Kerrie Slade is a British contemporary beadwork designer and instructor whose work is refreshingly light and modern. One delightful series she came up with were her Kazuri Kritters - a
set a cleverly designed pins using Kazuri animal buttons, complete with a little story about each animal. Raised as an only child in the English countryside, Kerrie says
"her mother taught her the names of trees and flowers from a young age, and often told her fairy tales. These early experiences sparked a vivid imagination, a love of nature and the ability to be content with her own company." Those early influences are evident in her first book, Playful Perfection, a collaborative book with Precosia, the Czech bead manufacturer.
Signed copies of the book are available internationally through her website. The book is also available through Precosia distributors and dealers.
The 150 page book is filled with 30 projects, making it a hefty tome indeed. Most beading books I've reviewed are less than one third the size. 19 of the designs, some of them reworked, were previously published in various international publications. 11 are brand new and exclusive to the book.
Kerrie not only designs necklaces, bracelets, rings and brooches but also other decorative beaded accessories such as, hair grips, cell phone or key chain charms, candle charms and even a beaded photo frame. Many of her pieces are floral as nature is her main muse. She also included a kumihimo design project.
One outstanding feature of the book is her designs incorporate many of the different shaped beads that Preciosa makes including pellet beads (cylindrical beads with a waist) and pip beads. Indeed, the "dictionary" at the beginning of the book showcases the full lineup. Each design has clearly stated information which shows what sort of beads are needed.
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| Pellet Bead Earrings |
I also appreciated the clear instructions. The diagrams showing bead paths are large and often colorful so readers do not have to squint to see them. This explains why the book is so large.
Kerrie does like using ribbon as closures for some of her designs but that is optional as conventional findings can be integrated if preferred.
The projects are not overly difficult nor are they the kind that will take ages to complete. A lovely modern take on traditional beadweaving techniques.
GiveawayIf you'd like to win this giveaway for a copy of
Kerrie's Playful Perfection, 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. 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. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at
6 pm EST Monday, August 28 , 2017. 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!
DisclosureI receive books and products for review. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links which are provided as resource information for readers. This goes towards the support of this blog. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
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