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Maggie Meister's Classical Elegance: 20 Beaded Jewelry Designs
This entry inÌýLark Jewelry & Beading'sÌýbestselling Beadweaving Master Class series showcases the amazing work of renowned beader and teacher Maggie Meister. Drawing on patterns and motifs as diverse as classical Roman arts, Middle Eastern textiles, and European architecture,ÌýMaggie hasÌýcreated 20 exquisite projects forÌýbeaders to make that incorporate a variety of stitches.ÌýHer magnificent pieces include wonderfully creative earrings, necklaces, and cuffs, among them a Matriarch's Cuff, which builds on the design of a 17th century Jewish wedding ring; a Sappho Necklace that incorporates designs from ancient mosaics; and a Santa Sofia Pendant that borrows shapes from the onion-dome church steeples found throughout Europe.ÌýThe book includes a gallery of the artist's work.ÌýMaggie Meister was a featured artist in the book Beadweaving . Other books in the Beadweaving Master Class series have been authored by Diane Fitzgerald, Marcia DeCoster, Laura McCabe, Sherry Serafini, and Rachel Nelson-Smith.
127 pages, Hardcover
First published August 2, 2011
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July 29, 2011 was also sent to me from Lark Crafts/Sterling Publishing for free. Again, there is a comprehensive table of contents and an index as well as a very small bibliography. The gallery at the end shows several pages of amazing necklaces, which look more like museum pieces than jewelry. When I looked at some of them, I thought they might be historical reproductions, but I don't see anything that says one way or another.
The first part of the book goes over basic tools and stitches. The author talks a bit about the pros and cons of different clasps, the Great Thread Wars, and different types of ear wires and posts. I like it that she injects a bit of humor into what can be a boring, rote section. Stitches, both in the beginning and in the projects include a lot of diagrams so the maker can clearly see the author's method of creating. The stitches section would be good for quiltmakers who are embellishing their quilts.
I like it that Ms. Meister talks about her inspiration, which, in part, comes from ancient pieces. Each project has a brief description of something historical that influenced the piece. The inspiration could be common practices at the time, marriage jewelry, and torques worn in ancient Ireland. I would have liked to have seen some footnotes for these comments.
I think most of the projects in the book walk the fine line between lush and over-the-top very well.
Chapter 5, starting on page 96, is called Architectural elements as Inspiration. The facing page (pg.97) has photos of chimneys, title, a Russian (or maybe Greek?) Orthodox church and other architectural elements that can serve as inspiration for any kind of creativity.
Check this book out and see how different things in the world around you can inspire your creative work.
The first part of the book goes over basic tools and stitches. The author talks a bit about the pros and cons of different clasps, the Great Thread Wars, and different types of ear wires and posts. I like it that she injects a bit of humor into what can be a boring, rote section. Stitches, both in the beginning and in the projects include a lot of diagrams so the maker can clearly see the author's method of creating. The stitches section would be good for quiltmakers who are embellishing their quilts.
I like it that Ms. Meister talks about her inspiration, which, in part, comes from ancient pieces. Each project has a brief description of something historical that influenced the piece. The inspiration could be common practices at the time, marriage jewelry, and torques worn in ancient Ireland. I would have liked to have seen some footnotes for these comments.
I think most of the projects in the book walk the fine line between lush and over-the-top very well.
Chapter 5, starting on page 96, is called Architectural elements as Inspiration. The facing page (pg.97) has photos of chimneys, title, a Russian (or maybe Greek?) Orthodox church and other architectural elements that can serve as inspiration for any kind of creativity.
Check this book out and see how different things in the world around you can inspire your creative work.
March 16, 2012
First let me start out by saying that this book is one of a series of best sellers books from Lark Jewelry & Beading call the Beadweaving Master Class. Every book in the series is aimed at the Intermediate Beader and filled with glorious color photography and easy to follow step by step tutorials.
With one foot in beading and the other discovering ancient civilizations and antiquities, Maggie Meister is the natural choice to author a book entitled "Classical Elegance".
We have established that this is an Intermediate series, in this case it is important that you are comfortable working with the "Basic" weaves. Maggie's style is based on a technique of combining weaves so if you don't have a command of the basics you can take advantage of the "refresher" chapters. Included at the beginning of the book is an Intro to "The Basics".
In "The Stitches" she runs the stitches you will need for the projects in this book...they are:
Ladder Stitch
Brick Stitch
Square Stitch
Herringbone Stitch
Right Angle Weave
Peyote Stitch (in multiple variations)
Backstitch
Nepal Chain
St. Petersburg Chain
...and then she moves into the technique for "Combining Stitches".
The projects are organized by influence - with a chapter of pieces that were influenced by mosaics, one by textile patterns and one of my favorites is the chapter of architectural influences.
"As far back as I can remember I’ve loved ancient history. Maybe it started when my parents would take us to museums when we were young. I don’t know, but the interest has always been there, and when we lived in Italy it really came alive for me. It opened doors for me while learning the history."From an interview with Maggie Meister"
The beautifully written intros to each chapter are fabulous bits of historical fact interspersed with personal experience, and the project descriptions are every bit as inspiring.
Lark's Blog offered a couple projects in .pdf in their introduction for this book along with two projects that got cut.
This book is a winner and brilliant addition to the Beadweaving Master Class series which includes:
Sherry Serafini's Sensational Bead Embroidery
Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving
Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence
Diane Fitzgerald's Shaped Beadwork
and Rachel Nelson-Smith's Bead Riffs
Luscious photography, easy to follow instructions, well drawn diagrams and projects that you really want to do! ...and Maggie Meister is the ideal instructor.
Disclaimer: a review copy of this book was provided free of charge by the publisher.
With one foot in beading and the other discovering ancient civilizations and antiquities, Maggie Meister is the natural choice to author a book entitled "Classical Elegance".
We have established that this is an Intermediate series, in this case it is important that you are comfortable working with the "Basic" weaves. Maggie's style is based on a technique of combining weaves so if you don't have a command of the basics you can take advantage of the "refresher" chapters. Included at the beginning of the book is an Intro to "The Basics".
In "The Stitches" she runs the stitches you will need for the projects in this book...they are:
Ladder Stitch
Brick Stitch
Square Stitch
Herringbone Stitch
Right Angle Weave
Peyote Stitch (in multiple variations)
Backstitch
Nepal Chain
St. Petersburg Chain
...and then she moves into the technique for "Combining Stitches".
The projects are organized by influence - with a chapter of pieces that were influenced by mosaics, one by textile patterns and one of my favorites is the chapter of architectural influences.
"As far back as I can remember I’ve loved ancient history. Maybe it started when my parents would take us to museums when we were young. I don’t know, but the interest has always been there, and when we lived in Italy it really came alive for me. It opened doors for me while learning the history."From an interview with Maggie Meister"
The beautifully written intros to each chapter are fabulous bits of historical fact interspersed with personal experience, and the project descriptions are every bit as inspiring.
Lark's Blog offered a couple projects in .pdf in their introduction for this book along with two projects that got cut.
This book is a winner and brilliant addition to the Beadweaving Master Class series which includes:
Sherry Serafini's Sensational Bead Embroidery
Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving
Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence
Diane Fitzgerald's Shaped Beadwork
and Rachel Nelson-Smith's Bead Riffs
Luscious photography, easy to follow instructions, well drawn diagrams and projects that you really want to do! ...and Maggie Meister is the ideal instructor.
Disclaimer: a review copy of this book was provided free of charge by the publisher.
August 10, 2016
content
As with almost the books with pearls instructions in the first chapter
different beads, thread, findings and tools would presented.
There follows a detailed, well-illustrated introduction to the
different stitches. Even without much knowledge of English
each project can be beaded,based on the drawings .
Plus there is an extra point for the explanation of how to change between
the different stitches.For example from brick Stitch to peyote -again with
good drawings.
The projects are primarily in peyote, brick stitch and RAW
threaded. For each project there is a material list and a
illustrated detailed instruction.
There are projects for beginners to advanced, however, I more like
the projects for advanced.
The jewelry on the photos are mostly held in neutral colors
so they look very noble and not to gaudy.
There are instructions for earrings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches and
pendants.
At the end, there is a photo gallery.
However, these jewelry pieces are not suitable for everyday use and look
like they were made for a historical film.
My Conclusion
+ With rudimentary English skills are also most of the project
well according to thread
+ All the materials used are good to aquire
+ Transitions between different stitches are well explained
+ Many drawings to understand the single steps
+ There is something for every taste: from everyday use to
striking or festive
- There is nothing really negativ
I would buy this book again.
As with almost the books with pearls instructions in the first chapter
different beads, thread, findings and tools would presented.
There follows a detailed, well-illustrated introduction to the
different stitches. Even without much knowledge of English
each project can be beaded,based on the drawings .
Plus there is an extra point for the explanation of how to change between
the different stitches.For example from brick Stitch to peyote -again with
good drawings.
The projects are primarily in peyote, brick stitch and RAW
threaded. For each project there is a material list and a
illustrated detailed instruction.
There are projects for beginners to advanced, however, I more like
the projects for advanced.
The jewelry on the photos are mostly held in neutral colors
so they look very noble and not to gaudy.
There are instructions for earrings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches and
pendants.
At the end, there is a photo gallery.
However, these jewelry pieces are not suitable for everyday use and look
like they were made for a historical film.
My Conclusion
+ With rudimentary English skills are also most of the project
well according to thread
+ All the materials used are good to aquire
+ Transitions between different stitches are well explained
+ Many drawings to understand the single steps
+ There is something for every taste: from everyday use to
striking or festive
- There is nothing really negativ
I would buy this book again.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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