Simply Stunning Beaded Jewelry

This is not just your everyday "how to" jewelry book. It uses lots of wire, has things that you always wanted to do, but didn't know how to go about it. Definitely not a beginners book..finally! A little bit of everything, technique wise. A definite buy for the experienced beader.

Donatella Coitti's first book in America was "Bella Beaded Jewelry" which recieved a somewhat tepid reception. Simply Stunning Beaded Jewelry was originally published in Italy in 2003 then translated into English earlier this year. This is not the usual run-of-the mill stringing. Many of the projects make generous use of seed beads but there's no on or off loom beadweaving at all. The centerpieces on the cover are beads attached to a simple crocheted base. Some of the jewelry is somewhat reminiscent of vintage necklaces of twisted hanks of Czech or Venetian seed beeds, hence the "lampshade or off-bead play" look a previous reviewer alluded to. There are a variety of projects presented. Some wire coiling, twisted wire, french flower techniques, satin and waxed cord and memory wire. The Swarovski projects are wonderful and consists of rings, crosses, pendants and earrings. The book begins with very brief overview of bead history then focuses on Murano of course. Next is a tutorial on how to string hanks of seed beads quickly. This is for those don't have use a "bead spinner". But this gives you an idea what to expect for many of the designs in this book. The next tutorials cover knotting and 3 pages devoted to weaving crystal motifs and finishing with macrame-type knots and closures. Interestingly, the back cover has jewelry that looks like another Italian-to-English book, Designs for Beaded Jewelry using Natural Materials, but the in-depth instructions are here in Simply Stunning Beaded Jewelry. The jewelry has a "I can't believe you made that" look but is actually quite doable.