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Beaded Elegance;
Home Accents & Gifts to Make by
Martingale & Company If you want to add the sparkle and shimmer of beads to your surroundings, this is the book for you. Beaded home accents are certainly the rage right now and if you can design and make your own—as the young people say, “How cool is this!” Most of these projects come together in just a few steps. You can add shimmer to a lampshade, sparkle to napkin rings, and elegance to a silk box or excitement to a picture frame for eye catching results. All the basics are covered: beads, beaded trims, findings (eye pins, head pins, jump rings, etc.), along with recommendations for tools and supplies. Starting up shouldn’t involve too much expense as many of the tools and supplies are all ready in a crafters workspace. There are a total of 16 projects which, of course, teach the skills for countless variations. You can bead a lampshade, padded box, picture frame or album, make beaded napkin rings, and add beaded trim or tassels to pillows or table runners. The crystal draped chandelier and beaded votive holders could be easily completed by an inexperienced crafter More complicated projects include holiday ornaments, beaded circular place mats and a beaded vase. I found the beaded wire mesh candle shade, floral candle wreath and beaded beach hurricane shade to be appealing. These involve wirework and allow space for your own creativity and personal touch. The forsythia pillow provides an introduction to decorative beading on fabric. This project also teaches you how to add beaded wire flowers to a pillow or other object. The projects are attractive and teach basic skills that can be easily mastered by most. Think of how a few hours could update the look of your home. The photos and diagrams are helpful and the instructions clearly written. This is a nice little book for anyone who wants to make some unique, personalized gifts, or add some sparkle to their home without a major expenditure. Review by Diana Norris |