Beading with Gemstones: Beautiful Jewelry, Simple Techniques

Beading doesn’t get more elegant than this, with such gleaming gems as amethyst, quartz, and lapis lazuli. Valérie MacCarthy—whose work graces the pages of high fashion magazines around the world—has created a magnificent collection of sophisticated, unique jewelry. The 30 projects include bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings, and they tend to the playful and colorful. In addition, an entire section is dedicated to the different stones and their properties, including their spiritual and healing aspects. But what will really entice intermediate jewelers, beaders, and other general crafters are the pieces themselves: a balloon ring, festooned with seed pearls; chandelier earrings with sparkling, dangling stones; and a fireworks necklace of citrine, peridot, and apatite. Introductory chapters present all the gems, tools, and techniques used in the pieces.

A Selection of the Crafter's Choice Book Club.

Beading doesn’t get more elegant than this, with such gleaming gems as amethyst, quartz, and lapis lazuli. Valérie MacCarthy—whose work graces the pages of high fashion magazines around the world—has created a magnificent collection of sophisticated, unique jewelry. The 30 projects include bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings, and they tend to the playful and colorful. In addition, an entire section is dedicated to the different stones and their properties, including their spiritual and healing aspects. But what will really entice intermediate jewelers, beaders, and other general crafters are the pieces themselves: a balloon ring, festooned with seed pearls; chandelier earrings with sparkling, dangling stones; and a fireworks necklace of citrine, peridot, and apatite. Introductory chapters present all the gems, tools, and techniques used in the pieces.

Valérie MacCarthy has been making jewery since childhood but only recently rediscovered her love for creating colorful and organic earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Soon her creations were being worn on the runways of New York Fashion week and gracing the pages of high fashion magazines from here to Japan. In 2002 she officially established Valérie M Designs. An opera singer by trade, Valérie continues to fulfill the growing demands for her jewelry while appearing on renowned stages all over the world. When she's not globe-trotting, Valérie lives in New York City.