DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns
Not only was Katie Hacker was kind enough to grant us an interview and she also gave me two books for giveaways to a lucky CraftGossip reader.
If you’d like to win a copy of “The Need to Bead” and “Born to Bead” books, leave a comment here with why you feel “the need to bead” or why you think you were “born to bead”. I’ll pick one lucky person at random on Jan 31st!
[…] forget to leave a comment to win a copy of “The Need to Bead” & “Born to Bead” books by Katie Hacker!!!!! […]
This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids, and I’ll admit this one is another of those books that makes me pause for a moment and ask, “Does this belong in Jewelry Making, Kids Crafts, or somewhere in between?”
Technically, it is not jewelry in the traditional necklace-and-earrings sense, but it is very much a beading book, and beading skills are such a useful doorway into jewelry making. For kids especially, learning how to thread beads, follow patterns, work with wire, and build little 3D shapes is a brilliant way to develop patience, fine motor skills, and confidence with craft materials.
The cover promises 3D beaded animal crafts for kids, with a focus on cute seed bead animals made with wire. The little fox on the cover is exactly the sort of project that catches attention — bright, cheerful, and very giftable. I can see this being a fun book for crafty kids, tweens, grandparents crafting with children, or even adults who secretly enjoy tiny beaded animals but pretend they are “helping the kids.”
What I like about this type of project is that it gives children a finished piece they can actually be proud of. These are not throwaway crafts. A beaded animal can become a bag charm, keychain, desk buddy, zipper pull, ornament, or little handmade gift. And if you have a child who loves collecting small things, well, prepare yourself — you may soon have an entire zoo made from seed beads.
There is also a nice connection here for beginner jewelry makers. Working with beads and wire in a simple 3D form helps build the same kind of careful hand skills used in beaded jewelry, wire wrapping, charms, and small accessories. So while I would be tempted to cross-post this over on our Kids Crafts section, I still think it earns its place here for anyone wanting beginner-friendly beading projects.
This book would suit kids who already enjoy detailed crafts, families looking for screen-free creative projects, or makers who want small bead projects that are playful rather than overly serious. I would suggest adult help for younger children, especially because seed beads and wire can be fiddly, and nobody needs a craft session ending with beads in the carpet forever. Although, let’s be honest, that may happen anyway.
My Shellie-style take? 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids looks like a fun, colourful and practical beading book for young makers who like cute projects with a real finished result. It is crafty, giftable, a little bit nostalgic, and a lovely stepping stone into more detailed beadwork and jewelry making later on.
You can find the book here: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids.
I would love to win one of the books.
I need to bead because I cannot resist buying beads – they are like candy so i have loads of them. And when I see beads lying around I feel a great urge to make something of them – a need to bead!
I have never worked with beads before but I am interested in learning new crafts and would love to learn more about beading after seeing all the beautiful creation on different craft sites.
I feel the need to bead because that is my way to express my creativity and to show my interpretation of beauty. I love creating beaded jewelry for my self because it makes me happy and helps me relax and take my mind off of things. I also feel the need to bead and give people gifts of beaded jewelry to see them smile and see them wear some jewelry that makes them feel happy and beautiful.
Im’ a bead junkie, beads everywhere (even in the bed – don’t talk to my husband.) See my fabulous homemade beadboard at this link: http://lisaoram.com/?p=157. Would love to add either of Katie’s books to my collection. Thanks!
Those books look awesome…especially for a newbie beader like me!!
I don’t like my hands to be idle – and do a lot of machine sewing and rubber stamping -neither of which are very portable.
I find beading to be portable, and show-offable, so I can brag on my mad beading skills – quilts are harder to show off at the office, and you can only stamp so many cards to display on your desk.
Um….I don’t NEED to bead; I can quit anytime I want 😉
I’m not sure if my comment went through ok…I was having problems with my Internet connection, but anyway…I feel the need to bead because that is my way to express my creativity and to show my interpretation of beauty. I love creating beaded jewelry for my self because it makes me happy and helps me relax and take my mind off of things. I also feel the need to bead and give people gifts of beaded jewelry to see them smile and see them wear some jewelry that makes them feel happy and beautiful.
Clearly not “born to bead”–I still chafe at picking up a needle. The “need to bead” has come out of a desire to express myself through the visual arts and a personal love of bling.
i’ve always loved to adorn myself with pretty babbules so i would love to learn how to make my own to flaunt
i need to bead because i did a lot of it in my younger days and really miss it thanks for the giveaway
I would like to win these books. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have a tutor form high school I would love to win these for. SHe send me a nice beaded gift for Christmas
I love beading – it has been my new “relaxation hobby” and a great way to stimulate the creative juices!
I just love checking out new beads, testing out supplies… it’s so much fun!
I was born to bead because I have always loved jewelry and rocks/stones. Now I can put my two loves together!
making things help me relax from being a mommy of three
I like to bead it’s a relieve from stress!
carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have loved beading for years (well decades really) and love to learn new projects
I would like to have a craft to do with my teenage SD.
Thanks for the giveaway.
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to learn how to bead. I think its gorgeous.
I feel the need to bead so I have an outlet to release my inner artist 🙂 I love the all the beautiful things that beads can make. *Thanks* for the giveaway!
oooooo….I hope you pick little ol’ me!
~Sadie
I think I need to bead because my friends and family call me a beadophile… :p
I love to do bead work!
I just started beading recently and I just can’t stop! lol!
Its like its an obsession or something!
As I bead my project it starts taking a life all its own.
And Iam always amazed at the beautiful end results!
This new hobby of mine blows my mind as I finally realize…..”Hey! Iam an artist too!”
I love Katie and her books are just wonderful! A reader is going to be very lucky! 😉
Jamie
Creations by JAE
I need to bead, because I saw my mother-in-laws beaded Christmas Ornaments and Angels and fell in love with this artistic endeavor. She told me she fell in love with beads from seeing beautiful necklaces and braclets her daughter had beaded.
I would love to win one of these books! They would help with inspiration. I bead so that I can get the images out of my mind to a format that I can show to other people.
What great books, and a great giveaway!! Enter me please.