Review
"If youre a beading-book collector like I am, Maggie Meisters Classical Elegance will be next on your list. Loaded with 20 gorgeous projects and beautiful color photos, this book offers a challenge to experienced beaders looking to take it to the next level. Chapter two is a workshop of 10 stitches: peyote, ladder stitch, brick stitch, square stitch, herringbone, right-angle weave, Nepal chain, St. Petersburg chain, and beaded backstitch, as well as a helpful tutorial on combining stitches. Many of the designs are comprised of two or more components, and Maggie suggests using the individual components as a jumping-off point to create something else." - Bead&Button magazine, December 2011 issue “Maggie Meister’s Classical Elegance is a wonderful book that belongs in the library of all serious seed-bead artists.” - Cynthia Rutledge “Maggie Meister has compiled a brilliant compendium that’s bound to inspire all of us. Each of the 20 remarkable projects is broken down into crystal-clear, step-by-step instructions accompanied by beautiful photos and spectacular illustrations. Meister has captured the spirit of historical form and design in a modern interpretation of the ancient craft of beadwork. A must-have for any bead library.” - Laura McCabe "Maggie Meister’s Classical Elegance is filled with sumptuous designs that are reminiscent of a museum collection of rare and exquisite jewelry." - Craft Gossip "The book is exquisite. Im inspired." - The Bead Dreamer "Yes, it is THAT GOOD. You just cant beat the projects she offers. There are 20 designs in this book, a nice balance of earrings, necklaces and cuff style bracelets. For the intermediate to advanced seed beader, this book will be a a joy to play with." - Sig Wynne-Evans “This is atruly remarkable book. Precise instructions and skillfully drawn diagrams complete each project. Nothing is left out. Her book is a creative adventure.” - NanC Meinhardt "(A) high-quality, comprehensive tutorial ... for someone interested in honing or expanding their beading skills. A lovely book." - Caryn Rupert on York Blog “Maggie Meister takes you on a creative voyage. Maggie perfectly catches the essence of great historical artwork in her beadwork masterpieces.” - Sabine Lippert “All of the jewelry I thought to be very beautiful, and I think the general concept of the book - connecting bead weaving to classical ancient elements - works wonderfully. I would suggest this book more for intermediate level beadweavers. There is lots of inspiration here for the novice, but for those with experience, I feel the projects are very doable.” [5-star review] - About.com Jewelry Making "Create some masterpieces at home with Maggie Meisters Classical Elegance. Meister gives a good reference to fall back to on how to do the many functional stitches: peyote, ladder, brick, square, herringbone, right angle weave, Nepal chain, St. Petersburg chain, backstitch, and combining stitches. Meisters ability to replicate an object from mosaics or classic architecture into a wearable piece of jewelry is inspirational, and her Classical Elegance is recommended to both novices in beadmaking as well as those experienced in jewelry creation." - Renee Shelton “Gorgeous projects and solid technical information ... this book is inspirational in all the right ways!” - Beading Arts "In Maggie Meisters Classical Elegance, beadwork designer Maggie Meister shares 20 unique jewelry projects, from sparkling cuffs and dramatic earrings to elaborate brooches and garden-inspired necklaces. Even the most complex beading patterns are made achievable, thanks to clear diagrams and instructional text that breaks each technique down into basic steps. To create the designs for this book, Meister drew upon inspiration from a number unexpected sources - including Moroccan tilework, Greek poetry, and Spanish architecture - and it shows. Each of the pieces featured in this book is a blend of classic beadwork elements with bold patterns and distinctive details for a truly eye-catching and original result. If youre looking for a fresh take on beaded jewelry that is both inspiring and informative, then Maggie Meisters Classical Elegance is a must-have for your creative library." - CRESCENDOh blog“I greatly enjoyed reading this lavishly illustrated treasure. I also enjoyed the added variety of options and ideas she gave with each design, for example, her pendant that could be re-sized for earrings or multiplied for a bracelet. In the introductory section on stitches she included valuable information on how to combine or switch between types of stitches. This is something that is not even mentioned in beginning beading books. Her Basic Beading Kit will be a starting point for all my future projects. Her ornate closures were in keeping with each piece she designed, adding to the historic feel. I tried the St. Petersburg chain and found her instructions well written and the graphics easy to follow. Just looking through the book and seeing the objects she was able to interpret in beads and the gallery of even more elaborate pieces inspired me.” - Linda Feinberg, Chicago Metal Arts Guild blog, March 2012
About the Author
Maggie Meisters designs came to fruition when her family moved to Naples in 1998 and her lifelong passions in history, archeology, and beads merged. She teaches workshops in the United States, Italy, Germany, and Turkey, and her work has been exhibited in Milan and Capri. Maggies designs have been published in various publications such as Beadwork, Bead & Button, RavennAntica, and Masters: Beadweaving (Lark Books, 2008). She lives in Norfolk, Virginia. Learn more about her at www.amphoradesigns.net