Second Looks by Suzanne Cooper
Softbound, 40 pgs., full color, $24.95?, Suzanne Cooper, Inc., PO Box 445, Spring Branch, TX 780770, suzcoop@suzannecooper.com, retailers contact Helby Imports for wholesale orders, book #BK2212; 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.

Most beaders know Suzanne is an accomplished artist and a very creative designer. I enjoy the designs in every book she authors with the exception of no how to instructions, only patterns provided. This time Suzanne has included the how to instructions in Second Looks which makes me very happy.

Suzanne states two reasons for the title and tells you why. I can think of a third. When you look at some of the patterns, you have to look a second time to see all the design elements and subject matter in the pattern that include complex shapes and details with light and shade. All the necklaces are worked using peyote techniques but look like they were woven on a loom. Each motif looks like a split loom woven necklace.

Three small color charts are included to depict the size of a motif in Delicas, 11/0 and size 14/0 beads to give you a better idea of the scale and size of the piece using each type bead.

The Table of Contents is comprised of 15 color plates of the projects along with the page each project starts on. Illustrations and instructions are given for even and odd count flat peyote and even count tubular peyote. The how to of brick stitch is not included, however, Suzanne indicates you can make the patterns using brick stitch if you turn the patterns 90 degrees. It is assumed that if you want to do them in brick stitch, you already know the beading technique.

There is a layout of a necklace as if it were stretched on a loom using a foam core board instead. She shows placement of the sections of the necklace for planning and combining the beaded sections together.

The patterns are very diverse; geometrics, florals, ocean waves, abstract island, waves, dragon, gecko, tiger, paisley and optical patterns that appear three dimensional. Every pattern is lovely and the overall design that Susanne brings together is what makes each necklace a designer choice. My favorite is the Tiger, it is very realistic with great dimension. You do not see the whole face of the tiger, it is more like a section of the tiger, like a quick close up photo as if one got a little too close for comfort. Each pattern includes a full page color chart and a color image of the finished necklace. Delica color numbers are included for each pattern with a dot of the color next to the number.

Each necklace has different type fringing She does not include instructions for the fringing but the techniques are common enough that most beaders know how to work them. What makes the fringe more unique is the type of accent and end beads used. The dragon necklace has tassels on the ends and the Ocean and Island has strung beads and glass leaves woven along the edge on one side.

If you enjoy working charted patterns with peyote or brick stitch and want to add split woven necklaces to your collection without using a loom, Suzanne’s Second Looks is the answer.