So I spent the last 4 hours trying to upgrade my WordPress to the latest version.  Thank goodness for backups.  We are back to an older version.  Why can’t it just “do it” like all the other programs that have to be updated?  Grrr

Well, I was up till the wee hours last night reading through my copy of “Ceramic Bead Jewelry” by Jenniver Heynen.  Well worth the price.  She uses low fire clay, and thoroughly reviews all the steps necessary to create the beads.  She also addressed some issues that I’ve had trouble with in the past.  The beads are gorgeous.  Not all of the projects are my taste, but so easily adaptable. So, my first impression was right, 2 thumbs up!

Anyone who knows me can tell you: I’m a book junkie.  I just received a copy of Maggie Price’s Painting with Pastels.  I was skeptical, because a lot of the pastel books are quite basic, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  It covers a lot of techniques, including underpaintings and preparing your own surfaces.  There is enough information so that a beginner can get started with pastels, but there are some advanced techniques that an experienced artist can experiment with.  It covers landscape, still life, animals, and portrait paintings.  There are also contributions from 9 other professional artists.  I’m fairly sure that my copy is going to end up battered and worn.  Definitely worth the cost.