Resources for iCrafters

Today my sister came home with this book from the library: Chinese, Celtic and Ornamental Knots for Beaded Jewellery by Suzen Millodot.

Suzen grew up in new London England and trained to be an optometrist. In her travels with her husband, she fell in love with ornamental, Chinese and Celtic knots. She has taught in Montreal, Cardiff and Hong Kong. She now lives and works in Wales, by the sea.

The book is designed systematically. The instructions are clear, with good-sized type and detailed pictures. For each knot, Suzen gives the history and meanings of the patterns in different cultures.

The Pan Chang knot (left) is a Chinese knot. Pan Chang means endless in Chinese, and the sound of the name is similar to the sound for happiness. So the Pan Chang knot represents happiness without end.

The Celtic Flat Turk’s Head knot (right) has a six-pointed star at its centre, which is also known as the Seal of Solomon.

 

Left is a finished Dragonfly brooch, using the Virtue knot.

Here are the particulars of the book:
Title: Chinese, Celtic and Ornamental Knots for Beaded Jewellery
Author: Suzen Millodot
Publisher: Search Press, Wellwood, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Year: 2012
ISBN 978-1-84448-814-8
Dewey decimal system in the library: 745.55942 Mil

Suzen also has a great website. And a YouTube channel with actual demonstrations!

Whether you’d like to learn to knot like Suzen, or just enjoy looking at the gorgeous pictures, this book will make your day!

Remember to write and ask for permission to use any images from a website or book! I’ve found that publishing companies/site owners are usually very generous when they know why you want the images, and you give credit.

Do you have a book or any other resource that has meant a lot to you, or really helped you? Let’s share them here.

Photo Credits: The pictures here are reproduced with permission of Search Press.