A beadmaker's guide to detail and design. Covers beadmaking from beginning to end. For aspiring beginners, experienced lampworkers and lovers of glass art alike. Hundreds of colorful photos and detailed step-by-step instructions. 222 pages.

    This guide teaches about bead embroidery stitches; seed, bugle, novelty, and charm beads; woven, nonwoven, and knitted clothes; and Nymo, embroidery, and cotton sewing threads. The four foundation stitches as well as several variations on those stitches are illustrated. In addition, 10 beautiful projects, ranging from simple to complex, give beaders a chance to apply this new skill. Projects include an embellished small bag, an embellished jean jacket pocket, decorative pins, necklaces, and an embellished scarf.

    A historical perspective explains how and why beadwork is produced and what techniques are popular today. Clear and concise directions show how to produce beadwork in the Native American tradition, including lane stitch, loom, appliqué, gourd stitch, and Comanche brickwork. An illustrated gallery showcases historical and contemporary beadwork. Also included is information on research, tools, and materials.

    Rubber stamps and polymer clay are brought together to create fabulous, easy-to-make items for gift-giving or to decorate the home.Barbara McGuire provides information on types of clay, stamps, paints and powders, as well as basic techniques for creating original stamps. Projects range from basic to advanced, and include such fun, fresh items as: -- Handmade books, frames and pins-- Bracelets, hair bands, necklaces and buttons-- Translucent and embedded stamped images-- Carved images-- Holders, ornaments and more

    A String and a Prayer recounts the history and symbolism of prayer beads, teaches basic techniques for stringing beads and a host of other objects into prayer beads, and offers a variety of prayers and rituals to use those beads on a daily basis. Beads have appeared throughout history. Prayer beads are used in the spiritual practices of cultures as diverse as the African Masai, Native Americans, Greek and Russian Orthodoxy, as well as the religious rituals of Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, and Buddhism. But prayer is highly personal. By infusing prayer beads with personal associations, we can keep our spirituality fresh. The beads are a device to help build and rebuild meaningful ritual in our lives. With myriad ideas about what makes objects sacred and where to find sacred objects from the personal, perhaps beads from a grandmother's broken rosary, to the unusual, maybe seashells from far away found in a thrift store A String and a Prayer offers many suggestions for different ways that beads can be made and used, exploring the creative roles they can play in our relationships, ceremonies, and rituals. "You are the expert, trust yourself. Let the instructions be a guide to your own creativity," write the authors.

    Discover nearly 50 fabulous techniques for creating one-of-a-kind designer fabrics using your imagination as the guide.