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Book Review & Giveaway : Beadweaving Beyond the Basics

Right angle weave (RAW) is one of the most versatile beadweaving stitches out there. It is also a very easy stitch suitable for beginners. I particularly love using two needles which allow the threads to "cross weave" through beads which makes the process quicker. But it can also be done with a single needle.  This weave is so named because the beads sit at right angles to each other, forming a square or diamond shape.

Book cover Beadweaving and beyond

This recently published book I just received for review, Beadweaving Beyond the Basics celebrates, in a big way, this wonderful stitch.  It is a Fons & Porter/F+W publication. The author is Kassie Shaw, a seasoned and published bead artist who also sells tutorials and kits.


The introduction covers not just the essential materials needed but very clear instructions on other stitches such as the herringbone stitch family, cubic RAW, peyote (even and odd) and St Petersburg. These happen to be the author's favorites and are used in a supportive role to the star of the book, the RAW. There are 24 projects in all - bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

What Kassie does is to take the basic RAW stitch and increase their design potential with 3 unique approaches.  The first section of the book covers the double diamond right angle weave (DDRAW).  Here the designer enlarges the basic RAW diamond shape with a second row of beads.  This allows her to form areas where she can add other kinds of beads.  One example is the Palisades bracelet which cleverly captures round crystals as well as bugle rows.


The instructions for every project are clearly illustrated.  What's more, the author, a leftie herself, peppers the book with many tips for lefties!
She also uses the DDRAW in original ways such as the double bezel necklace Sundial design (last photograph on the contents page) and in the Trapeze earrings below.  I also love the way the author uses thread guards or wire guardians at the top of her earrings - a far more professional finish than a loop of beads. (see this past post on wire guardians)


The second section of the book is about the faux RAW (FRAW) stitch where she shows how to speed weave when embellishing the empty spaces  between the RAW units.  Her bracelet designs such as the Couplet below and the diagonally striped one called the Fee Fi Faux Fun on the contents page are two very different examples using the same technique.


Beaders who like a more modern and simpler style to beadwork will certainly appreciate many of the projects including the Shoulder Dusters earrings and the bold Firewheel Spinner necklace below which both use the FRAW technique.





The final section of the book highlights the Layered RAW (LRAW) technique which gives designs a more sculptured look. It builds on the FRAW by placing additional beads over the central "hole" of the RAW diamond.  The Reversible Braided bracelet design below  is a stunning example as is the more challenging Faux Ribbon Pendant necklace, also below.



The graphics for this book provide some of the best illustrated instructions I have seen in a long, long time. Beadweaving with small beads is already challenging enough so the large images are appreciated!

This inspirational book will make a delightful addition to any serious beadweaver's library.

Giveaway

If you'd like to win a copy of Beadweaving Beyond the Basics, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.

Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.

This giveaway is international.
If the winner has a non-post box US address, the prize will be a physical book.  Otherwise it will be an eBook.

Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments.

It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Thursday, October 22, 2015 . I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!

Disclosure
I receive books and products for review.  I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links.   The opinions expressed are solely my own.  They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.

Before You Go:
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips 

85 comments:

  1. This looks to be a splendid book. Please enter me into the contest and thank you for offering this give-away. spinningjenny57@hotmail.com

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  2. I would love to win this book. I love beading and books. Thanks

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  3. Hello ! Another very interesting giveaway !!! , I am a follower and I think this book might be very useful to learn more , and I know a young left hander who is learning too ... So , I hope to win !!!

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  4. Love your posts. Would really like to win this book.

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  5. Enjoy doing right angle weave. Would appreciate this book.

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  6. those designs literally had me salivating- love the ideas and am already thinking how they could combine with other things I have- I'm on your mailing list , Facebook and linked in too

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  7. I would the opportunity to win the wonderful new book.......thank you!!!!!

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  8. Sounds like a great book. I'm interested in her variations on the basic stitch. beadsophisticate(at)gmail(dot)com.

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  9. These look amazing-I love this type of beadwork but always have trouble with the circular shapes(like encasing rivolis for example) with the RAW & brick stitch & getting the tension just right, the tips in this would be very handy! Subscriber and blog follower & reachable at retro-grrl@hotmail.com.

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  10. Kassie's designs are beautiful!

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  11. I see several patterns I would like to make just reading this review! I would love to win this book!

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  12. I would love to win this book so I could advance my knowledge of bead weaving further. Thanks for the giveaway Pearl.

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  13. OMG! What fun I could have with this book! I would be proud to win it! Your work is fabulous!!
    shuga217@gmail.com

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  14. Thanks for the chance to win this lovely Book

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  15. This looks like a beautiful book! Bead weaving is one of the beading skills I definitely haven't mastered, so I would love to give some of these beautiful patterns a try - I am particularly in love with the Trapeze Earrings and the Faux Ribbon Pendant Necklace - just lovely!!

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  16. WOW, so many great projects this would be an awesome addition to MY beading library!
    Swillert@new.rr.com

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  17. Very unusual designs. Please enter me in the give-away.

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  18. What an awesome preview of this book! I'd love to win it, as a Beading Gem follower I look forward to keeping up with fresh ideas & new talent and especially to create my own work at "the next level"!

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  19. Such lovely & classy designs in this book! I would love to try some of the patterns.

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  20. Such pretty projects. I'd love to try some of them.

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  21. I could use some good projects to practice my RAW so I can advance to CRAW & PRAW.

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  22. Being somewhat new to bead weaving, I would so love to win this book, as I have fallen in love with bead weaving! Thank you for the chance to win a book this lovely, filled with beautiful projects! Keeping my fingers crossed!!

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  23. (sorry if this is a double! I think google ate my comment)

    I'd love to try these!

    robininseoul@gmail.com

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  24. I'm always amazed at what people can do with beads and thread....

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  25. I'd love to have a chance to win this book and learn how to create these beautiful designs!

    joycehorton@hotmail.com

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  26. I find beading so difficult, this would surely help. Thank you Pearl. Blog follower zoowatcher10@yahoo.com

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  27. Looks like a great book. Good illustrations are definitely a plus! Thanks for providing this giveaway. Danielle, dmontaguejudd@gmail.com

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  28. This looks like a great book. With some really pretty pieces that I would love to make. Thanks for the chance to win! Becky, bfickle2010@yahoo.com

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  29. What awesome creations..dharrisny66@hotmail.com

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  30. Ah, love the review and especially the photos. I can't wait to try out the shoulder earrings, the really long ones :) bead-holic at your service!
    (I'm pretty sure you know how to find me!)

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  31. Greta gdmar@comcast.netOctober 15, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    I already had my eye on this book. I just love the romantic nature of this jewelry. Sure hope I win this one. I am a blog subscriber.

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  32. What a great resource for bead weaving! I would love to win it and give those designs a try.
    Mary Seagrave
    mary.seagrave@sympatico.ca

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  33. this book look fantastic Dora dharrisny66@hotmail.com

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  34. These designs look great! And the tips for left-handed beaders - like me - sound fabulous! The number of times I've had to work with an upside-down book or magazine to work out what I need to do....
    slhpurrple7-beading(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

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  35. I really love the sound of this book and I'd love to win.

    jewellerybyjanine@gmail.com

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  36. Thanks for the review of this book. It looks really great. I love the braided looking bracelet as well as the earrings. I would love to make the items from the book. Thanks for the chance to win! (Kateyhbf@gmail.com)

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  37. Thank you so much for sharing a review of this great book. It would definitely help my beading skills. I would love to win it. Debb245@gmail.com

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  38. What beautifully gorgeous, intricate beading. Wow. Such a talent. Would love to win this book.

    donnacorn@juno.com

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  39. I have been wanting to do bead weaving this would be great.

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  40. I have been wanting to start bead weaving this would be great. iheajoe0712@gmail.com

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  41. I would love to win that book. It looks great. Even if I don't win it, I just might buy it :-)
    Liz at Bead Contagion

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  42. These pictures look beautiful. Always looking for ways to expand my beadweaving skills. Thank you for the opportunity to win.

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  43. These designs are beautiful. I particularly like the braided reversible bracelet. I would really enjoy this book.

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  44. Projects in this book look great. Would love to win it! I've been meaning to try some projects like this...

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  45. Love it!
    Katrina@katrinapeebles.com

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  46. This book looks Awesome! I would love to have it. My email is
    jdbabygirl57@yahoo.com

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  47. Looks like a terrific book. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  48. I am a blog follower. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  49. It looks like a great book! So beautiful projects that I would love to make. Thanks for the chance to win!!
    lettygov@yahoo.com.mx

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  50. I felt like the proverbial thunderbolt struck me when I saw the stunning beadwork! I would love to be the lucky winner, but this book is at the top of my buy list if my luck holds as normal ;).
    thesauciestwench@yahoo.com
    Thank you for giving us a taste of this luscious collection!

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  51. This looks like a wonderful book with easy to understand instructions and lots of pictures. The tips for lefties is a big plus!
    kaysuet(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  52. I am a blog subscriber.
    kaysuet(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  53. Chuck
    I lose lol

    A Mac addict at Mac dot com

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  54. I'm always up for a new beadweaving challenge.

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  55. What beautiful pieces! My favorite is the braided bracelet! Would love to win!
    Donna J
    datmine2009@hotmail.com

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  56. Intricate work.. would love to win

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  57. I am a blog follower too. thanks for the chance to win

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  58. Looks like a wonderful book. Just the few samples you shared make me want to get the book and start beading immediately. I hope I'm lucky enough to win this fab book!

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  59. I would love to add this to my library, I'm still very new to stitching
    momquilts_1@yahoo.com

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  60. Beautiful designs, would love to own this book. Even if I don't win it I will definitely buy it.

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  61. The projects in this book lare absolutely stunning. Would love to win! grinchswoman@hotmail.com

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  62. I'd love to have a chance to win. Thanks for this opportunity! ndemore.23@gmail.com.

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  63. Would love to win this book. Love beading.

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  64. Just what I'm looking for!

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  65. I really enjoy bead-weaving and the book looks good, nice designs and good, clear instruction. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    Rochelle rochelleth@hvc.rr.com
    I subscribe to your posts.

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  66. I would love this book. I really want to expand what I am doing with my beading and this looks like just the ticket.
    Terri Womack: missile102@gmail.com

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  67. Would love to win this...Thanks for the opportunity!

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  68. Thank you Pearl for hosting another wonderful giveaway!
    I love beadweaving. My 2 favorite stitches are RAW and CRAW. It would be a treat to win Kassie Shaw's new book! Debra Schwartz msd.katz@hotmail.com

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  69. This book looks great!! I REALLY hope I win it. It seems to be written in an easy concise manner to follow and understand.
    Good Luck to all from Patti Leitman.
    ems27@sympatico.ca

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  70. Hi! I am an intermediate level beader and still relatively new to the world of beads. This book seems quite useful for me. So please include me in your giveaway.
    My email address is


    I have shared your post on facebook as well. https://www.facebook.com/mural.mist/posts/1636886286585967

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    1. My email address is pearlypink (at) ymail (dot) com. Must have missed it in the previous comment.

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  71. Pearl, thanks for everything you do for the beading community. I am a blog subscriber & follow you on FB.

    Bead weaving is a passion of mine, but I've yet to work with RAW, so this book would give me the inspiration & a jump-start into this technique. The designs are stunning & the variations of RAW are intriguing, opening up many creative possibilities.

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  72. Thank you for all your work on your site. I follow you via email and your site is FULL of inspiration and ideas. rocknutzaz@yahoo.com

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  73. Very lovely. Will add book to my wishlist in case I don't win.

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  74. What lovely projects to try - would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance!

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  75. Love these designs. Since I'm new to beading, I look for patterns all the time. Thanks for the chance to win. Patricia B imperfectuniquely@gmail.com I'm an email subbie. I shared on Facebook, pinterest, twitter and goggle+.

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  76. I am a blog follower as well. I always forget that one.

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  77. I do mainly bead weaving, and would love to have this book.
    Evelyn Lee evelyn.lee2@yahoo.ca

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  78. I have just begun to learn the art of beading and if I am lucky enough to win this wonderful book, it will become a valuable resource.
    joneskathee@gmail.com

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  79. This book looks like it has everything a beader would want. I love RAW and the extra directions for the other stitches is icing on the cake. I could really use this book to take my beading to the next level.
    ycraftingcrafter.wordpress.com charleneweese@gmail.com

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  80. Hi. I'll really have loved to be a benefactor of this giveaway, but it seems I'm too late. I only just stumbled on your blog in my search for tips on jewelry making.
    Beautiful blog u have here.
    I'll take a leap of faith though and drop my email address.
    harr13tsp@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Yes, you have missed this giveaway but please stay tuned as there will be more in the future.

      Delete

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