Native American Beadwork, by Theresa Flores Geary, is another wonderful book I value for my personal library. Ms. Geary has been creating beadwork since the age of 14. She learned the art and appreciation of beadwork from her mother, Anna Flores, and other elders from the San Carlos Apache tribe.
Theresa is a retired clinical psychologist and has served as a family psychologist for the Pascua Yaqui tribe in Arizona. She is a pioneer in the use of bead therapy to help people with physical and psychological conditions. When making one of the little beaded baskets she give detailed instructions for in her book, I can see very well why bead therapy would be of great benefit to one with stress in their life. Beading the little basket was very relaxing and enjoyable for me.
The projects and techniques Ms. Geary presents in this book are from the Southwestern United States. The contemporary items she has chosen to include in her book are very reminiscent of the beautiful traditional patterns and colors of the Native Americans in the Southwest.
Easy to follow instructions, beautiful color photos, and pictures of details make these projects quick and fun. I was so impressed with the way Ms. Geary's instructions helped me through my first project, a small netted basket, that I started a list in the back of the book of which projects I want to try. The list just keeps growing every time I open and read about another lovely project. The medicine bag is to be my next project and I already have the materials I need for that.
Patterns for items like the medicine bag are provided in the book, as well as graphs for flat work pieces using different stitches like the Peyote, Brick, and loom or square stitches. Detailed drawings of how to do all the stitches are very helpful. The Beadwork Glossary defines and gives color photos of everything a beginner needs to know and is a good reference for even the advanced beader.
The pins, like the Kokopelli pin, earrings, and other jewelry are delightful and will make excellent gift items for those you love, or for yourself. The netted gourd projects will produce some very unique gifts or holiday decorations.
Ms. Geary also provide some history and facts about the culture of the Southwest along with each project. The Corn-Stitch Earrings are delightfully pretty and will be great fun to do. Key rings, chili peppers, possible bags, all kinds of items will be found in this book. You will be happy to add it to your personal library.
*******
I purchased my copy of the book from Amazon. You can check your local bookstore, or for your convenience, I have provided the link below for you:
