If you like working with shaped beads, then you are probably already a fan of Virginia Jensen's work and her books! Stitching with Two-Hole Shaped Beads and Contemporary Cube Bead Designs are Kalmbach Media titles you might already be familiar with, and here is her latest: Two-Hole Bead Stitching. Just like the others, this book has the fabulous photos and illustrations that Kalmbach is known for. And it is full of the fabulous and fun designs that Virginia is known for!
Each chapter starts with a fairly simple piece and progresses through more intricate and challenging pieces. I particularly liked some of the variations that could be made using the basic S-braid pattern. The easy basic version is included in this book, along with lots of fabulous alternatives, using other shapes and mixtures.
I have to be honest that I've not been very interested in shaped beads. I love my regular seed beads, and for the most part, adding a few drops or daggers around the edges of my bead embroidery is just fine for me. But recently I've been seeing more shaped beads being used even in embroidery. Often then are woven together first and then stitched down to the foundation. What makes this particularly appealing is that the neck straps of a large necklace or cuff can be completed very quickly. Virginia has many many designs that would be beautiful on their own, but that I could also see being incorporated into embroidered pieces.
I may just have to start buying a few of these beauties and fooling around with them!
Other books I've reviewed that focus on shaped beads:
Learn to Use Two-Hole Beads
Stitching with Two-Hole Shaped Beads
Beautiful Designs with Super Duos and Twin Beads
Great Designs for Shaped Beads
Contemporary Cube Bead Designs
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