The
Magic of Beaded Spherical Nets, Techniques and Projects by Merry Makela Merry Makela has written that rare beading book that introduces a completely new technique in beading. Although the book describes a form of netting, both the technique and the results are unique to this author. She extends two dimensional netting into three dimensional, sculpted objects. You learn to make:
The results are lacy, doily-like, romantic and very striking. They look impossibly difficult to make, yet the technique is easy to do once you learn it. One show stopper is a basket that stands alone and has a contrast color lining. There is even a Christmas tree ornament. Although she has been a beader for over 30 years, Merry Makela has an academic background in the biological sciences and writes like a scholar rather than a how-to book author. You have to read everything to understand the technique; there are no numbered steps to scan quickly to get the gist of the technique. Sometimes a related technique such as making ear studs out of wire is completely buried inside the beading instructions. So if you tend to skim instruction books, or are used to seeing a project divided into separate procedures, this book does not do that. You'll need to read this one completely like a text book, not like a cook book. After you make the recommended learning pieces, the technique becomes yours. You should definitely make at least one sample, even if you already know netting and beading. Now you can stop reading beading instructions and just look at the charts at the end of the book. There is a complete, easy to see chart for every project. You can photocopy the charts and color them in your favorite colors. Merry Makela gives commercial sources for the materials she uses, one of which is her own bead store. Because her techniques require very tight tension, she recommends using uphostery thread. I found this 100% nylon and prewaxed thread widely available in lovely colors in home sewing stores around Los Angeles. Coats makes a version, other off-brand versions exist. Because this thread is heavier and coated with a shiny finish, it is nice to work with and helps you maintain the necessary taut tension. There is a long section on soldering jump rings for use inside flat net earrings. I would substitute split rings because I don't want to learn soldering. If you are familiar with Merry Makela's work from The New Beadwork of Moss and Scherer, the projects in this book look completely different from the necklace featured in that book. I recommend The Magic of Beaded Spherical Nets to beaders who want to learn an exciting new technique, or like to make net covered bottles, or enjoy free standing beaded objects. Reviewed by Sylvia Sur, Los Angeles, March 1997 |