Book Review: Fabulous Fabric Beads by Kristal Wick

Here’s a review I just penned for a fantastic new book by my friend the incredibly talented Kristal Wick. I truly believe every crafter needs this book, even if you don’t make jewelry. Kristal was generous enough to donate TWO copies for me to giveaway on the blog! Leave a comment and I’ll pick TWO winners and announce them next Friday!

Fabulous Fabric Beads
By Kristal Wick
Interweave Press
2008

Kristal Wick approaches her beads and her beadwork with the eye of an artist and the soul of a poet. Her work speaks of primal, ancient, archetypal images and patterns. Her beads are as beautiful as her smile and her effervescent personality shines through in every page of this exquisite book. If you have been itching to break out of the mundane and try something new in your beadwork, this is the book for you. Ms. Wick is a master teacher and designer who will guide you through a litany of ingenious mixed media fabric bead making techniques and show you how to turn those beads into absolutely stunning jewelry.

This book is a feast for the eyes and senses and will surprise and delight you whenever you open it up for inspiration. Kristal is an incomparable muse who will spark your creative fire into infinitely interesting new directions. This isn’t just a how-to book, it’s an adventure into a whole new world of creativity that every beader is bound to enjoy.

Sumptuous colors, rich textures, beautiful layers and subtle nuanced techniques abound in this extraordinary book. I find myself paging through it again and again to glean something new, and I’ve yet to be disappointed. The book is broken up into sections that begin with surface techniques, move on to creating basic fabric beads and progress to more advanced concepts. Ms. Wick then shows you step by step how to integrate the beads into finished pieces that are certain to turn heads when worn. She even includes sidebars showing color palettes, which is very useful for folks who struggle with color. Finally there is a gallery section of more intricate pieces for further creative inspiration.

Personal favorites from the book include the Talisman Message Beads that utilize clear acrylic tubes and shimmery fabric inserts, the gorgeous Mermaid necklace and the fuzzy and funky Wild Fiber Necklace. That being said, there’s so much to love in this book, it’s hard to pick favorites!

Kristal is the designer behind the Sassy Silkies bead line and she’s graciously shared her bead making secrets here with the general public. This is a rare and generous glimpse into the mind of a creative whirlwind. We are all the better for her generosity. If you’re looking for a stellar addition to your beading library, you’ve found it in Fabulous Fabric Beads by Kristal Wick.