Beading Books
From LoveToKnow Crafts
There are tons of beading books on the market, and they are a wonderful source for learning about beading and picking up new techniques. Almost universally, beading books are lavishly illustrated and include a lot of details about techniques and projects. Because there are so many beading books on the market, however, it can be difficult to find the best ones to meet your needs. Here's a rundown of some of my favorite new and recent beading books.
The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques
by Sara Withers and Stephanie Burnham, Running Press
The title says it all when it comes to The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques. From basic threading and knotting to elaborate bead weaving, embroidery and wire work, this book has it all.
There are usually four or five pictures a page to illustrate the technique being taught. The photos actually show someone completing the various steps, so it is very easy to follow.
Someone who has never tried one of these techniques could easily pick up this book, follow the directions and complete a basic project. And when they're ready to move beyond the basics, a galley of finished works will give readers inspiration to try their hand at some true bead art.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who's even a little curious about different beading techniques they might not have tried yet. This book takes the fear out of some pretty fancy techniques.
Simply Beautiful Beaded Jewelry
by Heidi Boyd, North Light Books
If you're a person who enjoys crafting jewelry, you're going to love Simply Beautiful Beaded Jewelry. This book provides patterns for 50 different projects, from hair accessories to necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
Variations in color or bead type are offered for several of the patterns, showing readers that it's easy to make such patterns your own.
These projects cover a wide range of styles and beads, from fancy pearls and crystals to plain glass beads you can find in a mixed lot container in your local crafts store.
In fact, many of the projects are based on name-brand beads that most crafters will be able to find in their hometown or on a million different sites on the Internet. That means this is one book you will actually be able to recreate the patterns from. Sometimes books and magazines take so much effort to make beautiful designs they don't worry about whether the average crafter will be able to find (and afford) the supplies used to make the projects.
For a good overview of beaded jewelry that is accessible both in terms of materials and skill level, this book can't be beat.
Contemporary Bead and Wire Jewelry
by Nathalie Mornu and Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott, Lark Books
For more experienced beaders who have a knack for wire work, Contemporary Bead and Wire Jewelry is a beautiful inspiration.
If you aren't already an expert wire worker, you'll still find inspiration in the beautiful designs in this book. I couldn't make a single project in this book, but I couldn't resist giving it a mention for those who are skilled at twisting and turning wire into works of art.
These projects are stunning, but there are few illustrations of the actual techniques used to make them (there are lots of words, however). That makes this book less than ideal for someone just starting out in wire work, other than to drool over. And that's fine. Not every book needs to be for beginners. It gives us all something to aspire to.
Beading for the Soul: Inspired Designs from 23 Contemporary Artists
by Deborah Cannarella, Interweave Press
Throughout history, beads have had a special significance. They have been used as currency, for healing, and simply as a way to bring comfort and joy. Beading for the Soul acknowledges the power of beads and how they might be used for protection, healing, strength, good, prayer, bonding and remembrance.
The projects include such things as totem bags, a beaded journal, necklaces, pins, mandalas, icons and headbands. Though they would be difficult to reproduce exactly as presented in the book, that's kind of the point.
These designs are meant to offer suggestions for how beads might be used to create meaningful projects, but a piece is only meaningful if it has meaning to you. Sources are provided for many of the beads used, but you would do better to find beads that speak to your soul to make these projects more meaningful.
These lovely projects will get you thinking about the power of beads and why we should all be giving beaded gifts to our friends for every known occasion!
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