I Can Right Angle Weave: From Basic Stitch to Advanced Techniques, a Comprehensive Workbook for Beaders [Anglais] [Broché]

I bought this yesterday from a local bead store, where Mabeline Gidez was doing a book signing. Her designs are always just stunning -- and this book contains quite a few lovely pieces! Although the book leans more towards the beginner, there are still quite a few projects in here that should appeal to the intermediate and advanced beader.

I've made quite a few of Mabeline's designs before, and she really excels in her instructions, as she does in this book. She includes an excellent diagram for almost every step that shows the exact thread path for each step, as well as follow-along written instructions. In the book, the instructions also read up and down on the page in a vertical frame, as opposed to her other instructions, which read on a horizontal frame and are harder to bead from if keep your bead instructions in a binder as you bead, as I do.

One of the previous reviewers mentioned that the book should include designs that use two needles, but I don't agree that that would be appropriate for a beginners-focused book like this. In her classes, Mabeline often uses two-needle RAW, but I think that doing so in this kind of book would throw off the audience for which it is designed.

Also, even though this book isn't spiral-bound, it still lies flat when you're beading from it, and it stays open while doing so.

Since Mabeline's designs are so exquisite, I was hoping that more of the designs would contain her usual "bling" factor. Don't get me wrong -- the book still contains beautiful projects, but I was hoping for a few more projects that involved the intricate thread paths and more use of the crystals that she's known for. That being said, it's still a lovely book.

On a side note, if you live in So Cal and get a chance to attend a book signing, I'd encourage you do to so since she's including four extra patterns for free that are really lovely!

I Can Right Angle Weave

The Little Engine That Could

As I was reviewing this new beading book published by Lark Books author Madeline Gidez, I kept thinking about the children's book, "The Little Engine That Could." The moral of this wonderful little story is "don't give up."

Some of these beaded woven structures have been very daunting to me. But, almost similar in age to the biblical, Job, I don't give up.
The excellent instructions in this book are complimented by a multitude of well defined diagrams and twenty five projects which range from simple to challenging. Each one is presented in large enough print for these ancient eyes. We are taken along thru this book, sometimes huffing and puffing as the designer increases and decreases the structures to create bracelets, earrings, and necklaces of many styles and colors. Her arrow language is easy to follow along each and every curve, twist, and bend.

The gallery pages are filled with wonderful examples of imaginative creativity. These artists, like the little engine, proved that they "could."

A workbook approach with great, step by step illustrations. The first projects teach basics, then you practice by creating simple components. Modifications and enhancements are then taught with increasing complexity. Designs are included to use the components to make some lovely pieces. I was so pleased with the book that I plan to buy others in the series as they become available. (One on Herringbone stitch is available now, with others planned.)

A super way to learn yourself, or use it to teach others Right Angle Weave!