My pal Kristal is a creative powerhouse and, in her new book, Fabulous Fabric Beads, she shares the secrets to making her popular Sassy Silkies and other fabric beads.

Fabulous Fabric Beads covers everything from supplies, materials and tools, suggestions for ideal fabrics, creating surface designs on fabric, step-by-steps for making fabric beads, using fabric to embellish beads and combining your new beads with wire wrapping, metal, fiber and embellishments.

One of my favorite parts of the book is toward the end, where Kristal shares collections of beads in beautiful color palettes with suggestions for combining colors in unexpected ways.

I was hesitant to purchase this book as I have tried a few of these methods on my own, particularly after reading Sherrill Kahn's 2007 book "Creative Embellishments" for she provides a VERY short section on making fabric and paper beads very much like those of Wick's. Kahn also provides methods to decorate these beads scattered throughout other parts of her book...however, I have to say that Wick's work is much more step-by-step, the beads seem often surreal - definitely don't look like fabric, and provides ideas to use these in many of her jewelry pieces. Kahn uses her beads more frequently in multi-media wall art, as well as other things and her beads have a less "completed" look IMHO. Yet for Kahn's work, that is what she is striving for and with Wick's work, she definitely wants to present the beads for use in jewelry and shows us how we can develop that special bead, even if it is making designs on your own blank canvas of material. Yes these techniques are seen in other books, particularly in manipulating fabric; but many are not (at least in the books I have) - examples - the embossed leather beads, the ribbon muslin bead that has the appeal of focal bead perfect in mixed media jewelry art, and preparation of the surface of a standard fabric bead to look so unlike fabric that it does make one motivated to see what they can come up with following the knowledge Wick presents within this book. I also loved Wick's statement at the beginning of the book that "...my customers ask for something lighter...set out on a journey to capture the vibrant colors of dichroic glass with weightless material." I can truly understand that by having a lighter weight bead, especially for focal beads or for earrings, the jewelry can be even more desirable to the wearer.

Believe it or not, Kahn provides an outstanding commentary to the book "Fabulous Fabric Beads" in the introduction. So you can understand how even one type of method used by one artist can be utilized and be effective in another book...especially if the artist's goal is much different than others performing the same/similar type of design. Wick has definitely done this by showing us her techniques within the pages of this book.

I gave this book 4 stars, when I really wanted to give it a 4.5 star rating, and this is due to the fact that I have seen these sorts of beads elsewhere and developed by different artists for various projects (e.g. Kahn's work). Plus I would have liked more images of jewelry designs for those are great motivators for me when I am stuck in a creative rut. However, to have all this information put into one sound book full of ideas, fabric manipulation and actual jewelry design using these fabric beads, I am definitely glad I purchased this book. It is a great addition to my library of techniques in various media and for going outside the box when developing my own jewelry designs.

I bought this book for the additional information/ideas on mediums and techniques it includes. I viewed the inside of the book before I purchased it so I kind of knew what I was getting. I've created a few of the beads so far and the guidance and ideas have been helpful. I believe I've avoided a few problems by having some of the "testing" done by the author. Some of the photos and materials lists have led me into other areas of exploration for my own versions of fabric and paper beads.

This book was a birthday gift I had long been in love with Ms. Wicks fabric beads and wanted to make my own to incorporate them with my own art beads of polymer clay . I was delighted when I found out she had published a book on her art! It's everything I had hoped for and more! The colors are breath-taking and the instructions are so detailed anyone who buys this book will cherish it. It is a must have if you make and design your own jewelry. She is a wonderful teacher and I cant wait to see what else she will come up with!! You can bet I'll be there when it happens!!

Fabulous Fabric Beads: Create Custom Beads and Art Jewelry by Kristal Wick published by Interweave Press ([...]) focuses on using fabric to create as well as decorate beads. It is actually surprising how many different types of beads you can make with fabric as either the primary material, from simple roll and glue fabric beads to more involved cross stitch beads and even mini-quilt beads. To read my full review, copy and paste this URL into your browser:[...]

What a treat it is for the eye to read Fabulous fabric beads. The minute I received it I went throught it from cover to cover, wow!
The photos are wonderful, they are so clear & the colors are beautiful.
I just can't wait to try the projects. The instructions look like they are very clear & will be easy to follow.

I was just given this book as a gift, & I suspected when I saw the colors & beautiful beads on the book cover, that I was in for a treat. Now the question was, could I produce something as beautiful as what was on the book cover! Her beads are not the basic &/or multicolor beads that you see in Michaels, Target or in multi-bead kits. These are what I call "grown up" beads & the jewelry looks like ... well .... not something home-made or cheap that's for sure! Instead, everything looks like it could be found in a unique, small out-of-the-way boutique jewelry shop in Malibu!

For someone like me who isn't "crafty" or "creative," I suddenly feel like a genius for what I made. I am proud to wear it & smile every time I get compliments! Which is OFTEN! I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to take a moment to relax, try something new &/or to simply have a little bit of fun! Even better, invite your girlfriends that you've not talked to in a while & have a wine/cheese get together & gossip & laugh while you make these beautiful beads & create your art jewelry!

ENJOY!

Fabulous Fabric Beads: Create Custom Beads and Art Jewelry I just received my beautiful present from my dear husband (Steve) since my first discovery of Ms Wicks beads I have been in LOVE with her style, since I am a polymer clay artist they will go beautifully with my work. The book is eveything it promises from start to finish ! Very well put together from step-by-step instructions to even finding the products you need to make your own beads. It is wonderful to have an artist so willing to share her craft with the world ! I can't wait until her next book ! Ms. Wick you can't stop now this book is so beautiful , the colors are so vivid and I can hardly wait til I can get into my craft room and make my own ! I love you ! I love your Book !
Congrat's on a wonderful Book !

After seeing beads similar to the cover beads for sale at a bead shop for $16.95 EACH, I decided there had to be a better way. I began searching out information on how to make something similar, never dreaming I would find instructions on how to make those exact beads!

I am an ADD artist - I love every medium ever created - and my studio is proof! I could never choose between making jewelry, art quilts, dolls, collage, "canvas work" (pastels, acrylic, oil and gauche painting), paper making, cards, stained glass - and those are just the few that jump to mind. That is why I looove Kristal Wick's mesmerizing book. Not only did I find the beads I wanted to make, but I found a plethora of fantastic information! I know many tricks to all sorts of art categories - but Ms Wick taught me several tips, gave me some terrific new ideas, and provided me with more eye candy than I could take in at one (two, three, four...) sitting(s). I have looked through this book so many times already, and have loads pages dog-eared so I can return to them..my little issue is that I'm finding myself marking every page. (The ultimate sign of a good book!)

Another great thing about this book is that you aren't required to amass a pile of expensive tools to complete the awesome ideas she presents - saving you time and money to just focus on creating. I can't wait to get down and dirty with the techniques in Fabulous Fabric Beads - the only problem I have? Which fascinating project do I choose first?!?

The first thing you see when you open this book are the absolutely gorgeous beads. Every page is filled with wonderful ideas and stunning colors. The instructions are so clear and easy to follow, you will be creating your own masterpieces in no time. While it's true these beads are created using inexpensive supplies and tools, the finished products look like expensive boutique jewelry. One of the best things about the book is you can easily take the techniques and use them in any other fiber art project you may be working on. Anyone who is a fan of embellishment, surface design and texture is going to adore this book. I keep thinking I've read the book, since I've gone through it dozens of times so far, yet every time I open it I find something I missed. There is just so much wonderful information here. Kristal has an amazing talent and is a wonderful teacher. This book will make your fingers itch to start creating!