Bonus Book Review: Blogging For Bliss

I picked up my copy of Blogging For Bliss after I saw a great review on Cindy Wimmer's Blog, Sweet Bead Studio. I am really so happy that I did. I've learned quite a bit from it since I got it. Blogging doesn't always come easily. So a guidebook on the basics is necessary for someone who keeps a daily web log. This book is written for any blogger, whether you craft, knit, bead, scrapbook or create in any way, shape or form.

The book takes you through the step by step process, from the beginning; Add a banner, add graphics, taking good photographs, editing photographs, establish your links, and tips on drawing readers in. Best best part is, you can see an inside look at favorite bloggers such as Alicia Paulson (Posie Gets Cozy), Gabreial Wyatt (Vintage Indie), Emily Martin (Inside A Black Apple), Lidy Baars (Little French Garden House), Heather Bullard (Vintage Inspired Living), and Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards (The Farm Chicks).

I'm a visual learner so seeing nice big colorful photographs of the steps, helped me immeasurably! I would absolutely recommend this book for the new blogger, AND the seasoned blogger. It's a useful tool that everyone will be glad they have in their personal libraries! It would also be a really great gift this Holiday season!

Buy your copy here at Amazon.com!

Fit to Print Book Review - Chain Style

Chain Style by Jane Dickerson

Another stunning book from the creative team at Interweave Press.  If you loved Mixed Metals and Simply Modern Jewelry, you'll want to pick up this one too!

With contributing designers such as Lorelei Eurto, Melanie Brooks, Kerry Bogert, Lisa Blackwell, Taya & Silvija Koschnick, Denise Peck and more, you know this book is packed with modern designs that will appeal to those who love to string, wire-wrap and mix it up with art beads!

The book covers the basic tools and techniques for working with chain and over 50 projects. With such a wide array of designers the projects offer an eclectic mix of contemporary designs from urban chic, steampunk, modern and simple to fun and funky. From commercial chain, to chains of polyester, to chain created from hardware store findings, the necklace and bracelet projects in this book are a great starting point for your next creative session.

Fit to Print Book Review - Create Glass Jewelry

Create Jewelry: Glass by Marlene Blessing and Jamie Hogsett

This book is the third in the Create Jewelry series from Interview Press with this powerhouse design team!  Just as the title suggests you'll find 21 projects that focus on glass - from seed beads, pressed glass to commercial and artist lampwork.

The book has three sections: classic, special-occasion and fashion forward. The designs range from simple stringing to more complex beaded pieces. Along with the projects you'll find a fascinating look at the history of glass, a primer on the types of glass beads available today and little nuggets of information packed throughout the book.

What I love about the book are some of the more non-traditional projects like ribbon, bead and wire-wrapping to showcase an art beads. I also enjoy the mix of seed bead elements mixed in with wire-wrapping and stringing to introduce off-loom beadweaving to those who may want to stick their toe into the world of beadwork. The designs are a beautiful mix of colors and textures in contemporary styles that will please both the artist and fashionista.

A Beady Book Fair

Join us this week as we review a collection of recently released jewelry design books.  We'll post one or two reviews each day. To celebrate our Book Fair we are giving away two free books provided by Lark Books.

The first is Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence, which will be reviewed later this week by Beverly Herman.

The second book in our giveaway is Beading with World Beads, edited by Ray Hemachandra with 15 contributors such as Jean Campbell and Candie Cooper.  This book features designs inspired by beads and jewelry from around the world with a contemporary edge.  It's a beautiful book that one lucky winner will enjoy adding to their library.

To enter: leave a comment to this post, one entry per person.  Make sure to include a valid email if you don't have a blog so that we can reach you if you win.  On Monday morning we'll draw two random winners from all of the entries/comments.

To help get the comments rolling I'll ask a fun question:

What book is currently on your wish list?

I'm looking forward to reading your answers!