Bead Crochet Snakes by Adele Rogers Recklies, Ph.D.
(History and Technique)
ISBN 978-0-9791649-0-3, softbound, 111pgs, $22.95, Reckless Beading Press, 420 4th Ave, #1, Brooklyn, NY 11215,  www.beadcrochetsnakes.com , http://home.earthlink.net/~knitter718/index.html

Adele's has a degree in the theatrical field.  She is a well established designer, creating beadwork for Broadway shows and the movie industry, and now has authored this magnificent publication to share with us.  I have seen Adele's work on the internet, however, holding her book in my hands and seeing the lavish colored bead crochet snakes up close is a real treat.

Not only is her work absolutely beautiful, she includes an in-depth history of bead crochet snakes and provides instructions for you to make your own snakes.  Approximately half her book covers the historical aspects of bead crochet snakes throughout the world.

The cover page is breath-taking, and all the color snake photos inside are a delight.  Her bead crochet snakes website is about her new book.  The other website provides a background through photo images of her designer creations, including knitting, crochet, beading and other craft techniques; very inspiring.

I love the snake pattern that Adele is wearing for her photo that accompanies her bio at the back of the book.  It looks to me like a cobra.  Although I would not want to meet one, I would love to make the cobra and many other snakes. 

Tool and supply information is provided, as well as how-to work bead single crochet.  Illustrations are provided for both right and left-hand crocheters.  There are four variations for making your tubular snakes, instructions for adding more beads when you run out, and how to read a graph.

There are five projects; two snake bracelets and three snake ropes.  One of the snake bracelets is made with memory wire to wrap around your wrist.  All the projects are exciting, however, I like the rattlesnake pattern best.  Perhaps that is because I used to help my uncle catch rattlesnakes on the volcano mesas in Albuquerque, NM, for the university serum projects.   They are truly beautiful creatures, however, their bite does hurt.  I speak from experience.

Adele has a unique technique for the snake attachment to the tail, wherein you can change the length of the snake.  It does not require a wire inside the snake mouth for opening and closing it.   Adele provides instructions for every step to make the snake; head, tail and the in-between.    There is a chart for each section of the snake to easily follow in addition to the instructions.  After you have  made Adele's snakes, you can go on to create your own patterns for snakes in any size beads and length.

When I was about 10, I had a pet bull snake that was exactly the width of the TV.   He often liked to lay right along the bottom of the TV.  You would not even know he was there unless you knew to look for him.  My mom had a group of ladies over for coffee one day in that same room.  All of a sudden Herbie decided to peel off from the TV and move on out from all the noisy ladies.  You should have seen the coffee fly and plates break, as the women jumped and screamed to get away from Herbie.  It terrified Herbie, and he quickly departed.  Needles to say, Mom was not happy with me.  Herbie got his own food, so I never had to watch his feeding habits.  Snakes do not feel slimy to touch, in fact their skin has a pleasant texture.  

The publication of Bead Crochet Snakes is a historical event; bringing bead crochet snake creativity from the past right into creative artistry today.  Adele's book is a must have for bead crochet enthusiasts and those who appreciate beautiful beadwork and it history.  Thanks Adele!