Book excerpt: Celebrate the amazing evolution of beadwork from a simple craft to expressive art. Every stunning sculpture, vessel, figure, loomed and woven work, free-form installation, and piece of jewelry shown here in glorious color photos is gallery-quality and thoroughly unique. Jennifer Maestre's intricate, swooping pencil-point bead sculptures explore form, motion, and space. A. Kimberlin Blackburn has fashioned lush Hawaiian Island scenes out of glass beads and hand-carved wood. The ever-innovative David K. Chatt has entries ranging from the pointed commentary, "White Men in Suits," to vivid jewelry. For a little humor, try Valeria Harlow's masterful "Toe Mangler," a testament to every woman who has ever suffered in uncomfortable shoes. This amazing collection is truly state-of-the-art.