Book review: Quick & Easy Stitched Jewelry

Three years ago, I reviewed Cathy Jakicic's book, Jewelry Projects from a Beading Insider.  That link takes you to my review, which includes how to pronounce her last name.  :)  When Cathy approached me about reviewing her newest book, Quick & Easy Stitched Jewelry, I jumped at the chance.  The projects in her last book were so cute and versatile, and I couldn't wait to see her new book!

Here's the cover:

Ooh!  Just these few projects are so cute, and I can already imagine experimenting with the components.

Here is how Cathy described her book:

In a nut shell, there are 20+ bite-sized stitching projects of components that can be worked into simple — or more involved — jewelry.  Also, I’m making all the projects and instructions copyright free so someone can sell what they make or teach a project with my blessing.

The audience includes stitching novices, more advanced stitchers looking for a quick project idea — or something they can sell at a lower price point because it didn’t take them an age to make.

Wait... what did she say about selling?  Everyone knows that selling pieces made from another designer is verboten, but Cathy is giving you carte blanche on everything in this book.  You can tell how impressed I am because I sprinkled German and French in that last sentence.  Das ist wunderbar!  C'est magnifique!  That's wonderful!

Why would Cathy do this?  Again I turn to her words, this time from the book's introduction:

And while I would never support teaching or selling someone else's designs without their permission - everything in this book is yours.  I don't sell my jewelry or teach very often, so you're not threatening my livelihood.  These designs were designed for sharing.  Enjoy!

There's even a royalty-free statement on the copyright page.  Personally, I would still tell people where I got the ideas from if asked.  Give credit where credit is due and all that.

Now let's talk about the projects!  Each one has loads of possibilities.  Just those on the cover spark a bunch of ideas in my mind.

The top picture shows a snippet of a necklace, but that could easily be a bracelet.  The project's instructions explain how to make the beaded bead using pinch beads (Can you say "pinch bead beaded bead" ten times fast?) then how to create a chain necklace with bi-colored beaded beads as dangles along with matching earrings.  There's also a discussion of color choices and instructions on how to make the necklace shown on the cover.

What would I do with those beaded beads?  The first thing that pops to mind is a long chain necklace interspersed every few inches with sections of crystals and beaded beads on headpins with loops on either end.  I'd probably make two or three of those necklaces in different lengths and probably with different colors of beaded beads so they could be worn separately or together for a more dramatic look.

The other pictures on the cover show three different stitches.  The earrings are brick stitch over metal rings, and the instructions show a necklace and a bracelet as well as the earrings.  The bracelet has a number of square stitch components in different colors, and the instructions have charts for the different color combinations as well as charts for another multi-colored square stitch project.  The pendant is a peyote banner, and there's a chart for flower/vine placement as well as a chart for a thin banner that looks really cute in triplicate on a simple chain necklace.

As I'm sure you've figured out by now, every project has at least one variation, with many of them having two or more.  Here is an excerpt of the book Cathy said I could share:

The page on the left is the variation for "Circular logic," a cute project using two-holed beads.  I love how the end components have two thin chains coming off of them!  I'm definitely going to keep that in mind!  The page on the right is the beginning of the next project using peyote tubes as dangles on a chain necklace.  The variations for this project are a bracelet with lots of multi-colored dangles and simple pair of earrings..

If you're a beginner stitcher, this book is perfect for sampling a large number of different stitches and techniques.  Along with the ones I've already listed, there's right angle weave, cubic right angle weave, simple bead embroidery, adding stitching to a strung piece or around a larger bead, herringbone, adding fringe, working with two-holed beads, mixing chain and/or metal with beads, and more.  Wow - I nearly got out of breath there!

When you're learning a stitch or technique, it can be daunting to look at a full bracelet or necklace with nothing but that technique.  What if I don't get it?  What if I get halfway through and hate the stitch or the colors I chose?  What if I lay it down and don't pick it up again for months - will I remember how to finish it?  There's none of that in Cathy's book.  As it says right on the cover, these projects are quick and easy.  They're meant to ease you in so you learn something new, complete it in a flash, and have confidence to experiment.

For example, many people have told me that they're scared to try right angle weave (RAW).  The "Bicone Bands" project simplifies RAW - you make a strip, which is the simplest RAW to do.  There are charts to help you along the way.  Once the strip is done, you join the ends to form a little band (made with bicones, hence "Bicone Bands"), and slide them over large dagger beads.  You could do just two to get your feet wet and make earrings (see the variation!), or you could make the necklace as shown.  Then, once you're comfortable, you could take on a more complex RAW project like the "Dagger Snuggie" necklace variation:

There are charts for this as well, with numbered beads, helpful arrows, thread paths, and changes in color so you know which beads you've already worked with and which ones are new to this step.

The charts really are very nice.  They're a lot larger than you typically see in books, and they're very easy to read.  You don't have to take just my word for it, though.  My friend Angela, who is relatively new to beading, was over a week or so ago, and she wanted to look through my vast array of books for inspiration.  I chose a few that I thought were appropriate for her level, including Quick & Easy Stitched Jewelry.  I had an ulterior motive, of course, and asked her to give me her thoughts.  She really liked the projects, but right away she remarked that the charts were great and would be easy for her to follow.  Thanks, Angela!

Also, because Cathy's a Beading Insider, there are tips sprinkled throughout the book.  A few tips are on how to get "solid and stiff" beaded beads and components.  Another is on how to turn a component into a link.  A few are about choosing thread colors and when you might want to condition your thread.  A few of them are geared towards helping beginners make sense of what they're doing. And ...

I could go on and on because the more I flip through the book the more I find to write about.  Just know that there's lots more in the book for you to discover and enjoy.  You can find the book in beading or craft stores, or you can order from Amazon here.

If you'd like to keep up with Cathy, check out her BeadingInsider Facebook page.  If you're reading this from 7/29/2016 through 8/5/2016, you can see Cathy's Beads Baubles & Jewels episode (#2403) online here, and this season of BB&J will air on CREATE TV starting August 7, 2016.

Have I forgotten anything?  YES!!  Goodness, there's a lot to tell you!  The August 2016 issue of Bead&Button Magazine has a book excerpt!  They have printed the full instructions for the pinch bead beaded bead main project, "Beader's Dozen"!  You can see if what I said about the charts was true, learn how to make the beaded beads, and complete the chain necklace and earrings.  They've even included the tip on how to make your beaded beads stiff.  So check it out then get the book for all the rest of the projects!

 

LBS Brick Stitch program (finally!)

You know all that preparation I've been doing for the Loose Bead Society brick stitch program?  Tonight was the night!  If that doesn't sound familiar, you can catch up here, here, and here.

For the LBSers who asked about my bracelet, click here for the instructions I told you about.

The program started out a bit shaky with me in front of a very crowded room trying to quickly and succinctly explain how to do brick stitch without them having much context.  There were a lot of confused faces looking at me, which made me stammer around a bit more.  Eventually I cut them loose to start working, and I walked around helping out and answering questions.  I also walked my brick stitch bracelet around so they could see how repeating the motif could make a bracelet.

I got many wonderful compliments from folks, and that meant a lot to me.  I worked very hard on this design and the instructions, and a number of people helped by choosing colors, making kits, being table captains, and more.  I'm very glad this went so well.  Yeah, a number of people had problems "getting it", but not everyone stitches.  Of the people I talked to, even those who had problems did eventually understand it enough to finish the project.  At least that's what it seemed to me.

I only took a few pictures.  Carol took some pictures of me because I foolishly asked her to so I could put one in my blog, and she e-mailed them as soon as she got home.  Isn't she great?  Thanks, Carol!

Here are a few women who I specifically asked if I could put them in my blog:

That's an action shot.  It looks like she's really fast, doesn't it?

They're smiling, so they must be doing well!

Something I found interesting was that a few people made some variations while they were learning the stitch.  One person left out the Rizos (the bumpy beads in the middle), and a few people attached the bottom of the stitched part to the frame instead of letting it dangle.  One of the bottom-attachers (that sounds naughty, but it really isn't), added some embellishment around the attachment:

The picture isn't as clear as I'd like it to be, but you get the idea.  I didn't catch her name, so if anyone knows, please e-mail me at traci@creative-pursuits.biz, and I'll add her name here.

I really hope everyone enjoyed themselves.  I did!

Here's a happy Traci:

Brick stitch bracelet

Anyone who has read this blog at all in the last few months will remember that I'm leading the hands-on program for the Loose Bead Society.  That's coming up in just a few weeks, and I'm busy writing the instructions and drawing charts.

Remember the early sample using the blue beads and the small drop beads?  I showed the first earring here and the second one here.  Here they are together, as they should be:

While the kits will contain Rizos instead of the drop beads, I really liked how these colors look together.  It's mostly blue, but there's a bit of purple thrown in.

I also like how easy brick stitch is for increasing and decreasing, so I wanted to see if repeating the motif would look good in a bracelet:

Yes!  It's cute!  It would need some adjusting at the ends for length.  The one shown is a little too small for me, but if I added a few small "diamonds" to each end - a row of 3, a row of 2, a row of 3, a row of 2 - that would increase the length and still keep the look of the rest of the bracelet.  The best part about that is that you don't have to figure it out ahead of time.  The ends can be adjusted after the bulk of the bracelet is done.

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Official brick stitch earring samples

This is going back to the hands-on program I'm running for the Loose Bead Society at our March program.  I've talked about it here, here, and here if you've missed it.

The beads for the kits have come in, and I made two samples for pictures - purple (because it's me) and green (because St. Patrick's Day is coming up):

While they're pretty, I wish there was more of a contrast in the middle section between the 8/0s and the Rizos.  When we picked out the colors, we scrutinized and scrutinized and discussed matte vs. translucent and dark vs. light, and we thought we came up with good choices.  I know I've discussed this here before about how difficult it is to choose colors in general and online.  You think things are going to look one way, then you start stitching with them, and it looks different than what you had planned.

Here are piles of the greens that are in the middle section:

The Rizos are a lot lighter "on paper" (literally in this case), but when stitched they blend into the much darker 8/0s.  Don't get me wrong, the end result is very pretty, but it's not the contrast I wanted.

The pictures don't really do the earrings justice - there is a lot of texture and movement, and I hope folks will be happy with them.

Up next - I write the instructions, the kits are made, we have table captain training, and then the program!  Lots to do!

Before I go, I'd like to show you what Steve brought home last night:

These are the Bead&Button Show 2014 "Purple Lupine Ottoman" commemorative beads made by Amy Waldman-Smith!  Since he works in the building, he was able to purchase them and bring them home.  He's so sweet!  I told him I wanted one, but he brought two home.  I think I'm going to make a necklace and a bracelet.  I absolutely love these - not just because they're purple (but that is a contributing factor, of course), but because of the clean lines and raised dots.  I can't wait to work with them!

If you'd like to order your own, click here, but don't delay, because these will sell out fast!

Last brick stitch for a while... I promise!

You may recall my other forays into brick stitch.  If not (or if you're new here - welcome!), click here and here.  The second post is more pertinent to today's topic than the first one.  To recap, I'm going to teach a brick stitch project to the Loose Bead Society of Greater Milwaukee at the March program, and I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to teach.  I want something a little different than I've seen online, and I want to teach increases and decreases.

I got some supplies from Fire Mountain Gems and Knot Just Beads and finally was able to sit down with them last night.  I determined that the beaded bead idea will not work.  With increases and decreases it looked too odd and was getting to be too complicated and time-consuming.  So I simplified my original plan and stitched up two different colors with two different "bumpy" beads in the middle:

The stitched bit is attached at the top corner only so it will swing during wear.

I made a sample using 4 different kinds of "bumpy" beads - large (possibly Japanese) drop beads, Rizos, long Magatamas, and fringe (drop) beads:

While they're all neat, I like the Rizos (the 2nd row) best.  The Magatamas (3rd row) are look all cool and spiky, but you have to pay attention to which way you pick them up or they won't all lay the right way.  In that sample I had to take out two of the beads and turn them around.  That's not something I want to try explaining in a tutorial.

So, what do you think?  Do the earrings look like something you'd like to try?  Leave me a comment, especially if you're an LBS member.  I'd like the feedback!  Once I get final approval from the ones in charge, we'll start choosing colors and making kits.

Brick stitch beaded beads

I've been doing really well at keeping up with my "resolution" to create or work on something creative every day.  Many days it's been knitting, but I have already done quite a number of little projects!  I'm getting into the groove of making something during the day/evening/late night and posting about it the next day.  I think that's going to work well for me.  If you're ever curious about what I've been working on, scroll down to the "labels" section over there on the right and click on "2014 projects" link.

I got a really nice comment on yesterday's post about the steel wire squares from my friend Michelle:

Those are great Traci. Of course, I'm going to comment on this because wire is dear to my heart, as you know. First, if you'd like me to harden and polish your squares in my new TUMBLER, just let me know. Next, the ''plastic box'' idea is great. Another couple of ideas would be, a jig, a bench block and square Wubber pliers. Lastly, I hope you forgive me for volunteering you to teach this project. lol

Ooh - a tumbler!  I think I would like these squares hardened and polished.  I'll bring those with me the next time I come over, Michelle!

She's right; a jig (like this one our friend Brenda designed), a bench block, or square Wubbers would have made the process easier.  If I were to do more with steel wire, I'd invest in those things, but I've found I'm happier with a needle, Fireline, and itty bitty beads.

She's also right that she's the one who volunteered me to teach the hands-on project at LBS in March.  I won't know if I forgive her or not until after the program is done.  It'll depend on how well the project goes.  :)

Speaking of that project, I have a few more brick stitch things to show you.  I was playing around with increases and decreases and different sized beads, and I came up with a quasi-beaded bead.  I stitched it to one of the steel frames, and I think it looks pretty cute.

Here's the front:

And here's the back:

It's not closed all the way.  It reminds me of those cookies that are folded over in the middle and have fruit peeking out at the top and bottom.

After this I played around with a slightly wider version and made an actual beaded bead:

This one has four of the gray drops instead of three.  It's too tight to go on a headpin, and beading wire barely goes through the end, so I'm going to make a slightly bigger one that should be more versatile.

Now I have to go back to writing my Quadrille tutorial.  I only have 2 days until the class!

Brick stitch pendant

I made this pendant while playing with brick stitch.  I'm going to lead a hands-on project for the Loose Bead Society in March, and I'm in the beginning stages of planning the project.  I would like to do something different than what I've seen online.

What I did last night while I couldn't sleep was a pendant using brick stitch and 4mm cubes to start the design process going in my head:

I've been wanting to see if I could build a frame, and I was glad I was able to do it.  I like that the leaf pokes out just a little bit.

Something like this might be a bit complicated to teach to over 100 people at the same time, though.  It's too large, too, so whatever I decide will have to be with smaller beads.