Beading books full of projects that sparkle

The twinkle and glamour of beads are impossible to ignore. Beads create instant interest, and adding even a few to a ready-made piece of clothing will give it an air of mystery and charm. Beads, the royalty of embellishment, can make clothing look like a million dollars even if it came from the thrift store, off the sale rack or out of your own closet.

It doesn’t take a lot of skill to add beads to clothing according to Larkin Jean Van Horn in her book “Beading on Fabric.”

One of the reasons her book is appealing is that she doesn’t load readers up with too many projects and highly detailed instructions on how to create them. Instead, she peppers the pages with examples of her own beaded pieces and assumes that once stitchers have absorbed the mother lode of information she gives about materials, bead types, thread, tools and techniques, they will take matters into their own hands and imaginations, and produce their own pieces.

Especially intriguing are the author’s instructions for beaded buttons, which allow a bead worker to create small, useful masterpieces using encrusted beading techniques.

Many of the projects in the book are for wearable art. Other projects are utilitarian, such as quilts, and some of the projects are purely artistic.

The book, bound in a handy spiral format that lets the pages open flat, offers clear directions for making bead picot edgings, fringes in netted, twisted, spiral, kinky, leaf and branched varieties, and many other techniques.

Van Horn is a self-taught bead worker and her book reflects this philosophy: If you want to bead something, then do it.

Continuing in the rich vein of beading lore is “Beader’s Stash: Designs from America’s Favorite Bead Shops” by Laura Levaas. Her book features projects for jewelry, martini sticks, an earring stand, mosaic tray, doorway dangles, a tic-tac-toe game and many others culled from stores nationwide that sell beads and beading supplies.

The book’s doorway dangles project will add sparkle and intrigue to any interior. Directions call for a using a Beadspinner tool that makes stringing long strands of beads quick and easy. Find out more about the Beadspinner by visiting www.beadspinnerlady.com.

Another of the many interesting designs in the book is a bead-and-button stretchy bracelet from the Beadclub shop in Woodinville, Wash.

Maine is represented in the book by the Bohemian Breeze Lantern design by Dara Spiotto of The Beadin’ Path store in Freeport, owned by the mother-daughter team of Jan Parker and Heather De Simone.

Projects in “Beader’s Stash” range in complexity from the easy to the involved, but throughout the book readers will find tips and diagrams to aid in the beading process. Hints also are given on ways to store beads.

A Beading Basics section illustrates and defines the many types of beads from vintage Bakelite to semiprecious stones. That section also covers working with wire, beading needles, tools, stringing materials and jewelry findings.

The book will inspire both beginning and expert beaders.

Both books, published by Interweave Press, are loaded with photographs and illustrations sure to put anyone in a beading mood.

Call local bookstores or libraries to find out more about these books.

Snippets

Because students who attended the Bangor Area Sewing Guild’s first Serger class requested it, the guild will conduct a second Serger sewing class for beginners 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Hampden Municipal Building. Instruction will focus on sewing with knits, including ribbing, elastic waistbands and hems. The cost is $10 for guild members, $15 others. To register or for information, call Kathy at 941-8815.

The Lion Brand Yarn Co. reports that the top five categories of patterns sought at its Web site are afghans and throws, purses and bags, ponchos, baby blankets and baby clothing. Among the top 10 patterns downloaded are the Martha Stewart “Coming Home” poncho at No. 3, two-needle booties at No. 7 and the prayer shawl at No. 5. For information, visit www.LionBrand.com.

The Prayer Shawl Knitting Ministry in Castine, established a year and a half ago, recently completed its 205th shawl, reports group member Carolyn Ulrich.

Call Ardeana Hamlin at 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@

bangordailynews.net.