Wednesday, January 30, 2013

NDEBELE OR AS WE CALL IT HERRINGBONE

Hi Everyone!
 
I have had this book for awhile now and thought it was about time to share my thoughts on it. 
 In 1990 when Virginia Blakelock published her book "Those Bad Bad Beads" she brought to the forefront beading techniques that were not yet popular in the US. Oh there WERE some of us old timers using Native American, African, and Mexican stitches but it wasn't until this book hit the market that allowed beading techniques to be used in a contemporary way for the masses. The one stitch that always intrigued so many was the African Ndebele stitch, or as we know it by Herringbone. Since those early days there have been many more books written on this subject. Designs that flip the imagination and allows creativity to flow from the mind to beading fingers. Which brings me to the book,
"I CAN Herringbone" I do like the (I CAN) books published by Lark Jewelry and Beading. This book is written by Melissa Grankowsky and is presented in a way that anyone can learn this stitch with confidence. I myself have been creating with Herringbone since the 1980's and never find it boring. The patterns in this book are not boring either. They are in fact exciting!!! From very simply to more advanced pieces I think you will be happy with the designs. If you haven't tried Herringbone then I this is the book for you. If you know the basics and want to improve on style and technique then I highly recommend this book.
As always with a Lark book the photographs are excellent, the graphs and directions in perfect sequence and the gallery will inspire you to create with Herringbone.
 
I CAN herringbone
By Melissa Grakowsky
Lark Jewelry and Beading
ISBN 978-1-4547-0362-4



Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

3 comments:

Healing Woman said...

Nice book review. I love it when I find a book that never seems outdated and that is always a pleasure to go back to. I'm sure this book helped you leap ahead of most beaders back in 1990-I know you seem to be waaaay ahead of the pack now!

DVArtist said...

Thanks Cheryl. I have been beading a long time way before beading was all that popular. When I add it all up 47 years. OMG!!
Nicole

Hot Rocks said...

I don't know a lot about that beautiful style of beading, but I love the title of that book! Thanks for sharing that book with us.