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Beadmaille: Jewelry with Bead Weaving and Metal Rings (Lark Books $21.95 US; $28.95 CAN) by Cindy Thomas Pankopf creates a unique technique that combines bead weaving and chain maille. These are two jewelry methods that normally would be worlds apart, but together they make up some incredibly intricate looking jewelry designs.

The Techniques

The bead weaving stitches used include right-angle weave (RAW), peyote, double-needle right angle weave, and square stitch.

The techniques section also explains how to make jump rings and form some standard wire work like simple loops and wrapped loops.

While there is a lot of information packed into this section (such as tools, supplies, and materials used), I think this is the only place in the book that I found the information to be a little lacking. If you are semi-familiar with these techniques, then there is enough here to get you started; however, if you have never strung a seed bead or worked with wire at all, then the information and illustrations may seem a little limited. As an example, there is a full page describing how to make jump rings, yet only two illustrations.

Maybe I'm asking a little too much, though, because to cover all of these two techniques in extensive detail would probably triple the size of this text.

The Projects

The projects really "make" this book. There are 25 of them. Each includes lots of illustrations to show how to intertwine the bead weaving and the jump rings. There are lot of necklaces, which is common with most jewelry books, but there are also some interesting ring designs, earrings, and bracelets as well.

I particularly liked the "London Flat Bracelet" that combines right-angle weave and textured gold-tone rings that are linked and inserted through the center of the weave. "Identical Triplets Necklace" is another favorite of mine. It has a smaller amount of seed beads used in it than some of the other projects, and it combines a variety of rings as far as size, texture, and types of metal, taking off on the "link" trend that is so popular right now. I would even go so far as describing some of the finished jewelry pieces as stunning.

Concluding Thoughts

The author clearly spent a great deal of time perfecting this unusual combination of jewelry techniques, and the result is a book that is like no other. Beadmaille really opens up possibilities for bead weavers who are looking for some way to expand on their stitches and for chain maille-lovers to add color and texture to their links. How can you not be impressed by someone who has developed a signature style?

Total beginners will need some extra help with some of the basics such as mastering RAW and square stitch as well making jump rings, so that is the only drawback I see here. Otherwise, I think experienced bead weavers and wire workers will be all over this new technique called "Beadmaille."

Publisher's Site

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