Beadwrangler Magazine Review
Ornament

Ornament, P.O. Box 2349, San Marcos, CA 92079-9806, phone 800-888-8950 or 760-599-0222, fax 760-599-0228, email ornament@cts.com

Winter 1999, Vol 23, No 2

The cover page has tantalizing threads, oh yes. Chinese Hair Ornaments by Robert K. Liu are discussed along with a variety of hair ornaments, many of silver, others with enamels and some include beads. Exhibition Announcements include a note about an exhibit of Joyce J. Scott’s work starting in January 2000. Kay Disbrow, fiberist, shows her work of silk and Someone’s Garden Kimono-coat is my choice for sure. Paula Walter, a beader, talks about her work and the photo images includes beading attached to beaded gemstone cabochons. Each piece is quite spectacular. Mexican Silver pre-Columbian Influence by Joane Stuher includes historical aspects and information on an exhibit that continues through part of January 2000.

Rebekah Younger, A Whole Cloth by Chiori Santiago interviews this fiberist and has eye popping treasures such as the machine knit shawl on page 35 of discharged rayon. The absolutely stunning poncho on page 32 looks more like a contemporary kimono to me. Yummm! Then on page 36 is a saffron ensemble in what looks like gold and beige combinations, too wonderful!

Urban Stigmata by Glen R. Brown highlights Jaki Yager, mixed media artist and her work. There are several more fiber and metalwork artist articles. Archaic Effigy Beads In the Native American Southeast by Susan C. Power is an in-depth look the these beads and their history. Adorning the Wrist by Robert K. Liu is a pile of bracelets made of various materials, each unique and of interest. The Naga boar tusk bracelet is like nothing I have ever seen before. The Beaded Universe, Strands of Culture by Carolyn L.E. Benesh is a short article about the exhibit at the American Craft Museum continuing through part of January 2000. Breast Beads is a look as some of the ancient bead beginnings; the photo images include a variety of shapes and materials from antiquity. Postscript focuses on our changing times from the editor’s point of view.

Autumn 1999, Vol 23, No 1

Fall Crafts Park Avenue by Carolyn L.E. Benesh has a brief description of this show and plenty of color images of some artworks that were included in the show. The Jacket by Basia Kaminski looks antique and contemporary at the same time; the beaded ladder necklace by Bette Kelley is exotic in gold, black and bronze tones and the leaf necklace by Tess Sholom gave me many ideas for design in other mediums. Philadelphia Museum of art Craft Show is also reviewed by Carolyn and more luscious images are included. Exhibit Announcements bring you many beautiful images of exhibit pieces even if you were not able to attend the show. Arrows of the Spirit by Carolyn L.E. Benesh covers a major exhibition of Native American wearable art at the Mingei International Museum in San Diego, California. There are more short subjects including Masks, Faces of Culture from the Saint Louis Art Museum and Nature Formed/Transformed, Contemporary British Applied Arts exhibit. It includes an evening bag by Pollyanna Beeley with long tubes and chains that is very intriguing.

Ricky Frank, an enamel jewelry artist, explains how he became interested in enamel work. Photo images of his work in enamel and gold plus opals are on pages 32 and 33. Cynthia Wayne Gaffield, fiberist, talks about her work and her Tomato Coat of Tussah silk is a knockout in reds. Qing Dynasty Silver Qilins by Margaret Duda talks about the mythological and symbolical significance of these wearable items. Photo images start on page 36 and run through 41. I like the figures on the bottom of page 36 that look like temple dogs or dragons. The feature of this issue, Ann Paxton, by Shelly E. Wiles, has beautiful color images of Ann’s beaded artworks. They are like tiny paintings and evoke great emotion in the portraits on each little bag. Finally, after many years of other ornamentation, we got a beadwork cover page, thanks Ornament. Nepalese Jewelry Styles by Hannelore Gabriel, is a reflection on the people, historical and economical background and the jewelry they make. There are more short articles on fiberists and metalsmiths. See Glass Beads & Their Makers for glass articles in this issue.

Connecting Links by Robert K. Liu takes you into the work area and a view of jewelry being created. Bead Museums has a photo of Gabrielle Liese, the founder and Cheryl Cobern-Browne, the new director of the Bead Museum in Arizona. There are also photos of the new location in Glendale, Arizona, both inside and out. There is definitely a lot more room for exhibits and the library. Postscript has some thoughts to mull over about beads as a continued collectible.

Summer 1999, Vol. 22, #4

Finally Ornament has an email address so you can check on subscriptions via email.  I have received many email requests for subscription information.  Leech Beads by Robert K. Liu lets us see what these beads are and provides historical information about them.  There is a variety of exhibit reviews and the 'gators on page 21 that are part of an exhibit in Mexico are a treat.  Karen Paust by Shelly E. Wiles is a smashing article about this beading artist.  Her work is gorgeous, intricate and enticing.  From florals to butterflies to praying mantis, you can not get enough of her work.

Linda Kindler Priest expresses herself through metal work with fine gems and gold. Grace Ann Agostino shares her purse artistry with us.  I am wild about the evening bag with beading, silk tassel, appliqué and antique lace, it is scrumptious.  All these purses are a treasure trove to look at again and again.   This is an article for savoring.  K. Norman Guldsmide AB by Robert K. Liu is about Kenneth and Sa-ard Norman and their replica jewelry business. Geerewol Festival by Nancy Welch is about the nomadic Wodaabe tribes of Niger and their festival.  You see plenty of bead and fiber ornamentation.

Christina Goodman, A Wearable Art by Chiori Santiago is a look at fine art in the form of tiny broaches that look like landscapes within columns and arches. Eight Southwest Native American Artists by Diana Pardue is a travel through contemporary Native American art.  Rebecca Edwards, Gretchen Girvin, Clancy Beppa by Robin Updike, shows us fiber art jackets, coats and other one of a kind fashions.  Peggy Johnson, Insect Artifacts by Carl Little has winning sterling bugs crated by Peggy Johnson.  She has some attached to gemstone necklaces and sculptures.  Woundn't we all enjoy wearing  some of these little critters?

Robin Bergman, A Remarkable Alchemy by Beth Frankl  is an eye soothing experience, fiber that speaks with color and pattern, soft draping dresses, coats, scarves and purses, just waiting to be worn.  Plain's Native American Adornment by Lois Sherr Dubin has wonderful collar necklaces and breast plates, beaded buckskin clothing and strung trade beads with historical information provided about these items and the people who made them.  Brooching It Diplomatically by Carolyn L.E. Benesh is a brief look at an exhibit of brooches and some are funny, some speak to you and others are a cut up. Wool Dogs of the Northwest by Diana G. Pinto is a fiber story of Native American weaving and their history.  Wearable Art Photography by Robert K. Liu is a how-to on photographing your work.  Once again, an enjoyable issue with postscript from the editors to top it off.

Spring 1999, Vol. 22, #3

Exhibition Announcement has several examples in color of items in bead and fiber exhibits.  Design with HeArt by Robert K. Liu describes the Third Design with HeArt Conference that is taking place this year and lists several fiber artists that will be attending the event.  The Bali Coat by Jean Williams Cacicedo is tantalizing on page 21.  It is like a contemporary mola coat with layer upon layer of color and cutouts to the bottom fiber layer. Betty Rawitsch is an easy read about her art interests, some dates and background on Bakelite, Celluloid and French Ivory and what she creates with these items.  Jean Sweet defines her stitchery and textile art-to-wear along with visuals of her work. Helen Drutt English tells you about her gallery and the art that is exhibited there.

Marjorie Schick, Engaging Memory by Glen R. Brown brings you to a world of art-to-wear jewelry made of canvas and paintings of art-to-wear jewelry!   The necklace, De LaLuna/Del Sol on page 30 is brilliant in color and I wish they had shown a front view rather than bits of it behind a mannequin. This may be esthetically appealing as a photograph, but most of us would rather see the whole necklace than just tantalizing bits.   There are more complex necklaces and paintings on page 32 through 33.  Nancy Michel,  Alexandra Solowij Watkins, and The Atelier Janiye Studio by Beth Frankl interviews these two metalsmiths and provides close up views of their work.

Ken Bova, A Net of ideas by Shelly E. Wiles is about a mixed media artist making unique jewelry with a variety of materials. MarJane Servis and Steven Wassick, Interlocking Visions by Carl Little is a visual feast of fiber art with an elegant look, subdued and romantic with classic motifs. Petra Class, Structured Chaos by Chiori Santiago invites a look at her metalsmithing and lapidary art.  Turkoman Jewelry, Beautiful Ornamentation by Kate Fitz Gibbon describes the historical significance and beauty of silversmithed and beaded ornamentation from Turkoman.  Bead Shopping on the Omdurman Souq with David Tannenbaum makes you want to be there when you see the piles of beads ready for purchase on page 56.  Pages 58 through 59 only build one's desire to pack a suitcase and go.

Grape Coral by Shelly E. Wiles includes images of one of a kind hats   from an exhibit.  There are beaded hats, fiber hats and mixed media hats and they are displayed on a table! Dina and Patty Hulet by Robert K. Liu talks about these two glass artists and is on the Glass Beads & Their Makers page.  Glass and Precious Metal Clay by Robert K. Liu is a review of the nationwide project he organized in 1996 and highlights the experiments combining glass with Precious Metal Clay.    See Glass Beads & Their Makers page. Pergamon Museum by Robert K. Liu describes ancient beads in this museum and provides images of some of these beads.

  Winter 1998, Vol 22, No. 2

Opening up this issue, I took a great deal of time looking through the ads because they are so artistic and enjoyable to view.  The color images of Zephyr Glass, Piney Woods Beads by Elizabeth Blood, art to wear at the Santa Fe Weaving Gallery and many others took my breath away. Telluride Gallery of Fine Arts by Robert K. Liu invites you to visit and see their exhibits which includes ornamental art. Bill Ford tells us about his metalwork and we can view the critter jewelry and art he creates.  Lynn Yarrington, a fiber artist, shows us her stunning woven jackets.   Exhibition Announcements include The Warhol Look Glamour, Style, Fashion exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Australia; Daniel Brush, Gold Without Boundaries exhibit , National Museum of American Art; and Agayuliyararput: Our Way of Making Prayer The Living Tradition of Yup'ik Masks exhibit in Alaska.  India: A Jewelry Spectrum by Carolyn L.E. Benesh highlights the work curated by Oppi Untracht.

Kuba Beaded Collars by Dave Mort has some close up images of these collars and historical information about them.  Kurus,  Maori Ear Pendants by Richard Hibler is an article about jade pendants worn as earrings and they look too heavy to wear but wouldn't I love to hold one in my hands.  There is a photo image of South Island, New Zealand accompanying the article and it calls to me, I would to travel there.  Shellie Brooks, Mastery of Form by Beth Frankl introduces Brooks'   polymer art that is combined with precious and semi precious materials.  The pendant on page 42 is enchanting.  Michael Kane and Steve Sells, Natural Energy, by Glen R. Brown provides smashing wearables to view and information about the fiber artists. Emanuela Aureli, Interactive Minimalism by Chiori Santiago show us the work of this metalsmith and examples of her work. Joan Tenenbaum by Judith Starbuck is a journey through Tenebaum's mixed media sculpture and metalwork that reflects her time spent in Alaska. Charlotte Bird by Shelly E. Wiles is a look at Bird's silk art to wear using hand dying and airbrush techniques. Coats of Many Colours by Beth Frankl is a historical article on Jewish costume, information on the exhibit at The Jewish Museum in London, England and details about the decorative needlework, gold and silver thread embellishment and other exotic materials employed.

Rene Lalique, Art Nouveau Genius by Carolyn L.E. Benesh provides historical information about Lalique and his  wearable art.  The seahorses brooch with opals on page 72 is exquisite.  Museums of Beloit College by Robert K. Liu offers information about the museums and photo images of collection pieces.   Soft Flex Company by Robert K. Liu reviews this successful company and their products owned by partners Mike Sherman and Scott Clark.  The glass article is reviewed in Glass Beads and Their Makers.