Rachel Nelson-Smith, author of Seed Bead Fusion, is a master beadweaver whose work is infused with her unique combination of fabrication techniques. With a wealth of knowledge and fearless adventure, needle and tools shape bold and vibrant works alive with enormous energy and dynamism. Finding inspiration in surrounding nature, pure color, and beads themselves, Rachel creates pieces reflecting the world she sees around her.
With her first book, "Seed Bead Fusion: 18 Projects to Stitch, Wire and String", Rachel Nelson-Smith has made her mark as one of today's best bead artists. Featuring 18 exciting projects presented with detailed step-by-step photography, color variations, and practical illustrations, this fresh approach to seed bead jewelry teaches crafters how to combine materials, techniques, colors, inspiration, and design ideas for jewelry with a contemporary edge. Inspired by a wide range of sources—from Indian Punjabi folk costumes to Native American beading—the designs in this inventive resource fuse materials such as silver, copper wire, seed beads, Czech glass, and crystals into these traditional arts in order to achieve a unique outcome. All of the basic beadweaving stitches, wirework, and stringing techniques are explained and illustrated.
Some of the designs available in the book:
Just in case you aren't sure where to get some the materials for any of the projects, a full line of kits is offered on the Rachel Nelson-Smith website. These kits include everything you need to make the projects in the book, with the exception of needles and thread.
You can go to Amazon to buy this book:
Here is one of the book reviews written By Leanne (San Diego, CA) at Amazon:
I've been beading for about five years and have a fairly decent collection of beading books, but this is the first I've seen that includes small close-up shots that show most (if not all) of the steps for most projects, in addition to the written directions and larger photos. This is such a nice feature to have in case any questions come up while working on a project. Most of all, though, I really love this book since it features some of the projects by Nelson-Smith that I have seen, but have never been able to take a class for: her Ootheca Cuff, O. Berston Component, and Bhangra Fusion Bangle, in addition to fifteen other projects. She also provides several different samples in various colorways so you can easily see the possible variations for each project. There is a lot of lovely eye candy in her designs! Many of the projects combine the use of wirework and beading, and Nelson-Smith provides excellent instructions for the wire-phobic amongst us beadweavers. In fact, the first project that I want to make from the book is one that combines wires and beads, and normally I shy away from wirework in favor of bead-only projects since I feel so clumsy (despite numerous classes) working with wire. (Beading is more of my element.) This book is a great addition to your beading library -- and don't let the wirework scare you off since Nelson-Smith explains her wire techniques so well!
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