Monday Book Review and Giveaway: Break the Rules



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This is a brand new book out by Lark Crafts. Diane Hyde  wanted to stand out from the masses and once she learned some basic stitches,  started incorporating found objects and other non-traditional components into her work.  She is now sharing a plethora of information in her new book called Break the Rules: Bead Embroidery {22 jewelry projects featuring innovative materials} 

I sat down with this book over the weekend and really enjoyed every aspect of it. The first 20 pages include details on objects, with lots of great pictures and inspiring ideas on what can be incorporated in bead embroidery designs. Things you have never even thought of, I'm sure. Like Dice, Corks, and guitar picks!  Or porcelain doll parts, rocks, bones, feathers!  The techniques section is really wonderful as well. I have never done bead embroidery but after reading through the step by step techniques, I really do feel that I could conquer some really basic stitches which is really the basis of this inspirational book. 



There are basic projects, and more advanced projects, a little bit for every skill level. My favorite piece (a variation on the thimble bracelet)  is Pot of Posies, a pendant made from a thimble, and stitched lucite flowers and felt ball with some fringy chain. So adorable!

Or the peyote stitched dice bracelet with scrabble pieces for extra personalized flair! The projects are all really attractive, with great colors and I believe any beader or bead weaver could pull inspiration from this book!

I have one copy that I am giving away here at the blog. Please leave a comment on this post and tell me about the wackiest thing you have ever included in one of your beaded designs. I will pick 1 random winner for a copy, tomorrow morning around 8am est.

Good luck all!



Comments

  1. One year I made a necklace with a Guatemalan worry doll.

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  2. I made earrings using sticks from my yard

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  3. I used a large barnicle in a necklace. Would love to win this book!

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  4. This looks interesting. I haven't tried bead embroidery yet, because everytime I look at it, it seems overwhelming. I've made earrings out of beer/coke caps, but haven't really included anything wacky yet in my jewelry. But I have used a piece of a deer horn/antler in a stained glass lampshade I made for my hubby for a mesquite wood lamp his grandfather made for him.

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  5. I guess I'm just a traditionalist cuz I don't think I've ever used anything too unusual lol

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  6. I once wove a spent gun casing into a mixed-media bracelet -- and I do have to admit, it had an odor that brought me back to my childhood (my father loaded bullets in our kitchen, don't ask...) -- have also used rusted bolts and nuts found on the street -- there is something fun about infusing an odd relic into a design! This book looks very intriguing!

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  7. Sharon5/12/2014

    Great giveaway!! I use antique keys for some of my projects :)
    craftecowgirl@gmail.com

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  8. I onced made a scented summer necklace using five beaded beads I stuffed with hay, dried rose petals and dried lemon balm leaves, representing different summer memories (as did the colour scheme and design, which was inspired by blooming horse chestnut trees).

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  9. What an inspiring giveaway! I stuffed a beaded bead with saran wrap.

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  10. Love Diane's work and am anxious to see this book. I can't say I've used anything wacky so this might be good inspiration. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  11. Anonymous5/12/2014

    Vraiment très recherché impossible de le réaliser sans ce magnifique livre les idées me manquent
    Maryvonne

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  12. Anonymous5/12/2014

    I've used dice, domino's, scrabble tiles.. horse hair!

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  13. I'm not a seed bead girl, but this book looks very interesting. I'd love to win it.
    I put lots of found objects in my designs (buttons, buckles, keys), but the "wackiest" would have to be a clip from my grandfather's overalls strap (he was a farmer).

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  14. Would love to win this book! Thanks for having the giveaway! Wackiest thing I used is beads I made from my cats fur (washed and then matted into balls) for a pair of earrings :) ~Deb

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  15. Anonymous5/12/2014

    I love using found objects in my art and jewelry, and I've been wanting to get into bead embroidery more! This looks like a fabulous book that I'd love to win. I have painted pine cone "petals" with acrylic paints & made them into charms. I've made pendants and charms from walnut shells & wool, brass washers, brass furniture hardware, thimbles, car engine parts, bullet casings, game pieces and more. I've made earrings with toy jacks, old buttons, watch gears, and salvaged metal and scrap fabric. Thank you for the opportunity! - Diana C Keever

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  16. Anonymous5/12/2014

    would love this!! thanks for the opportunity, Carmen
    aroundcv@sbcglobal.net

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  17. Love Diane Hyde! The wackiest thing I ever included (on a Diane-inspired piece, BTW) was my grandfather's gold tie tack proclaiming his membership in the teacher's union!

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  18. I made a pair of earrings using a piece of leather that I got from a label that came with a jacket.

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  19. I bead embroidered around an old bridge from one of my husband's violins, and I've strung a necklace on an old violin string (harder to get those suckers to bend nicely into a crimp than you might think!) I saw this book in a store and have it on my wish list...

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  20. I used an oyster shell - using the ugly outside of the shell and not the pretty inside.
    I find this book very interesting, especially what was done with a spoon.
    ~cryssT

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  21. Omg, this is so funny...but I was teaching a sexual education class for some high school kids and since I try to incorporate my beaded projects into my everyday life I decided to make a funny yet tasteful condom necklace. Believe it or not it was a hit. By the way...I love your blog!!

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  22. Looks like a great book. I haven't used any yet, but I am saving fabric from loved but worn out clothes of mine, to eventually incorporate in some of my own jewelry. I don't know yet how I will do it. Perhaps by sowing tiny cushions to be used as beads or something like that fabric cage Erin Prais-Hintz had made for the latest Bead Soup Blog Party (I thought that was excellent btw). I might have used slightly unusual materials for stringing at times, like a shoe lace or something.

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  23. Gorgeous, would love to win.. Thank you for the opportunity!

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  24. this book looks so cool Id love to try all the ideas out

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  25. Rubber O-rings and locking washers with spokes on them from the hardware store are probably 2 of my oddest inclusions. But I'm always looking for things to include! My hubby even picked up a single earring he found in the grocery parking lot and brought it home. It's waiting for the right project...

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  26. This isn't terribly wacky but I found these adorable tiny padlocks and hung them on a ring with an antique key and other eclectic stuff! This looks like great book!

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