MASTERS: BEADWEAVING is the latest title in Lark Books' astonishing Masters series and quite possibly my favorite. I'm a huge fan of this series. Each title is dedicated to a particular craft or niche; other books include the very beautiful Masters: Art Quilts: Major Works by Leading Artists (The Masters) and Masters: Gold: Major Works by Leading Artists (Masters Series). In Masters: Beadweaving, Carol Wilcox Wells, a master beadweaver herself and seminal bead-book author, has curated a title featuring three dozen bead artists each given eight pages to showcase their best work, with quotes from the artists and short essays by Wells about their style and technique rounding out the presentation.
Including sculptural work, vessels, and of course jewelry, as well as a wide array of stitches, the range of work presented is astonishing, and the excellence of the artists who are featured absolutely manifest. More than just outstanding craft, the pieces selected are truly fine art. Above all, this inspiring volume is simply gorgeous -- beaders and non-beaders alike will find endless visual delight in the book. Since I received it, I just can't stop picking it up. With it already underpriced at $24.95 for what it delivers, Amazon's discounted price makes it an amazing steal.
For beaders and fans of the medium, here's what you want to know: The 36 artists featured are Jeanette Ahlgren, Jo Ann Baumann, Virginia L. Blakelock, Rebecca Brown-Thompson, David K. Chatt, Sonya Clark, Marcia DeCoster, Sharon Donovan, Wendy Ellsworth, Margo C. Field, Linda Fifield, Diane Fitzgerald, Susan Etcoff Fraerman, Leslie Frazier, Valerie Hector, Laura Leonard, Dallas Lovett, Eleanor Lux, Laura McCabe, NanC Meinhardt, Maggie Meister, Ann Tevepaugh Mitchell, Rachel Nelson-Smith, Karen Paust, Huib Petersen, Don Pierce, Melanie Potter, Madelyn C. Ricks, Cynthia Rutledge, Joyce J. Scott, Sherry Serafini, Natasha St. Michael, Marcie Stone, Laura Willits, Amolia Willowsong, and Sharmini Wirasekara. Enjoy!