If it weren't for her love of beads ...

Robin Atkins has written  another  bead book,

but this one just might become known as

THE

quintessential

book for beaders and aspiring beadworkers ...

"The Complete Photo Guide to Beading"

by Robin Atkins

This is the book I wish I'd had around when I was first learning to work with beads.

Divided into three main project groups ~ bead-stringing, bead weaving,

and bead embroidery ~ it offers the reader a wide range of choices for personal expression

tailored to all skill levels.

This is a "how-to" book of the very best kind because the photos are scrumptious!  

I often flounder through written instructions and/or diagrams, but not so with

step-by-step photographs such as these.

Have a look inside & scroll through to see what I mean ... CLICK HERE.

At the back of the book, on page 213 to be exact, you will find a project

very close to my heart, 'Summer Rain, A Story Cloth.' 

Those who are regular followers here will know the depth of my meaning

and understand my great pleasure and honor to be part of this comprehensive reference ...

The majority of the book's projects were designed and created by Robin herself.  In addition, 

nine guest artists were invited to contribute handwork in their particular areas of concentration.

So, I spent the better part of the late summer of 2011

piecing, stitching and beading on 'Summer Rain,' 

not able to tell [show] a soul what I was up to.

I wrote THIS POST in July of that year as a bit of a teaser

and a peek into how I gathered thoughts.

'Summer Rain'

Bead embellished story cloth, 9" x 12"

by Christi Carter

 ~ project photo from book, Creative Publishing Int'l ~

How did it feel?  Nothing short of a a TOTAL BLAST ...

at the same time, the most challenging project I've ever had

the pleasure to undertake.

In my next post I'll share some tidbits about the making of this cloth

along with a few in-process photos not included in the book.

In the meantime, please do make a visit over to Robin's blog where you'll find a

Photo Guide to Beading page ... more info, lovely pikies.

... and in her own words,

A beading renaissance began in the late 1980's, and included

all types of beading.  In addition to beading itself, artisans

took up bead making, creating lampwork, blown glass,

and polymer clay beads.  As beading and bead making

gained popularity and markets, the need for gatherings

such as international bead conferences, also expanded.

Soon bead collectors, makers, and artists developed an internet

presence, developing websites, creating blogs, and forming

interest groups.  Today, a strong sense of being connected around

the world can be gained through beads and beading.  Picture a string

of beads wrapping around the earth many times in every direction, 

including people in every country, all of them united by their common

affection for beads and the art and craft of beading, all of them

experiencing a passion that returns them to the very roots of

humankind's earliest and most consistent form of adornment.

Welcome to the wonderful world of beads!

: : :


UPDATE ... my follow up to this post is HERE