Overview
Celebrating the culture of South Africa’s indigenous Zulu population, this craft book showcases 25 stunning projects using dozens of previously unpublished beadwork techniques. The projects include netted diamond earrings, a zigzag chain, a netted triangle and swag bracelet, and a Zulu wedding necklace and are illustrated with easy-to-follow diagrams and helpful hints. Along with novel techniques for netting, wrapping, fringing, and braiding, the history of the Zulu people is also presented, accompanied by gorgeous full-color photography of the region.Synopsis
Celebrating the culture of South Africa’s indigenous Zulu population, this craft book showcases 25 stunning projects using dozens of previously unpublished beadwork techniques. The projects include netted diamond earrings, a zigzag chain, a netted triangle and swag bracelet, and a Zulu wedding necklace and are illustrated with easy-to-follow diagrams and helpful hints. Along with novel techniques for netting, wrapping, fringing, and braiding, the history of the Zulu people is also presented, accompanied by gorgeous full-color photography of the region.
About.com Guide to Beadwork
When Diane Fitzgerald writes a book about beadwork, you expect it to be informative, inspirational and beautiful. This book meets all three criteria.
Editorials
Bead Society of Great Britain Newsletter
An interesting insight into Zulu beadwork. The patterns, as ever with Diane, have clear instructions, diagrams and useful hints and tips.About.com Guide to Beadwork
When Diane Fitzgerald writes a book about beadwork, you expect it to be informative, inspirational and beautiful. This book meets all three criteria.Bead Magazine
It's a stunner: her best yet. This book is a marvelous illustration of the inventiveness of beaders and what can be done with those beautiful little seed beads.Library Journal
This is an excellent book on a little-known topic; suitable for public and academic libraries.South Jersey Bead Society
This is a fabulous book.KLIATT
Zulu beadwork has been studied, written about and exhibited for cultural, esthetic and historic reasons. No written instructions for Zulu beadwork existed before Fitzgerald wrote this book. She has created names for many of the stitches. The projects include netted diamond earrings, zigzag chain, netted triangle, swag bracelet and many more designs. Beautiful color photographs show the finished product, and full-color diagrams provide detailed illustrations for each technique required to produce the stunning geometric jewelry. An introductory section provides background about the Zulu women and their beadwork, an inside look at the importance of beads in this South African culture, and many different beading techniques. Part how-to, part history, part travelogue, this is a beading journey in a book! Diane Fitzgerald is the author of eight different beading books and has traveled extensively to South Africa to study Zulu and Xhosa bead work. Any bead worker would love this book. Reviewer: Shirley ReisSchool Library Journal
The Zulu people of South Africa have a tradition of beadwork dating back to the 11th century. Expert beader Fitzgerald (Netted Beadwork) analyzed traditional and contemporary pieces and found that Zulu beadwork uses weaving techniques different from European-style beading. She diagrams these beading stitches for her original projects based on Zulu pieces. The projects are mostly uncomplicated bracelets drawn from elements of larger pieces. This is an excellent book on a little-known topic; suitable for public and academic libraries.
—Constance Ashmore Fairchild
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