Product Description

For the ancient Egyptians the beetle symbolized life, rebirth, and immortality, and for centuries, artisans have used the scarab motif to adorn everything from textiles and jewelry to the tombs of kings. This definitive collection of beetle-themed designs offers instructions for using the 17th century art of raised stumpwork embroidery, the metallic threads of goldwork, and glittering beadwork to create lifelike designs. Hundreds of color and black-and-white illustrations will teach embroiderers all about the craft: tools and equipment needed, special beading techniques, creating dimensional designs with appliqué, mounting their images, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #437556 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-28
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.21" h x 8.36" w x 11.26" l, 3.76 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 432 pages

From Booklist
For anyone except a scientist, it is difficult at best to equate bugs and beetles with beauty. Yet for Australian needleworker Nicholas, this book is the culmination of a decades-long fascination with an insect that is more than 240 million years old. Using elegant illustrations, she details the anatomy first, then the various iterations of this many-legged bug, from its employment in jewelry to its collectability as part of a specimen box. Most impressive are the more than 70 patterns, including beetles executed in goldwork, applique, stump work, and surface embroidery--alone, in pairs, and posing with snails, pomegranates, crocus, clover, and a host of other natural beings. Perhaps the most charming? A series of beetle-shaped handbags, including a scarab pouch and a satin evening bag. At the end are very thorough explanations of stitches, techniques, and equipment; a bibliography and further reading; and stump-work suppliers and kit information. Barbara Jacobs
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