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Last updated: 25 MAR 2004
Comprehensive Bead Stringing--Tape 1 History and Introduction, Planning and Design, Workspace and Tools, and Layout
Video, 79 mins.
© 1992 The Bello Group - Rio Grande
www.riogrande.com
A Video Review by Mary TimmeWhen I first got this series of three videos to review, I was going to do all of them in one fell swoop. Well, the plans, well laid or not, often go astray. Each of these videos deserves it's own review. They are that chock full of good stuff.
The first tape begins by showing a young woman, who has just learned about beading, walking into a bead store with a few questions. What follows is a short history lesson with examples. According to this video, bead beginnings go back to the dark, murky days of prehistoric man. Naturally found Lapis was considered a fortune telling stone, while carnelian has always been associated with blood, and jade was used as a kidney cure all. There are many more factoids given during the first half of the video and it is presented in a not-too-stilted a manner. This includes the common knowledge of how valuable beads were considered to traders. In 1460 AD, Venetian law made it a criminal activity for bead makers to reveal any secrets. Wow! Teaching around the table wouldn't be allowed back then!
The second part of this first video concerns itself with stringing material. Some of the materials we use nowadays weren't available when this video was made in 1992. What they've done is to separate string materials into four categories: "Silk," "Nylon or Synthetic," "Tiger Tail," and "Fox Tail." A discussion of Bead Size, Weight, Hole Size, and Length of Piece is included. After this is covered, the video moves onto Findings, Clasps, Workspace, Tools, Glues, and Lengths of Bracelets (with inch and millimeter sizes). Drafting a Template is covered along with what a workspace conducive to good work habits entails. It even gives a little demonstration about the proper way to open a jump ring. I can't tell you the number of times I've been tempted to do it the wrong way.
Comprehensive Bead Stringing--Tape 2
Tying on Clasps and Finishing, Knotting, and Multiple Strand
Video, 82 mins.
© 1992 The Bello Group - Rio Grande
www.riogrande.com
A Video Review by Mary TimmeThis video does a comprehensive overview of Finishing Techniques and Knotting. I learned a lot, which isn't saying a whole bunch, because I'm pretty ignorant of stringing techniques.
The video begins with using an overhand knot at the ends of an over-the-head necklace. This technique involves using 3 to 4 beads strung at the beginning of the necklace and going back through with knots to secure and hide the string. A discussion of glues versus fingernail polish to hold a knot is quite thorough. I didn't know for example that fingernail polish could crystallize and destroy silk thread. I'm not clear if that is a problem with synthetic threads. But, since most people have hypo cement, it should be a moot point. From now on I use only hypo cement.
French coils are the next subjects and French coils are used for durability and safety when stringing semi-precious or precious stones or natural gems, i.e., pearls. I found this fascinating and one of the areas to do with stringing that I'd not appreciated enough. The video also covers the use of tips and cups with synthetic threads. A butcher's knot, what it is and when it is used, is also covered. Then it proceeds to crimps and the use of Foxtail Wire.
The video moves on to where I found I have knotting envy. To me it seems I never get my knots exactly where I want them. They make it look so easy. A knot after every gem or random knotting for semi-precious gems is discussed.
Planning and design techniques are covered next, along with bead caps of different types and how to use them. Measuring and math are included in the design techniques. Along with the bead caps are bead cones and multiple strand clasps, which are explained thoroughly. Suddenly we've reached the end of the tape. I hope that gives of quick overview of a quite thorough and comprehensive stringing of beads tape. If someone who is intimated with this sort of bead manipulation can get that much out of a stringing tape, well, I think someone who knows a little could get a great deal more out of it.
This tape is in your Rocky Mountain Bead Society library very soon.
Comprehensive Bead Stringing--Tape 3
Continuous multiple strand, additions, woven bracelet project, and Conclusion
Video, 87 mins.
© 1992 The Bello Group - Rio Grande
www.riogrande.com
A Video Review by Mary TimmeBeginning with Tape 3, we start getting down to viewing the stringing techniques and little things that make that stringing noteworthy and professional. This video begins with the Continuous Multiple Strand Necklace that goes over-the-head with a single strand in back. This really surprised me in its complexity. Again, who knew it was this complicated. I have a whole new appreciation for those people who work in this arena. Hiding the cables used for stringing, whether in bead caps or other methods, involves a little math and a lot of decision making. I was glad to see that it was explained fully and clearly for a beginner like me. I'd never realized there were so many ways of hiding knots when doing stringing or hiding the crimps when using this method of beadwork.
Also in this video is a recommendation for having wire cutters for specific jobs. Use and label one wire cutter for string and French coils and another for wire that is harder and more abrasive to the cutter. Explanations and demonstrations for using combinations of beads--where, when and why--as well as making bails and hangers for 'focus' beads were well covered. Using head pins for various attachments of beads or making bails was covered, as was making eye pins and what wrap tights are and how to use them.
The largest segment to this video is making a bracelet with elongated and tapered beads with ball beads in-between and to the top and bottom of the elongated beads. Loads of good information here. I'd think that even a total novice would be willing to tackle a project after watching this video. It was very clear, most of the camera work was good and only once or twice did I think, Wish I'd seen that better. I found I took pages of notes while watching these videos and drew lots of beading and wire/thread path diagrams. Excellent videos, all three of them in the series. This tape is in your Rocky Mountain Bead Society library.
Bead Crochet
Video, 76 mins.
© Victorian Video Productions with Carol Perrenoud
www.victorianvid.com
or Yarn Barn Victorian Video, 930 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS 66044 (800) 848-0284
A Video Review by Mary TimmeThe history of crochet is rather scrambled in the mists of time. At one point it was called Sheppard's knitting. In Europe it was called tambour and was preformed with many fine hooked needles through fabric; sometimes being called oriental embroidery. As time went on and people used needles without fabric this was called crocheting in air. There are more historical facts on the tape, which are pretty interesting to know about.
Sizing of needles and thread varies by country, as do some of the terms used in crochet. This is important to know if you are using a book printed in another country and not revised for U. S. work. Carol also recommends using the thread method of transfer--where you transfer from a hank of beads already on the thread onto the thread you are using for crochet. She begins by using the chain stitch which in some areas is called the slip stitch. At this point she tells you about tying together worked ends with a slip stitch and using the tapestry needle for tying the ends of a rope together.
There are several types of projects on this tape so you can become familiar with the sorts of stitches used. The first is a rope necklace with beaded tassels on the end. This is done in mostly slip stitch and is a very easy first project. Carol has suggestions for putting light weight wire into the rope for more body, how to correct mistakes, how to tie on threads, etc.
Continuing onto single crochet with and without beads, Carol has a bag project to improve your skills. Then you can't have a bag without a lining, so she explains how to do the lining and put it into the bag. It becomes more complicated at this point as she adds half double crochet and reading graphs for proper bead placement as you string on the beads.
Treble crochet and circular increases are some of the techniques also covered. There is a section on trouble shooting, finishing, making tassels, and suggestions to experiment. This tape is chock full of all kinds of interesting facts and helps your need-to-know for this fascinating technique. Now, if I could just find someone to string all of those beads for me . . .
Bead Knitting
A Video Review by Mary Timme
Video, 79 mins.
© Victorian Video Productions with Alice Korach
www.victorianvid.com
or Yarn Barn Victorian Video, 930 Massachusetts, Lawrence, KS 66044 (800) 848-0284There is a print out for this video with the projects graphed and materials listed to complete the knitting.
The explanation/demonstration I liked best was the difference between Continental Knitting and the British/American knitting methods. Then Alice goes on to explain and show what she calls Eastern knitting, since this involves a different direction of twisting the yarn, and it becomes important for her use of what she calls Plaited Knitting. Alice uses her Plaited knitting for a straight edge and straight design on her finished piece, where many of the older bags have a bias edge. She also uses double-pointed needles for knitting in the round as circular needles are not usually small enough.
Alice Korach, who is the founding editor of Bead and Button magazine, must be a very patient person as she counts her charts--after showing you how to do it--and then counts her beads a second time. She has several hints to offer in stinging beads, correcting errors, and using small squares of paper to designate the beginning/ending of rows. She also has helps for holding the tension when changing needles and switching needles at the ending and beginning of rows. It is cute when she says, "Do the next X number of inches and I'll see you in a couple of weeks."
In the video, Alice shows almost anything I can think of that you'd need to know to successfully finish the project. She shows casting off over the bead, weaving in tails, putting a lining in the bag, blind hem and knitting at the top edge with a picot edging, then the final edging of adding beads onto the aleady sewn edges of the knitting. Once again, does anyone want to put beads on the silk crochet string for me?
Beaded Wire Flowers
A Lesson by Ruthe Kanakoff A Video Review by Mary Timme
If you like harpsichord music, you'll enjoy the beginning of this video. At the beginning, there is a tool list and a supply list, as well as information on how to use these items. Ruthe shows how she handles the wire so it doesn't escape into a tangled mess along with the importance of straightening the wire. She uses alligator clips and hair clips (long and short) for holding the wire at certain points.
For me the most irritating aspect of this video was the camera work at the beginning. Many times the instructor would say, "You can see we take the wire like this . . ." and as a viewer all I could see were her thumbs or fingers. They did a better job of shooting the video toward the end, so many times I could extrapolate what had gone on before, or was likely to have gone on before. I just couldn't see it at the time.
The directions were very thorough for each step of the process, starting with the making the leaves with a point. It appears that keeping the tension even and tight is a big technique for making beaded flowers and leaves.
After making the leaves, Ruthe demonstrated making the petals, making stamens of different types, putting the stamens into the flowers, and assembling all the components. She discussed wire fatigue and putting the stems onto the leaves and petals.
The quality of the video picture quality wasn't the very best, but passable. There was a lot of information in the video that would be useful for those who want a tutorial on this technique.
Fine Silver Made Fun
An Introduction to Precious Metal Clay
By Nana V. Mizushima
From www.Tonnbodesign.com
A Book Review by Mary Timme
This is sort of a pre-book review as this book isn't out yet, but we were able to see some of the projects and get a good look at the tips. Because I know nothing of Precious Metal Clay (PMC), I learned a lot in looking over this book. The section about TIPS was especially good. It showed how to use a 'hot pot', quick tip on drying PMC, how to keep it moist, how to burnish the PMC and why that is necessary, how to make PMC slip, and what a PMC 'sheet' is and how to work with it. The projects seemed simple enough and interesting to do. I'd want to see more, but when this book comes out it looks like it would be a good investment for those who are interested in PMC.
Colorworks
The crafter's guide to color
By Deb Menz
© Interweave Press, April 2004, $24.95
www.interweave.com
A Book Review by Mary Timme
Every now and then you find a book you absolutely love! This is one of those times. Personally, I'm taking a Color and Design class and color is one of my favorite subjects. So many times when you study color it becomes a morass of terms. The worst part is that not everyone uses the same terms for everything. I hate when that happens. In this book I found the technical terms were at a minimum and I could breathe a sigh of relief. At the same time, every aspect was covered from yarn and fiber, to threads, to beads, to paper, and different techniques of working with each. Talk about comprehensive. The largest section that really delves into value is invaluable. The book is written with the lay person in mind and I found thinking of value in Major Keys and Minor Keys a wonderful tool. Also included at the back of a book are lots of your very own tools to use that include a color star with blackout pages showing Split Compliments of every kind as well as Triads, 2 types of Tetrads, and a Hexad.
What I've described above is only part of the book. There are color photos with 9 to 12 squares displaying the difference in each hue family. There is also a section where the discussion is how different media (fiber for spinning, fiber for weaving and fabrics already woven, beads and paper) affect the color in the finished product. It is a GOOD book.
Bead Crochet
By Bethany Barry
© Interweave Press, April 2004, $21.95
www.interweave.com
A Book Review by Mary TimmeBead crochet is popular and for good reasons. Many items that are bead crocheted are lovely pieces that have a "hand" that is wonderful. "Hand" refers to the texture and drape or feel of the piece as you use it. Bead crochet gets rid of the stiffness of peyote, or Ndebelle, or square stitch. The items are great to wear and to look at.
Interweave Press has brought out a book that is one of the books in their how-to series that speaks to a need in the bead world, that of Bead crochet. The illustrations are in color which helps show where the thread is coming and going. Basic crochet stitches are written and illustrated. There is a history that covers most of the more recent history as well as the reason that history exits. Lots of illustrations and photos are included. Bethany Berry says, "Crochet is an extremely forgiving stitch and . . . crochet mistakes are easy to pull out and redo, or hide." Now, that is a great recommendation. The other really great recommendation is the number of projects you find in the book. It goes from earrings to brooches, to boxes, to classic or not classic ropes and bracelets to purses. Plenty of beads to put on the string/yarn and you are a happy camper, er, beader.