Quick & Easy Beaded Jewelry

The title says it. The projects are fairly simple and the authors have some pretty clever ideas. Tools, thread, wire, findings needed are a standard beginning for a how-to book like this. Usually relegated to an appendix are jewelry standards, such as beads per inch, but here they precede bead stringing, knotting and weaving. How to make and use jump rings rates a special mention. Most jewelry-making books neglect the handy jump ring. Pressed for time to make a quick jewelry gift? Yes, check out this book.

I have bought many beading books and have been disappointed in many, but this book in no way disappoints. It offers the same information for beginners on findings and needed supplies that the other books do but has an easier to follow format. All (yes, all ..no duds in this book)of the projects are actually jewelry pieces that I would like to make and own or that can be easly altered to better suit the jewelry maker.

The cover of this book shows a good sampling of the pretty projects you'll find inside. The book starts with a short section showing photos of tools, threads, and findings typically used in jewelry-making. It's followed by a very good section showing basic jewelry-making techniques, including one of the best diagrams I've ever seen for making wire-wrapped loops, a simple but basic requirement for general jewelry work. Other techniques include using different stitches to join seed beads for the projects in the book.The projects give the beginning jewelry maker a good introduction to many different techniques and styles of jewelry, some very simple with basic stringing of beads to more time-consuming, though not too difficult, sewing and netting of seed bead necklaces. A cute, simple new style includes beads knotted onto ribbon, and there's an attractive wire-worked necklace. Though I think the instructions are good for beginners, this is great for experienced beaders also, because there are ideas I haven't seen in other beading books for design, bead combinations, and even techniques. Something new for me was a necklace of wire-wrapped bead sections linked together with lots of jump rings to form a netted design. I am also inspired by her grapevine necklace, the lemon bead necklace, and a beautiful blue right-angle weave choker. The only necklace that makes me say, "hmm", is a necklace incorporating a child's baby teeth; I need to think about that one.

What fun! This guide, especially the technique section was very easy to follow. I just completed the Metal Flower Anklet. It turned out great. I have tried other beaded jewelry books but this one I like the best.I also found the photographs quite lovely. In fact, you can find this book on my coffee table, alongside a cup of tea. I am not one to write reviews, however this book was so great, I just had to.

This is a great new book, both for beginners and those with more experience! A variety of projects are included which incorporate bead stringing, knotting, weaving, and wirework. Directions are clear and easy to follow, complemented by helpful drawings illustrating the placement of tools, beads, and knots. The large, colorful photographs entice the reader to try the projects, and the step-by-step directions make it possible to accomplish. This is a great addition to any jewelry library!