5 comments about Getting Started Stringing Beads (Getting Started series).

1. This is a great book for learning good techniques for selecting and stringing beads, with comprehensive instructions on all the basics including stringing, crimping, knotting, wireworking and much, much more. Also includes lots of great projects with full instructions. Follow the steps and finish up with a wonderful piece of jewellery that you can wear with pride or give to someone as a lovely gift. This is a small book, but packed with information. I love it! I'm a much older beginner to beading and have found it invaluable.



2. I bought this book for my daughter who has been teaching herself to make bead jewelry. This is a good beginner book; it describes tools, techniques and gives nice examples of jewelry to make. I would recommend it.



3. I'm no professional beader. But I do enjoy creating beautiful jewelry to give as gifts. As a busy businesswoman, I've found that my hand-made gifts mean more to my friends than store-purchased, since my time is probably my most valuable commodity.
   
   Anyway, I probably own a dozen beading books. But this book is the one I use whenever I need to go back and refer to something. Besides good descriptions, the photos help me a lot - I guess I'm a visual learner. ;o) The pieces illustrated are basic but classic - very much my style.



4. On the surface of it, an ultra-simple, ultra-plain beading book sounds like a fine idea. After all, there's so much you can learn that it can be extremely daunting to the beginner. A simple introductory book is less threatening. And in large part, this works in Jean Campbell's Getting Started Stringing Beads. Unfortunately, beading is a complex hobby, and there's no good way to get around that, particularly if you want to cover all the bases. Going with simple inevitably means leaving things out that you really shouldn't. While the basic information and projects are certainly useful, I didn't end up feeling as though I'd gotten all that far into what I needed to know---and didn't feel ready to tackle the complex virtual aisles of an online beading catalog.
   
   Best for dabblers or for people who get easily overwhelmed when learning a new craft---probably perfect for those folks.



5. This is a great book. I was totally new at stringing beads, and knowing which tools I needed to purchase to begin making my own jewelry. This book has wonderful illustrations to walk one through a project. I made my shopping list, and have made two 3-piece sets of jewelry using tips from this very informative book.

5 comments about Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry: Techniques for Creating Dimensional Necklaces and Bracelets.

1. Now that I own the book, I agree with everyone who gave it a five star rating. I had to laugh at a few of the "not favorable" reviews, because one reviewer had obviously NOT READ the book, how else could she have missed the ring-size charts on page 11. A couple of other reviewers had also obviously not looked at the description of the book. Mr. Plumlee is an expert on ancient chains and in this book he concentrated on showing how to make variations of the Byzantine Weave. THAT is what the book is about, and David does it brilliantly. One reviewer wrote that they were not interested in knowing how to make rings. Excuse me, but no serious chainmaille artist just buys rings, we do make our own in most metals. The book is also not exactly a "Beginning Chainmaille" book, even though it is possible for a complete novice to make the Byzantine Weave from David's superb instructions. You just have to look at the pictures and then READ the text along with the pic.....Duh!!!!! To prove my point, I showed the book to my adult daughter who had never made chainmaille. In 30 minutes she had made about half of a beautiful bracelet.
   Five starts to Mr. Plumlee for an excellent book.



2. Whether you're just starting out or have been creating chainmail jewelry for a while, Plumlee's first book provides solid introductory information-from an overview of included chain styles to the tools, materials, and techniques needed to complete them-along with plenty of inspirational photos of original chain patterns. In addition, the techniques for creating clasps and earwires are easy to follow and produce great results. Some of the photos of gold wire seemed a bit green in my copy, but this is just a cosmetic issue that could have be corrected by the printer. Solid technique and instruction here. [...].



3. I absolutely love this book. It gives you step by step instructions. It also shows you every tool needed. I appreciate the cultural background given at the beginning of the book. The only problem I had was with the time it takes to complete a piece. I stick with it because I love the outcome.



4. All the chains used are variations of the Byzantine style - but he does some really cool stuff within that narrow chain window.



5. Love this book! It was recommended to me and I would recommend it to anyone interested in chainmaille. Lots of ideas and great directions.
   Jeanne, NJ

5 comments about Bead Romantique: Elegant Beadweaving Designs.

1. The theme of the book is romantic, almost Victorian looking pieces. Most of the supplies called for are really easy to find in local bead stores, and the rest can be found searching online.
   The beginning of the book has some basic information about the supplies used, including what the author likes and dislikes about some threads and needles, and what the best application is for them.
   Then you get into the rest of the book, the projects. They are stunning. They range from very easy and elegant chain and wirework projects, simple beadwoven projects with some lovely surface embellishment, and then some incredibly dramatic looking bead woven pieces. The color photographs are inspiring and the instructions and diagrams are very well written. Many of the projects are meant for the intermediate beader.
   Don't be daunted though, the back of the book has stitch diagrams, and the text of each project is well written step by step.
   My favorite thing about the projects is that a few of them combine techniques. Chain as an accent on a beadwoven necklace for example. Some of her designs are completely unexpected pairings of techniques and beads that turn out looking amazing.
   Like I said, most supplies can be found easily at a good local bead store, and some projects are entirely made of easily found supplies, which is always nice in a book like this. The V Scallop necklace for example, you may have all the supplies you need on hand, or be inspired by it to make something similar with the supplies you do have on hand.
   My personal favorite project in the whole book is the intricate motif constructed Victorian Diamond Cuff. It looks difficult, but it's actually made of diamond shaped motifs that look easy enough one at a time.
   If you're an intermediate beader looking for inspiration and ideas, or a beginning beader looking for a challenge, I recommend this book.



2. I am as addicted to books as I am to beading! Two of my favorite books are by Carol Wilcox Wells and though I have purchased many books since hers have been published, this is the first I would rank as highly as I rank hers. It is filled with inspiring, beautiful, and most importantly, ORIGINAL designs. It is a book that is a wonderful addition to an intermediate to advanced beader's library. The projects are fun to create and the directions are clear and easy to follow. I liked this book so much I bought 3 more to "gift" my beading friends with!!



3. I would recommend this book to all beaders, if only for the eye candy. The jewelry is amazing and the photography is fantastic. I haven't made anything from the patterns as yet, but they look to be very well written and sensible.



4. I am a beginner in jewelry making, and at this point unsure which part of it to specialize on (I am leaning towards wireworking, but this book looked too beautiful to pass up). This book has so many gorgeous pieces that you can easily customize as you get better. It is definitely a bit of a challenge for a beginner, but with a bit of patience and research, I think you will be proud of what you can accomplish with this book.



5. The book had nice designs, but a lot of variations of the same thing. Not what I expected from this author.

5 comments about Beading with Cabochons: Simple Techniques for Beautiful Jewelry.

1. I have been beading for many years, but I have never tried beading with cabochons before. This was the perfect book to pick up and learn. The author goes through every step thoroughly and with color photographs, with a chapter on each possible part to embellish. The one thing I think buyers should be aware of is that all her designs use a backing that you stitch beads onto. However, that was not a deterent to me at all, and I can't wait to get my hands on some cabochons to try out these beautiful designs! I think the cab designs that she gives will greatly enhance my jewelry and give me a completely new skill to use.



2. Wow, this is a wonderful book of how to...from start to finish you will have all that you need at your fingertips. This book was sugested as a go-along with the book I was set on buying and I think it was great advice to have both. The directions are clear and step by step. The projects are fundamental and easy to build on. Once you do the different stitches, you are all set to make your work personal and as elaborate as you desire. There are loads of pictures all through the book as you are guided to do edge finishes and fringes and even necklace attachments. I am a novice 'seed-beader' and have acquired a lot of confidence from this book "Beading with Cabochons" and am now working on an elaborate project.



3. Love this book! It is by far the best book that explains step by step on how to construct your bead embroidery jewelry creations. Fabulous book!



4. There is no praise high enough for this book! I made a flawless, beautiful cabochon necklace on the first try using this book, a necklace of quality good enough to gift or sell. And!! As if the book itself were not a good enough bargain, I emailed Ms. Eakin with a question, and received a very instructive reply. A nice person who knows her field, is willing to share what she knows -- and has. I wish her much success, and for the rest of us, I hope she writes another book!



5. I bought this book to satisfy my curiosity about the beautiful piece on the cover. Little did I know how many other beautiful pieces were inside. It did not take me long to learn the techniques for creating my own pieces. Six cabochons later I'm thrilled that I bought and read this book

5 comments about Mastering Beadwork: A Comprehensive Guide to Off-loom Techniques.

1. I have been an avid beadwork artist since the age of 12. Im 33 now, and have leared LOTS of stitches, techniques, and variations--from all over the world.
   This book is fantastic! It has a lot of great project, most of them are somewhat advanced i suppose. Very clear pictures, and it is spiral bound, which makes it really easy to follow the steps if you need to.
   I highly reccommend this book it truly is a wealth of projects, and you can use it for inspiration too.
   10 stars!



2. This is not a book for beginners. For example, the first project uses basket-weave crimp end findings and a ball and socket closure and requires the beader to teach herself how to solder the jump rings closed. Yikes, that is a lot to ask. Most projects have incomplete directions, enough to get started, but not the step-by-step details needed for the entire project. Illustrations are not clearly marked with color or arrows to indicate the direction in which to progress. Difficult to follow.



3. Myself being a newbie to beading this a "must" book to have.
   
   Masting Beadwork by Carol Cyper (http://www.carolcypher.com/) is a well written, detailed, colorful hardcover, coiled seam beading book.
   The first few chapters walk you through as to what you need & what you need to know. Directions in the book are easy to follow along, colorful photographs, with detailed directions.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone who is new to beading or anyone who wants to experiment with some new patterns in beading.



4. If you've mastered peyote, brick stitch, square stitch and want to take your beading to new projects then this is the book for you. If you are just starting out this book will give you the confidence to try new things. It is concise, clear and a joy to use by beginners and those of us who have been beading for years.



5. There are a lot of great books out there about how to bead that cover many of the same techniques. What makes this one stand out is the whimsy in the projects. They are gorgeous, well explained, and in bright popping colors. It's a fun book.
   The introduction to the book explains how to use it to learn beadwork from the very beginning, and encourage you to play. To follow the instructions for the projects, but also to look at the end of each project at the "Try this" to do something new. It explains the tools and supplies very well, with color pictures. There is also a glossary in the introduction that tell you what a lot of popular bead terms mean. For an absolute beginner, it can be a bit overwhelming, but if you take it one step at a time, it's wonderful.
   For people who have some experience, there are the projects.
   Chapter 1 is peyote stitch. Absolutely essential for anyone who wants to master beadwork to learn. There are several bracelets with different types of clasps as first projects, starting simply with a purchased clasp, and working up to an amazing diagonally stitched peyote bracelet with a fringed beaded clasp. Just yummy.
   The section on bead crochet makes enough sense I'm willing to give it another try. I can crochet, I can bead, but making crocheted ropes has never worked out well for me.
   Like I said, the projects are full of whimsy, the colors make me smile, and the techniques are a solid foundation for learning to bead, and to follow any set of instructions. It's an absolutely inspiring book.

5 comments about French-Inspired Jewelry: Creating with Vintage Beads, Buttons & Baubles.

1. If you like collecting charms, this book is for you. Lots of fun pictures and interesting stories about charms and their famous owners. If you want instructions how to make your own charm bracelets this book is not for you.



2. This is one of the most beautifully designed and inspiring jewelry books I have ever read. I went right out and bought a ton of gorgeous supplies and began creating.



3. This is my all-time favorite book on jewelry making. Each page is a treasure. The illustrations are exquisite, the directions are so easy to understand, and the jewelry is breath-taking.



4. This book is beautifully illustrated. The instructions are simple but thorough.Every projest is lovely. I keep the book open, on my dining room table to one of the gorgeous jewelry display pages.I`ve put a pretty teacup and saucer next to it as an inviting vignette. For anyone interested in crafting vintage inspired costume jewelry, this book is a must-have.



5. This was a fantastic source of inspiration for me! It showed me how to incorporate different colors together and also sent me on extra special bead quests! I definitely recommend it!

5 comments about Bead Embroidery.

1. I really liked this book. I bought about 5 and this is exactly what I was looking for. It taught me what I need to know!!



2. I haven't had a chance to try the techniques out yet but in thumbing through the pages this one looks by far the best bead embroidery book I've seen as far as illustrations and easy to understand instructions go.



3. You are taken through the basic steps that might mystify you before you start, such as finishing off thread. The exquisite details will help in getting you through the stages of the embroidery.The pages of the book are stiff and you need a book stand with clips to keep it open. I found the variety of stitches demonstrated inspiring and will go back to the book as I progress in a project. An important detail not included was the angle of a needle to have a bead sit straight (found in another book). Excellent referral source.



4. Step by step instructions and copious illustrations. An excellent book for those who want to bead woodland designs.



5. I just started to interesting in beading and this book is excellent source for amateurs. I can see every details and create some interesting thing by myself.

No comments about Fabulous Fabric Beads: Create Custom Beads and Art Jewelry.

5 comments about Making Polymer Clay Beads: Step-by-Step Techniques for Creating Beautiful Ornamental Beads.

1. This is a very insightful book on the real how-to's of polymer clay. She has given me endless hours of inspiration and I have still more to do! Give us more of her stuff!!



2. I have 3 books that I've purchased on polymer clay bead-making and this is the best one. Lots of easy-to-follow techniques and ideas for the serious bead-maker. I go back to this book time and time again for inspiration. Before you venture into using polymer clay for your jewellery, you must get this book first!



3. If I could give one polymer clay book 10 stars this book would be IT.
   
   The best book I have ever read about polymer clay.
   
   Super projects and tips and everything is so well written and pictured.



4. Adorei, muito didático, conteúdo bem explicado, com ótimas sugestões e idéias, bom gosto. Altamente recomendado.



5. First off - yes, there are LOTS of books available showing all sorts of different projects using polymer clay and no, you won't become an expert overnight with this one or any other one. HOWEVER, Blackburn has provided a book with updated information and the guidelines to get you on your way to make the beads of your dreams - referring to the first section entitled "Materials and Techniques:" espcially, blending-Skinner Tech., Combing, Caning, Molding, Shapes, Drilling, Polishing (very important), Varnishing, Foils, Extrusions, Textures, Transfers Stamping, Mokume Gane, Mica Shift and more. Just remember, she and others making beautiful polymer products do this all the time and so practice, practice, practice. That being said, I have to say that I truly enjoy this book as so many others have mentioned - that being the focus on bead making. My own efforts over many months of work were so so at best. Once I followed her steps, which are given with photos & written info for each step, I am much more pleased with my own beads.
   
   My main interest in this book has been section two "Faux Techniques" - wood, marble, ivory/bone, leather, amber, coral bronze, abalone, jade, mother-of-pearl (amazing), silver, malachite, turquoise, lapis, onyx, agate. For the most part, I have been extremely pleased at the outcomes of my efforts, but some of Blackburn's representations of imitating certain things could be better. Lapis - get the book "Polymer-The Chameleon Clay" by V. Hughes in order to get a more realistic lapis stone appeal, same as for jade - but this 2nd book is horrible when it comes to Turquoise (also described in Blackburn's book but still not as realistic as I would like...a difficult stone to mimic). So I use the Hughes book for some faux items. Blackburn does have some outstanding examples (IMHO) of Wood (not the ultimate best, but close); Veined Marble - compared to the real thing, I was amazed; Coral bead work was admirable and worth practicing to get it just right; Abalone - love it - very realistic; Jade was comparable to Hughes work; Mother-of-Pearl - truly striking, especially when making the colored pearls; Malachite - close but before YOU make it examine natural malachite in order to develop a more realistic color pattern but still closely following Blackburn in the color production end; Onyx - MY FAVORITE - actually it is more like a natural agate stone as typically when you think of onyx, it is black. Blackburn's Onyx is highly layered using products that I wish I would have thought of...but now I know...in order to get a REALLY natural looking agate stone bead. Blackburn's section on "Agate" in the "Faux Techniques" applies more to a cut stone of agate and she has produced some interesting pendant type pieces. But again, get an Agate book and try to mimic some of the patterns of real agates following Blackburn's technique. You won't be sorry.
   
   Sections to use other books or to keep trying to find better ways to mimic these items are: silver, turquoise, lapis, bronze (this could go either way for some of Blackburn's pieces are admirable - same with her amber pieces), ugh on the leather look, and noooo on the ivory and bone beads. Books with more realistic bone are "The Polymer Clay Techniques Book" by S. Heaser - and pay attention to the antiquing section for bone or "Faux Surfaces in Polymer Clay" by I.S. Dean where the best looking bone look is shown. However, both these books lack the more detailed descriptions and images that Blackburn provides in her book. Yet, Blackburn's work/descriptions are a great way to start from in getting the look you may want using products she recommends.
   
   In the 3rd section of the book called "Bringing It All Together" - she does a great job of pulling the necessary items needed to really make the beads - from various jewelry findings, cording, attaching, designing...thus flowing smoothly into the final section "The Gallery." Many of the great polymer bead artists' work is shown here and definitely grab your attention. Yet this section is small as Blackburn focuses upon the other areas mentioned above and thus earning more stars from me as that is the reason I wanted the book...not for the gallery but for the great guidelines and examples to help ME develop my own pieces.
   
   With all this being said...or rather written...by me, I guess I have to say there is not just one book for all things in polymer clay. However, I feel the layout, descriptions, images and all around clarity by Blackburn makes her book stand out in my library. I am glad to have the NUMEROUS other books, magazines, etc. on polymer clay plus seeing some of the extraordinary work by many artists focused on this medium - all of which increases my drive to improve my own work with polymer clay...and hopefully your own work as well. This medium is amazing and so available - use Blackburn's book as a great stepping stone and you definitely will not be disappointed.

5 comments about The Beader's Color Palette: 20 Creative Projects and 220 Inspi Combinations for Beaded and Gemstone Jewelry.

1. I LOVE this book! It inspires me on so many levels. The work that Margie created and those created by chosen artists to represent the different color palettes is incredible! My favorite artists were Jamie Cloud Eakin and Joan Babcock: Breath taking interprations! Such a great concept. I will dog ear this book through my years of creatively expressing myself. It feeds my soul.



2. I don't find the color palettes very helpful, but the photos of the jewelry are excellent for ideas for my own beadwork.



3. This is an excellent, high quality book! I'm thrilled at the color palettes and the BIG photos!
   
   My only criticism is that the type size, especially for the project materials, is microscopic. And in some places, the type is even a very light color, making it even more difficult to read. As a graphic designer myself, I'm not sure of the reasoning for this.
   
   At any rate, I guess I'll get some new glasses 'cause I know I'll have this book around for years!



4. The Beader's Color Palette by Margie Deeb (Watson-Guptill US $24.95; $27.59 CAN) mixes beads, brains, and brilliance. Beads, of course, refers the the fact that this is a book for beaders. Brains relates to the fact that you will need to use your brain - in a good way - to get the full use of this text. Brilliance refers to the amazing (in many cases jaw-dropping) jewelry designs packed between almost 200 pages that make up the book. Read the rest of my review here: http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/beadbooks/a/072608.htm



5. For those of you that are hesitant about this book, please review the "Search Inside this Book" link underneath the book cover image again. As you can see from the table of contents, the glory of this book IMHO comes from Deeb's use of historical color combinations and designs, to cultural variations, and fantasy. Included are natural stones from the earth and representing the elements (earth, water, air, fire) - not just Delicas as Deeb is so fond of using (with the appropriate color numbers listed for the projects and recommendations). This focus is very different than other beader books and much appreciated as many jewelers often focus on cultural, historical, etc. when developing their own designs. Unfortunately only 20 of the designs are discussed in depth so one can mimic the design, but there are soooooo many other wonderful images of jewelry designs that add to the creativity pathway for all beaders to begin from - not to duplicate! So I really consider this more of a book that compliments Deeb's earlier book on color (using primarily Delicas) and a necessary reference book for all serious jewelry designers to have and use. A true classic book that will definitely withstand the test of time in regards to design and color.