Kristal Wick's Pick

One of the best parts about the Handcrafted Jewelry 2010 special issue, besides 25 really great mixed media projects, is the article 7 Easy Ways to Alter Metal. Metal magic experts, Brenda Sue Lansdowne, Jess Italia Lincoln, Gil Crosman Moore, Silvija & Taya Koschnick, and Beth Botak give great directions for using spray paint, gilder’s paste, embossing powder (to name a few) to completely change the look of different metals.

These techniques could keep you entertained for a really long time and I can’t wait to try them all.

Marlene Blessing's Pick

Melinda Barta’s two Beadwork technique DVDs, Herringbone Stitch—Basics and Beyond and Peyote Stitch—Basics and Beyond are the answer to my seed-bead prayers. Melinda shows stitch-by-stitch how to bead through all of the variations on these two popular stitches, taking the mystery out of building, shaping, and embellishing with seed beads.

And just in case you’re like me and need repeats and refreshers, her DVDs are a foolproof way to master the many faces of Herringbone and Peyote stitches.

Jean Campbell's Pick

Rachel Nelson-Smith is not only one of the most talented artists and teachers out there today, she's also written one of the best beading books. Seed Bead Fusion features some of her signature pieces like the Ooetheca Cuff. It also has several projects, like the Wire Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Chrysalis Beaded Bead, that combine beads and wire--one of my favorite combinations!

I'd highly recommend this book for not only the clever projects, but for the dozens and dozens of how-to photos that are a great backup to the very clear illustrations.