaces. The photographs alone are worth the price...a source of instruction and inspiration... easy to read and wonderful for the beginner." --"Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot." "Very original...Banes draws on her lifelong interest in found objects and ethnic ornaments...[there are] photos of many of her...necklaces, with diagrammed patterns... unique approach to jewelry design."--"Library Journa"l. "The results are spectacular... the necklaces become true works of art, not just macrame look-alikes."--"Booklist."

“Very original...Banes draws on her lifelong interest in found objects and ethnic ornaments... [There are] photos of many of her...necklaces, with diagrammed patterns...unique approach to jewelry design.”—Library Journal. “The results are spectacular...the necklaces become true works of art, not just macram� look-alikes.”—Booklist.

This book opens with an illustrated gallery of work made by Helen Banes. Fitzgerald then explains how the neckpieces are made and presents readers with 19 projects they can make themselves. Information about ethnic origins and symbolic meanings are given as well as a color photo of each piece.

With a mix of convenient materials and an imaginative approach, this creative compendium will appeal to jewelry makers of all levels. Highlighting 25 modern wire, bead, and fiber jewelry designs, the projects include numerous knitting, crocheting, and felting techniques. Materials and tools are also outlined, encouraging the use of basic methods. From knitting copper wire and mixing it with contrasting beads to crocheting linen into fiber hoop earrings or an elegant scarf necklace, this collection will never fail to inspire. Felting techniques are also explored in detail for creating wire-caged beads, wide-cuff bracelets, and rope necklaces. Special sidebars and tip boxes throughout ensure success with every project.

Kumihimo Basics & Beyond presents techniques for creating all-cord braids and beaded braids, then teaches beaders how to transform them into finished jewelry. Short demonstrations of the key techniques needed for each project are presented in easy-to-grasp portions, allowing beaders to learn and practice as they go. Rebecca Combs demystifies tricky “kumihimo math” by providing detailed supply lists for each project in the book, plus teaches beaders how to calculate the amount of fiber and how many beads they’ll need for their future kumihimo projects.

Work bead magic by rolling wool into hard balls, or adding metallic fiber. Coil polymer clay for a real impact. You'll find that the simplest techniques yield incredibly lovely, one-of-a-kind jewels. "Public libraries...will find this potpourri of projects a distinctive addition to crafts collections."--"Library Journal."

Fill the year ahead with handcrafted beads that you can make yourself by following tutorials from Bead-Making Lab! Imagine a year in beads. We're talking 52 handmade varieties all handcrafted by you! Bead-Making Lab makes this bounty of bead making possible with instructions for bead designs that run the gamut from sophisticated to playful. Bead-Making Lab is organized by material, and single-spread lab tutorials for each bead design make the book simple to use. The tutorials are brief, accomplishable, and rewarding. Choose from traditional materials like paper mache and polymer clay, or opt for new materials such as resins and shrink plastic. Once you've selected your medium, follow the lab instructions for the bead-making technique of your choice. Try a new technique each week! With how-tos including molding, carving, painting, gluing, drilling beach glass and pebbles, and creating fiber-art beads with felting and embroidery, you'll have a year of unique projects ahead of you. Bead-Making Lab also offers ideas on how to turn your beads into jewelry and gives you a sneak peek at some contemporary bead artisans' best work. Get busy beading, crafters!