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Book review and giveaway: Crystal Brilliance

Crystal Brilliance: Making Designer Jewelry with Crystal Beads 

I am really in love with Anna Elizabeth Draeger's new book, Crystal Brilliance.  And I'm thrilled to have a copy that I can give away to one of you, compliments of Kalmbach, the folks who bring you Bead & Button magazine among others! 

Anna does cover the basics of bead weaving, tool, materials, and that sort of thing, but the organization of the book allows you to jump right straight into the projects if that's what you want.  I love the way she has arranged her projects by style: classic, romantic, geometric, and organic.  I dashed right for the organic designs, with names like "Clusters", "Droplets", and "Aurora".  Love it.  I used a variation on the instructions for "Aurora", which is a necklace, to quickly stitch up these earrings in well under an hour.  The directions were very clear and easy to follow.  I didn't follow them exactly, but that's not Anna's fault :-)


 

***FREE STUFF ALERT!!!***

Would you like to win a free copy of Anna's book?  Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered.  If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice!  Deadline: June 9, 2010.  


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Comments

Katie said…
Sounds like a good book to have - especially since I like sparkly things :o) That's awesome that you're going to be able to give one away, too!

Oh - and I'm loving the bead embroidery book...It's something I've wanted to do but haven't really tried on my own, so the book looks to be a great tool to help me out!
I love crystals, but have never worked with them much and I don't have any books about working with them. I'd love this one.

And, Thanks for the great blog. I love your posts and just wanted you to know.
Chiara said…
I'm in with the contest!!!!
I wish I will be the lucky one.
By the way, I am making a giveway on my blog too, and you are more than welcome if you join....
Chiara
Chiara said…
Now I share your post also on facebook....
Greeting
Chiara
Beth Gales said…
I would love to check this out for myself!
Carole said…
Ooooh! My teen-aged daughter is a huge crystal and seed bead fan, so if I win, she will love it. Thanks for having the drawing.
Heather said…
Your review made me want to see the inside of that book. Thank you for everyrthing!!
I LOVE Kalmbach books and this one seems absolutely delightful! Please enter me in the draw.

THANKS!

Francine
I love crystals. I would like to enter. Thank you
It looks like a terrific book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Crazy Mama said…
you left a comment on my blog, which led me to your blog...nice how that works, huh? :) this sounds like an excellent book, and i sure would love to have a copy! please enter me for a chance to win. thank you!
This sounds so interesting. Not that I need another hobby but I can't seem to say no!

thepricklypinecone(at)hotmail.com
Diana Laurence said…
What's not to love about crystals? Twinkly stuff, I adore it. LOL Thanks for the contest!
Jackie Koudry said…
Looks like a terrific book. Would love to have it. Your earrings look fabulous. And by the way, many thanks for the bead embroidery ebooks. They are awesome.
Ronit said…
I'd love a chance to win this book - it sounds great! thanks
Alicia said…
I love getting your blog - it's something I look forward to everyday. The book looks very interesting as I love sparkly!
Caren said…
You have the BEST blog! I love having the RSS feed coming straight to my email! I also love your bead embroidery book. So far I haven't taken the plunge but hope to soon.
Shai Williams said…
I love your blog! You always have great info and the best giveaways.

Oh please pick me! I just love crystals & this looks to be the perfect book.
Bellesanbeaus said…
Even the cover of the book is beautiful! Can't wait to see the insides! Please be so kind to enter me into this give-away and thank you so much for having it. Have a great week...Beth
Joani said…
Gorgeous--truly drool-worthy!
Lithi said…
Ooh, I see and I want. I enter myself in this contest as well. Crystals are just beautiful and I loooove working with them.
Marca said…
Am I too late to enter? I would love this book!

Thanks for organizing this awesome contest.
Erika said…
How cool that you can give away a free book! I have not worked with crystals much so this would be a good one to add to my collection ;) Breat blog by the way!
Jeffrey said…
Crystals are my favorite element of beading. It's my dream to visit Austria and the Swarovski place. Visited the Baccarat Museum in Paris -- it was incredible!

Thanks to you for being so generous! The bedaing community is so awesome -- so many talented and generous people.
Isabella said…
Amazing idea , hope to have the opprtunity to explore the book.
Isabella Lam
This book looks like it has so much great information. It would be great addition to our family library. We would use it on our family vacation when my three sisters and I bring our beading supplies to our week long camping vacation/reunion.

Thanks for your offer and website.
Deborah Kaye said…
I love crystals and this looks like a terrific book!