New Bead Books!

I got two new bead books from Yes Asia.

First, ビーズ-ビ Vol. 18. I don't like Beads Bee as much as Bead Book because they don't have as many patterns as the other (and I don't think their documentation is as easy to figure out,) but there's an interview with Yoko Yamada of Beans-Okinawa
Can't read it, natch, but there are two of her patterns included.

I also got ビーズで作る、クチュールジュエリー〈2〉, which I believe translates to "making couture beads jewelery" by Yoko Shimizu. The cover has intrigued me for a long time, and none of my eBay vendors ever carried it so I've never been able to get an idea of the design style inside. It's a beautiful book, beautifully photographed and with clear documentation. There's also little essays by her sprinkled throughout which, of course, I can't enjoy, but it's clear from the book design she's a rather artsy sort. ;)

In other BIG NEWS I have found a US vendor that carries some Japanese components I have been searching for for . . . well, since I started this! Specifically perforated ring findings and mounted CZs. I can even get them in antique finishes! The only drawback is that they want you to order by email, but hopefully they will have a real "online shop" soon.