Media Reviews: The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving

The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving
by Carol Wilcox Wells
Lark Books, a division of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY, ISBN 1-57990-200-6, 2002
Hardcover, 10-1/4" x 8-3/4", $27.95.

Reviewed by Theresa Guthrie

Like taking an exceptionally beautiful detour after driving the same route every day, Carol Wilcox Wells has taken us down a new, inspiring, and eye-pleasing road of off-loom bead weaving. Living up to and exceeding expectations after the release of her last book, Creative Bead Weaving, Carol has presented us with another exciting publication. Excellent photography and clear, precise illustrations direct the reader through a section called Materials, Tools, and Tips, where, finally, I have learned the secret to tying a weaver’s knot. Without delay, we are brought to the Beaded Beads. In this chapter, step by step directions are given for Carol’s spoke, lace cap, lace net, and famous caged beads. Inventive and classy beaded bead contributions by JoAnn Bauman and Tina Bloomenthal, Leslie Frazier, Marcia DeCoster, and Gail Naylor give the beader hours of discovery and play.

Kathlyn Moss joins Carol by sharing her Bead Jazz in the next chapter on chevron chains. With all its variations in pattern, bead sizes, and color combinations, this chapter could be a book in itself. Not only is this chain stitch used for jewelry, but it can be manipulated into lacy sculptural works as well. Carol’s ribbon choker, napkin ring, and pagoda basket demonstrate the versatility of this stitch.

Good tips on patterns, construction, and finishing crocheted ropes are covered in the next chapter. Then Carol presents the herringbone stitch. Its variations and applications, both flat and tubular, follow with scrumptious projects by Carol Horn, and The Choker with a Secret by Leslie Frazier. The peyote stitch is illustrated by gallery photos, illustrations, and diagrams for exciting projects such as the Kaua’I Ring from NanC Meinhardt and the stretchy, spiral bracelet by Suzanne Golden.

A clear presentation of the spiral rope with all of its metamorphoses wraps up this journey into bead weaving. Beaders, both beginners and “old hands,” will feel inspired and educated by the thorough coverage of all the highlighted techniques. Though free-form beading is all the rage these days, it is refreshing to have patterns and projects with elegant and classic design details presented in a professional, yet artistically arousing manner. Many of the contributing artists have shared their class projects — a gift to those who are unable to attend bead shows and classes. But the real gift comes with the awakening of the expression of the beader’s personal artwork inspired by this book.

Theresa Guthrie is a bead teacher and owner of the online bead store www.MoondanceDesigns.com in Concord, Massachusetts.