Showing posts with label Beading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beading. Show all posts

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Product review: Crocs Men's and Women's Classic Lined Clog


I have tried Lined Classic Crocs and Blitzen Crocs as my first Prime Wardrobe purchase.   I have owned a number of Crocs.  Great arch support, very comfortable sole, and the ones with a warm liner are very warm.

The Classic Crocs fit exactly as I expected, nice and comfortable. I compared it side by side with my old Classic Crocs and these have slightly less arch support.  The wooly liner is NOT removable for washing.  My old classic Cros had the liner that went all around the opening, and so all edges feel soft.  These new Crocs have a liner that ends at the edges, so the edges feel sharper. I feel this difference only as I try to stick my feet into it, especially at night. This is not a deal-breaker but this is why I am rating these Crocs as 4 stars while my old ones were clearly a 5 star.

Blitzen Crocs, by the way,  did not feel like Crocs to me, they have no arch support and did not feel as comfortable as the Classic Crocs.

With Prime Wardrobe I could try on both shoes (inside, keeping all the labels attached) and then return whatever did not fit as well as I expected.  Blitzen Crocs went back and Classic Crocs were a keeper.  This worked very smoothly, I was only charged for the pair I kept.
You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Book review: Quick & Easy Beaded Jewelry (Beadwork Books) by Elizabeth Gourley

Excellent! Clear and detailed instructions

 This is an excellent book with clear explanations and interesting projects. I am relatively new to beading and picked up this book in the library to learn how to add clasps correctly. This book is great. It had terrific section on techniques. In the table of content below you see that there is a lengthy chapter on techniques. It helped me solve the issue I was having with clasps. In addition the book has a lot of interesting projects, in particularly I enjoyed the section on weaving necklaces techniques (I am attaching an example under Customer Photos). It gave me a lot of new ideas and showed me the tools that will help me get the job done better and quicker.

This book has 127 pages, lots of images, and clear explanations. It has a nice index at the end, which helps to find a specific topic. The projects are suitable for new and experience beader, some are quick and some a lengthy. Here is the content with my annotations. I hope you will find it helpful.

CHAPTER 1
Introduction - Excellent chapter for a beginner as me, I finally undersood what exactly falls into "Findings" category.
Tools
Threads and Wires
Findings
Beads

CHAPTER 2 - My favorite chapter, very clear explanations, shows many options for each area.
Jewelry Standards
Techniques
Attaching Clasps Using:
- Thread
- Crimp Beads and Tiger Tail
- Bead Tips
- Cones and Eye Pins
- Cord Tips
Using a Head Pin or an Eye Pin
Making a Jump Ring
How to Open and Close a Jump Ring
Tying Knots
Tying a Stop Bead
Making Stitches, Netting, and Angle Weave:
- Ladder Stitch
- Chevron Chain
- Daisy Chain
- Vertical Netting
- Square Stitch
- Right Angle Weave
- Making Even-Count Flat and Tubular Peyote

CHAPTER 3 Bead Stranding Projects - Very nice, project range from simple to complex.
Metal Flower Anklet and Earrings
Lemon Necklace and Bracelet
Black and Silver Necklace and Earrings
Tooth Necklace and Earrings
Pink Stretchy Bracelets and Earrings
Grapes Necklace and Earrings
Three-Strand Flower Necklace and Earrings
Seven-Strand Twist Necklace and Eyeglass Chain
Three-Strand Braided Necklace and Headband
Seven-Strand Braided Bracelet and Barrette

CHAPTER 4 Knotted Projects
Knotted Pumpkin Necklace and Bracelet
Blue Ribbon Crystal Heart Choker and Bracelet
Knotted Pearl Necklace and Anklet

CHAPTER 5 Bead Weaving Projects - Stunning results, detailed explanation on how to achieve them.
Green Ladder Stitch Bracelet and Ring
Purple and Black Ladder Stitch Necklace and Earrings
Blue and Green Chevron Necklace
Purple Chevron Choker and Earrings
Topaz and Lavender Daisy Chain Necklace and Bracelet
Black and Turquoise Triangle Daisy Chain Necklace and Earrings
Blue, White, and Purple Netted Choker and Earrings
Vertical Net Necklace and Headband
Peyote Stitch Bracelet and Barrette
Tubular Peyote Sunset Bracelet and Earrings
Square Stitch Scarab Choker and Belt
Square Stitch Flower Broach and Earrings
Crystal Right Angle Weave Pink and Purple Bracelet and Earrings
Blue and Roses Right Angle Weave Dog Collar and Ring

CHAPTER 6 Wirework Projects - Very interesting, I became interested in trying wirework which I was not considering before reading this book
Memory Wire Choker and Ring
Wirework Rosebud Bracelet and Anklet
Rhinestone Necklace and Earrings
Carnelian Daisy and Chain Necklace and Earrings
Red Glass Beads and Wire Necklace and Earrings
Jump Ring Netted Necklace and Bracelet

Excellent book, clear instructions, projects in the book will inspire you!


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Book review: Chic and Easy Beading, Vol. 3, by Editors of Bead&Button magazine

 So much content - I was very pleased!

I am relatively new to beading and picked up this book in the library to learn how to add clasps correctly. This book was all I could hope for. It help me solve the issue I was having with clasps and gave me a lot of new ideas and showed me the tools that will help me get the job done better and quicker.

This book is written by Editors of Bead&Button magazine.  This book has 143 pages, lots of images, and clear explanations. The projects are suitable for new and experience beader, with the goal of producing great results without a huge investment of time. It has basic as well as unique designs. Here is the content with annotations for each project. I hope you will find it helpful.

Chapter : NECKLACES
Lampwork and gemstones
This project combines stone nuggets with lampworked beads in a classic necklace accented with silver tube beads.

Leaf necklace
This simple two-strand leaf necklace is a perfect example of "less is more."

Seed bead serpentine
This project adds textural interest to a double-strand necklace by winding seed beads along a natural path to a lampworked focal bead.

Chain and simple
Beaded elegant necklace that is fast to make.

Neckline variations
Because this design includes both scoop-and V-neck lines, the necklace looks terrific with many wardrobe choices.

Great lengths
This project makes a luxurious scarf necklace with long, flowing strands of seed beads.

Dew drops
Turns sparkling teardrops and bicone crystals into interesting components on an elegant chain necklace.

Lavender lights
project for hydrangea lovers, this a flowery necklace looks like hydrangea.

Falling star necklace
Project to create a sparkling choker.

Triple decker
Bead choice determines the flavor of this three-strand stone, pebble, and pearl necklace.

Shell lei
Shell slices and jade beads fit together in a summery strand.

Cool dip
This necklace uses crystals and seed beads in cool, refreshing colors.

Plaited pearls
Braided beads and pearls coil into a luscious necklace.

Tiered drops
Simple wraps secure dangling pearls and crystals in an choker.

Sparkling sunflowers
Weave crystals and petal-shaped cubic zirconias into a glittering pendant.

Some assembly required
This project uses any small beads you have on hand to create a pretty necklace.

Multistrand elegance
This project creates an elegant multistrand necklace.

Pearls and gems
Play off color and shape with luscious stick pearls and stone slices.

Modern clusters
Wrap crystals, pearls, glass, and gemstones through geometric links for a necklace with casual elegance.

Better in blue
Use five strands of seed beads dressed up with a few crystals, simulated opals, and silver to pick up the shades in a pendant.

Crystal drop necklace
Crystal drops and opalescent seed beads turn this simple pattern into a versatile necklace.

Midnight lariat
This lariat is unusually short, keeping its appeal close to the neckline.

Focal bead fun
Set off a large focal bead with a spray of accent beads in a multistrand necklace.

Pearl garden
Create a stunning pearl necklace from a collection of sparkling components.

Butterfly necklace
This simple multistrand necklace is designed to show off two artist beads.

Tassel necklace
This tasseled piece spotlights an art bead with a multistrand design.

Quick change pendant
This easy pendant is designed to slip on and off a chain, leather, or cord necklace.

Chapter : BRACELETS
Beachy bracelet
Pearl or crystal dangles accent the gleam of shell buttons.

Multistrand twist bracelet
A magnetic clasp is the secret to these easy multistrand bracelets that use up leftover bits and pieces.

Meandering river of beads
Beautiful baguette-cut two-strand crystal spacers connect rows of bubbling beads.

Wire-wrapped bracelet
Wrap assorted beads around a sterling silver form to make an upscale accessory in a flash.

Wrapped hematite hourglasses
Swirling wire and free-floating seed beads encase hematite hourglasses. String in a simple pattern to emphasize the wire curves.

Watch out
The crystal sections of this sparkling watchband string up easily.

Briolette bracelet
Briolettes and crystals combine with accent beads for a sparkling bracelet.

A garden of charms
Combine fun glass beads in the shape of flowers, leaves, butterflies, and ladybugs to make an adorable charm bracelet.

Chapter : EARRINGS
Turning wheel earrings
Textured, hollow copper disk beads are light enough to make comfortable earrings.

On multiple levels
Use chain to create length and movement in these long, dangly earrings.

Feathered finery
Opulent, sable marabou feathers are a wonderful inspiration for jewelry designs and fun plumage to add to any wardrobe.

Gem-set pearls
Teardrop coin pearls are matched in pairs and set on both sides with a variety of tiny, faceted stones in gold bezels.

In one ear.
Personalize metal earrings and frame your face with a favorite phrase, quote, rhyme, or lyric accented by a variety of beaded dangles.

Crisscross earrings
Gold-filled and sterling small-link chains give dangle earrings a delicate look.

Chained beads
These simple but stylish earrings are a good way to use up leftover beads and pearls.

Boho hoops
Suspend a shimmering mother-of-pearl bead in generous double hoops for earrings with a Bohemian vibe.

Creative clusters
Get maximum wear from a few basic earring styles with this modular approach.

Upside down
Free-form wire design is fun and has limitless possibilities for these earrings.

Chapter : JEWELRY SETS
Enamel sensation
Combine fabulous enamel beads with crystals in a classic necklace, bracelet, and earring ensemble.

Charmed coral set
Combine silver shells, pearls, and coral for the perfect summer set reminiscent of a classic charm bracelet.

Faux lariat
This lariat design eliminates the wrap around your neck, but leaves two long, slinky strands of beads.

Silver cascade
Simply strung, this necklace can be casual or dramatic, depending on the length and quantity of strands.

Tears of joy
String small teardrop beads between large glass beads for an easy two-strand necklace, bracelet, and earrings.

Pearls just want to have fun
Crystal pearls dance and swing on this bracelet with matching earrings.

Focus on findings
Combine gemstones, crystals, and pearls to showcase textured silver components in simple but elegant strung jewelry.

Chandelier ensemble
Make a delicate pendant-and-earring ensemble with tiers of wire arches accented with small, faceted dangles.

Garland necklace
String a strand of easy-to-make components to create the illusion of an intricate necklace.

Delicate drops
Teardrop crystals drape daintily from a chain necklace and earrings.

Triple-take garnets
Float slivers of silver between garnet beads for a classic three-strand necklace.

I really enjoyed this book, learned a lot, and already used several projects in practice!


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★★★★★