Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry

Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry
Gifted by Kalmbach Publishing Co.
Reviewed by Molly Fletcher, Editor, AllFreeJewelryMaking.com
 

Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry contains over 100 pages of ideas for jewelry pieces that will spark the reader's imagination. Author and designer Maggie Roschyk brings together cultures from around the globe in her eye-catching pieces. Readers can learn to view the world as a designer would, experimenting with colors, finishes, and stitches to invent a looks that are modern yet timeless. 

Intended for intermediate beaders who are familiar with basic techniques, Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry is full of woven projects that will challenge and excite jewelry makers. Readers should be prepared to use multiple stitches in one piece, and if they need a refresher, they may refer to the back of the book. Unusual for a beading guide, each pattern has a backstory. Roschyk explains what inspired each piece, shedding light on her creative process. Of course, the expectation is not to recreate every accessory in the book. Readers should feel free to play with bead colors and textures and put their own spin on each piece.

Readers who prefer to follow projects to the letter will also find Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry helpful. In addition to covering tools and supplies used in jewelry making, there is information on how to develop design ideas and color palettes to make jewelry pieces look dynamic rather than flat. Designers experiencing "beader's block" will find her tips on sources of inspiration useful as well.

Artistic Seed Bead Jewelry is first and foremost intended to be a source of inspiration. Though there are beautiful galleries in this book, not every project that's pictured is accompanied by a tutorial. If you see a pair of earrings that you really love, for instance, you might be left guessing how to make your own. In a future publication, I'd like for all of the pieces in the photographs to come with patterns. Those that do are classic and contemporary at the same time, making them suitable for any occasion.