References for Rockhounds Designs and Patterns

Design Language brings fresh insight to students and practicing designers by examining the words they use. This compact volume presents 100 keywords with background etymology and commentary. Whether the word is as familiar as "edge" or perhaps new to you like "synesthesia", you'll find yourself moving easily from one entry level to the next, intrigued by the rich layers of meaning you discover. Teachers of design will appreciate the brief, clear and inclusive presentation. The dynamic layout invites notation, making the book a starting point for personal vocabulary, both visual and literal. The stitched binding is tough enough for years of studio use, and the compact size will fit into a toolbox or pocket. Design Language understands that a book can't teach design. Instead, it helps people learn by using vocabulary to explore style, form and composition. Hard cover, 4" x 7", 188 pages.

Indian Designs by Connie Asch provides a collection and samples of traditional Native American designs which were published primarily for silversmiths and jewelry makers, but which also have broad applications for baskets, pottery, carving, lapidary, beadwork, wind bells, weaving, quilting, stitchery, fabric painting, clothing, doll and fetish making, and numerous other crafts projects.

Here you will find many pleasing traditional motifs and eye-catching ideas for designing and ornamenting bracelets, rings, watch bands, bolo ties, pendants, earrings and necklaces with geometrics, animals, the elements, story scenes, yei figures and more.

Indian Designs by David and Jean Villasenor illustrates Native American pottery, basket and ceremonial designs which are primarily adaptations from the rich fabric of Acoma, Hopi, Hohokam, Miembres, and Navajo art and crafts of the southwestern United States. Several Central American designs of Aztec derivation are also presented. The inspirational and idea germinating designs in this book are readily adapted to silverwork and jewelry as well as beadwork, weaving, quilting, stitchery, fabric painting, clothing, doll and fetish making, and numerous other crafts projects. Brief explanations as to the cultural symbolism of many of these Native American designs is provided.

From petroglyphs to modern Native American art, decorative designs have played an important role in expressing the ideas and beliefs of those who have made the American Southwest their home for thousands of years. The prehistoric Hohokam and Mimbres people used design motifs in rock art and pottery while the present day Hopi and Navajo use them in the arts and crafts of today.

Although many of the symbols and patterns found on pottery, baskets, rugs and jewelry have histories and meanings assigned to them, many do not. Southwest Indian Designs is an attempt to answer some of the more commonly asked questions and to provide valuable insight into those designs that do not have specific meanings. Included are symbols and explanations of Zuni, Navajo, Hopi, Tewa, Acoma, Pueblo, Mimbres and Hohokam designs. Author Mark Bahti has recreated close to 200 symbols and their variations making this an invaluable guide to those interested in the art, history, and culture of the Indians of the Southwest.

Channel Jewelry Patterns Basic B-1 contains simpler channel patterns suitable for beginning channel jewelry makers and smaller pieces of jewelry. Included in this volume are 13 patterns including two birds, teddy bear, a penguin, an owl, a pelican, a swan, a dog, an abstract tear drop, a horse, abstract earrings, a humming bird, and a butterfly. Soft cover, 8.5" x 11", 4 pages.

Channel Jewelry Patterns Basic B-2 contains simpler channel patterns suitable for beginning channel jewelry makers and smaller pieces of jewelry. Included in this volume are 13 patterns including a geometric buckle, three abstract pendants, two owls, abstract earrings, a four leaf clover, a Mexican figure, a butterfly on mushroom, a duck, a musical note, and an abstract bola slide. Soft cover, 8.5" x 11", 4 pages.

Channel Jewelry Patterns Intermediate I-1 contains simpler channel patterns suitable for intermediate to advanced channel jewelry makers and medium to larger size pieces of jewelry. Included in this volume are 13 patterns including a floral necklace, a peacock, a rose bud, a bird, a cat, a geometric bola slide and cord tips, a rose, an owl, bird earrings, a thunderbird, a stag, and an eagle. Soft cover, 8.5" x 11", 4 pages.

Channel Jewelry Patterns Intermediate I-2 contains channel patterns suitable for intermediate to advanced channel jewelry makers and medium to larger size pieces of jewelry. Included in this volume are 13 patterns including a trout, a thunderbird, a geometric belt buckle, a hummingbird, a cardinal, a quail, a roadrunner, an owl, a parrot, an abstact pendant, a peakcock, a rose, and a kachina. Soft cover, 8.5" x 11", 4 pages.

Channel Jewelry Patterns Intermediate I-3 contains channel patterns suitable for intermediate to advanced channel jewelry makers and medium to larger size pieces of jewelry. Included in this volume are 13 patterns including two birds, a ram, a parrot, a rose, an elephant, an Indian, an abstract necklace, two abstract belt buckles, a panda, a swan, and a thunderbird. Soft cover, 8.5" x 11", 4 pages.

Channel Jewelry Patterns Intermediate I-4 contains channel patterns suitable for intermediate to advanced channel jewelry makers and medium to larger size pieces of jewelry. Included in this volume are 13 patterns including two horses, an abstract pendant, owl earrings, a ram, a goldfish, a hummingbird, a squirrel, a sea horse pin, a geometric buckle, a duck, a pair of love birds and a dog.. Soft cover, 8.5" x 11", 4 pages.

Table of Contents

Bob Keller