Russian Beadweaving, (Russian Language/no translation for author or publisher)    ISBN 5-86444-066-3, Hardbound, 350pgs., full color, $34.95, retailers contact Helby Imports for wholesale orders, book #BK3511; retail customers can contact Helby for the nearest bead or fiber store carrying this book. HELBY@IDT.NET, www.helby.com, 908-474-1000, fax 908-474-2100.

Russian Beadweaving is a beautiful book full of inspiration and designs of Russian creativity. Don’t let the title confuse you, in addition to beadweaving on a loom, there are several non weaving techniques including netting, right angle (no it is not a true weave), chevrons, peyote, square stitch, spiraling and various embellishing techniques. Florals, polyhedrons, ropes, collars, and many other jewelry designs are provided.

There is page after page of large full color images of the projects plus step by step illustrations to make it easy to follow without a translation of written instructions. In addition, there are many pages of designer beadwork, many including Russian motifs and local colors.

Each type stitch covers a diverse number of techniques and projects to make, in fact each beading stitch includes an enrichment of new ideas in creativity. There are extraordinary designs with intricate color patterns that are easy to make, using the charts and changing the colors to those you like best to match your own wardrobe.

Page 96 and 97 are good examples of how every step is provided. The finished necklace is on page 96. Page 97 begins with illustrations for each step to work the netted design in a vertical direction. Enough steps are provided so you see exactly how the rows are worked and then a graph of several rows are included with a color guide. Once you have made a more basic pattern you can go on to some of the more complex designs.

There is a beaded tie that has diamond shapes worked from large to small up the piece. There are necklaces that appear to be loom woven split necklaces when in fact they are netted together with geometric motifs worked in. Ropes with beaded flowers on the ends, fringes and itsy bitsy flowers, gobs of chains, spirals with little floral patterns, open and closed netting combined in necklaces, loopy necklaces, big collars with dynamic chevron motifs, beaded butterflies and scrumptious stars and diamonds, cameos, diverse pendant shapes, bottle embellishment and even a mouse, headdress and covered eggs are included.

One chapter has a profusion of bugle beaded jewelry. They are reminiscent of one of Diane Fitzgerald’s designs except she develop the same type appearance with beads rather than bugles. Here are necklaces and earrings designs that will use up all the bugles you have on hand. Many crisscross over each other and appear to be loose strands but are actually attached to each other. There is a very large illustrations on page 238 that identifies where the bugle sections connect up together.

Many open leaf and floral patterns and combinations of them are included. These designs gave me many ideas for other creations using crochet and knitting techniques with beads. There is a Russian leaf design with a large graph for a small and large leaf with what is identified in parts of the Southwestern USA as an Eye of God design (Ojo de Dios) motif and easy illustrations to make them. Many beaders have seen some of these type leaves in bead magazines with simple motifs included. These leaves have more geometric formations included in the pattern. They are worked in peyote and the top section pulled together leaving a hole in the center. Chunky pieces combining small and large beads and illustrations are spread across several pages.

The color choices, shading and color graduations of the beads in many designs make it more like small artworks instead of jewelry. There are several pages of beadwork that I am guessing are antique and of historical value. This is one area where I would have enjoyed a translation. On page 338 and 339 are two beaded figures dating to an earlier time and I am sure the beading is very old. It is an extraordinary piece of beadwork. There is a purse all beaded with bugles in various colors with a fringed strap plus beaded bottles, a lamp and beaded doilies, all exquisite and inspirational.

This is an amazing book full of inspiration and designs to make like the examples or adapt to your liking.. Russian Beadwork includes motifs and colors that are enchanting and make a statement of the overwhelming creative endeavors of Russian beaders. You do not need a translation to see Russian history through beading from the past through today, ever changing and yet in touch with their origins. Russian Beadweaving is a definite collectible book every beader will want in their library.