Discovering Your Own Creative Trail of Bead Embellishments

Creative Visions Press, 3898 Dellview Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55112, USA, 612-633-3668, Fax 612-633-2107, email Nancy.M.Eha-2@tc.umn.edu ,  ISBN 0-9656476-0-9, $19.95 + $3.00, softcover, 138 pages, + you can purchase Certified Beadaholic T-Shirts, Large through 3XLarge

Several embellishment books have been published in the last 10 years addressing embellishment in one fashion or another.  Nancy Eha's, Off The Beadin' Path, shines among them.   Eha combines inspiration, techniques, ideas and examples along with easy applications to make new creations and enjoy a new freedom of expression. About The Author is an informative page about Eha and then the introduction sets the stage for explorations and great adventures with beads and fiber.  Eha lists the Table of Contents as "Trails,"  which guides you through the creative process in Exploring Possibilities, Soothing The Inner Critic, Asking Stupid Questions and Listening From Within.  I could not tell you how many times students have asked the beadwrangler, "I know this is a stupid question, but....."  There are no stupid questions.  I am please Eha is addressing this issue. You will enjoy these chapters and the realization that many other people have had the same experiences you do.  Next is a checklist and information on   supplies including thread, needles, beads, fabric, tools and lighting.  Eha provides comprehensive information about fabric preparation such as shrinkage, preservation of shape and securing the fabric prior to beading.  Bead appliqué includes couching and back stitches plus challenges for experimentation.  Creating Texture With Beads offers variations and stitches with beads that stick up in application.  I especially liked the telephone pole bead stitch, corkscrew and zigzag.  Eha offers challenges in each chapter for new experimentation.  Edging and Fringing are primarily for the edges and as fringe on fabric which includes brick stitch edging of triangle forms.  Crazy Beading converts embroidery stitches to beading stitches. Changing Fabric Surfaces offers ideas for hand quilting with beads, using beads in running stitch variations and ideas for patterns.  Some of the stitch names are Vermicelli, Broken Noodles and Pumpkin Seeds.  Beaded Trapunto takes you a step further into to new experiences by stuffing portions of the fabric which results in relief type shapes and adding beads to this raised shape.  This chapter ends with how to make beaded coils. Sculpting Fabric Shapes includes use of wire support and size recommendations, sandwiching fabrics and making ultra suede fabrics.   Use of PVC Plastic and milk bottle plastics are explained. Beading on Counted Canvas explores the use of  prepared cloth for beading precise patterns.   Counted canvass beading of  Norway and Romania are discussed along with photo image examples.  Page 116 has beaded beads from Hungary; there is a strand of beads without embellishment, one bead with threads prepared and then to the right is the finished beaded beads. Crazy Quilt Patchwork Techniques includes preparation of the fabric, basting method, fusible webbing and making a canvas stretcher floor stand.  Page 122-125 offer detailed illustrations and assembly instructions to make the canvas stretcher.  Suggested reading/bibliography, cyber bead sites, supplier list, selected glossary, acknowledgments, a page for ideas and inspiration and order forms are at the back of the book.  Eha's  illustrations and instructions are easy to follow; step-by-step directions are included in each chapter.  She includes black and white photo images of her and other artists' beadwork plus beadwork from countries outside the USA.   I wish the beadwork images were in color, however, I realize color images would have greatly added to the final cost of the book.   Nancy Eha's book is inspirational and an excellent reference book.  Keep this book out when you are embellishing, making fancy dangles and fringes.  There are over 40 illustrations for stitching dangle and fringing techniques plus many illustrations for stitch shaping.  Can't remember a particular fringe you want to use, just thumb through Eha's book and you will probably find it.  You can use her page for ideas and inspiration to add any new fringes or dangles designs you create.  This is definitely a winner and jampacked with jump-starts for new concepts in beading.  By the way, I have one of Eha's Beadaholic T-shirts and it is super comfortable and fun to wear!