BIG Summer Give Away-Serafini

I cannot believe that somewhere between here and there, I had not picked up or seen this book.  Where have I been?  For my second big Summer give away thanks to the folks at Sterling Publishing and Lark Craft, I have TWO COPIES of of Sherry Serafini's Sensational Bead Embroidery: 25 inspiring jewelry projects.  How exciting is that? 

First for the rules on how you can win one of these marvelous books from one of the Master Bead Embroiderers.  First off, you must be over 18, live in the continental US or Canada, either are or become a follower of my blog, and you need to leave a comment on this posting. I will draw TWO names on July 4th.  Also, please make sure there is some way that I can contact you either through your profile or leave me an e-mail address.  For fun, please let me know if you already know Bead Embroidery and what your passion is.  Also, did I mention that these two books are signed?

If you have never taken a class with Sherry, then this is one teacher you must put on your "I've got to take a class with this Person" list.  She is a marvelous patient teacher who spends as much time helping her students with design, color matching, and techniques.  I didn't know this about her, but in her book she states that she has a "degree in graphic design and studied fine arts in college".  Then she got the bug for beads.   She states also that bead embroidery "is wonderful if you desire spontaneity in your designs.  While bead embroidery can start from specific pattern with specific bead placements, there's also the option of being completely impromptu with beads".  I cannot agree with her more.  Bead embroidery allows the arts to sit down with paper and pen drawing intricate patterns on your beading material or just go all wild placing bead after bead onto your canvass in pleasing patterns. 

This book is mainly intended for the more intermediate to advanced person who already has the beginning techniques down, but that should not stop anyone wanting to learn this fabulous technique from passing on this book. Each project has a detailed supply list for those who wish to complete the project and have it look like that which is photographed in the book, or you can just chose your own beads and color palette.  The very first project " Spiked Angel Brooch"  is easy enough for the beginner to start.   Between each project are also photos of some of Sherry's most breath taking designs and pieces of jewelry.  The whole book's project ends with the amazing "Perfect Union Neck piece".  Every single one of the 23 projects give you detailed knowledge on how to begin, but more importantly how to finish each design from putting the encrusted front to backing, sewing them all together, embellishing the ends, to the clasp.  AND there are patterns in this book for you to use in your own step into the pathway of Bead Embroidery.

To celebrate this Big Summer give Away to win one of two books, I've decided to take one of Sherry's projects and share with you how I complete it.  I started working on "Black Widow Collar" from Chapter 4: Natural Wonders.  I started it about a week ago, and am documenting my progress with pictures taken with my iPhone.  Now remember my blog name as I have indeed speeded my way through this fantastic project.  It all started out with a piece of glass that I got at the Bead Unique Tahoe Retreat.  I wish I could remember who gave it to me as the colors are just amazing.  Then I took a few small pieces of glass given to me by my Synergy partner, Cyndy Gohsman.  I have been using Nicole's Bead Backing for my past projects and wanted to experiment to see if it was durable enough for a bigger project.  I chose gray for the color as I wanted the beads to dominate the color pathway.  I've got most of it done by this posting, and will post more of my completion and finished project in future postings.  I must say that Sherry's book has really made my Muse dance with pleasure with each project and the luscious gallery of Sherry Serafini and other artist's work. 

I had to go back to work, so my progress on this project might be a little slower than it was last week while I was on vacation, but it makes me so excited to work on this that I just can't help myself and might spend time that should be used to rest and sleep to finish up.

Disclosure...As a reviewer of  products from Lark Books, I receive the book above free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products...positive or negative. I am not being compensated by Lark Books for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.