Bead Soup

What happens when one energetic, well respected jewelry-making blogger and 26 talented beaders connect through social media and end up swapping their leftovers? You get a mélange of projects bursting with every flavor imaginable! Each designer was given a focal bead, a unique clasp, and coordinating beads, and was charged with creating a dynamic piece of jewelry. These artists push their own boundaries to come up with new combinations and original pieces.

Beaded Kumihimo Jewelry is a collection of projects made using the most common kumihimo braid: kongoh gumi. The book includes 20+ all-new projects using this popular technique all in a friendly, easy-to-follow format made using an inexpensive kumihimo disk incorporating all your favorite beads. As you go through her third book, Rebecca will show you how to use many different types of beads in a variety of sizes to make kumihimo jewelry effectively. One beneficial section of this book is Rebecca’s “trouble shooting” section, used to help explain some of the most problematic areas of a kumihimo braid making each project more manageable for beginners. There is also a helpful Kumihimo Math section used to calculate the proper length and materials of the braid. Along with a few more detailed instructions for the foam disk, and a discussion about using the marudai. Beaded Kumihimo Jewelry is a great addition to your beading library not only for the beautiful designs, but the detailed discussions of both kumihimo math and trouble shooting.

This volume of Creative Beading includes more than 75 projects to inspire beaders. Each of the book’s three sections contains a wealth of editor-tested projects grouped by stitch or technique, and includes a range of stringing, wirework, chain mail, and bead crochet projects in addition to the fantastic stitching projects for which Bead&Button magazine is known. This book also includes thorough sections on basics, tools, and materials, making getting organized easy for readers.

In this beautiful celebration of national bead artisans and their native regions, readers will gain a perspective on how artists’ locations can influence their work. Beaders of all skill levels will enjoy the stories behind the artists and this expansive collection of 30 unique projects presented by some of the top names in the hobby including Sherri Serafini, Amy Katz, and Paulette Baron. Each artist presents a piece, tells the story behind it, and offers how-to instructions. Projects are inspirational for anyone who loves beading.

Seed Bead Stitching explores beadweaving techniques using colorful seed beads and beautiful accents such as pearls and gemstones. Step-by-step photographs and illustrations guide readers through the basics of classic stitches and inventive variations. Includes an introduction to the basics of beads, threads, and bead-stitching techniques. Creative variations and lesser-known stitches are sure to inspire intermediate and advanced beaders.

"Beadwork is a puzzle with infinite solutions," says author and bead artist Beth Stone. In Seed Bead Stitching, she explored the many possibilities for creating jewelry with colorful seed beads and charming accents such as pearls and gemstones. In More Seed Bead Stitching, Stone, whose encouraging tone, creativity, and expert knowledge made the previous book so popular, includes new techniques, more variations on techniques, and more detail on concepts she previously introduced. The book contains a wealth of options for making gorgeous beaded jewelry. After outlining the basics and supplies, Stone presents a series of styles such as Ndebele, Daisy, Inspiration, Peyote, and Spiral, with variations for each. Equally useful for crafts of any skill level, the book includes a dozen different fringe techniques; strategies for combining tubular stitches and accent beads; a section on skinny stitches; and a bonus project of square pillows.

Whether you’re mastering crocheting with beads or choosing supplies for your very first necklace, Karen Morris has the answers to all your questions. Concise, straightforward, and packed with illustrations, this handy little book is full of tips and techniques that will take your craft to the next level. With insightful advice on everything from thread storage to fragile glass beads, The Beading Answer Book will help you solve your most vexing beading dilemmas.

Beading experts, teachers, and jewelry designers Bert and Dana Freed share their expertise in this delightful collection of jewelry patterns and projects. Using a wide range of stunning beads in lovely color combinations, the pieces may look complicated, but are very easy to make following the clearly explained techniques and directions. The projects are organized so that you start with the foundation of bead crochet---the basic chain stitch---then progress through each level to achieve more advanced techniques. Each section opens with clear photographs that demonstrate the techniques needed for the proceeding projects. The "Advanced Tips and Tricks" at the end of the book offer additional tips and tricks for making your bead crochet experience go as smoothly as possible. Beautifully photographed, Bead Crochet Jewelry provides all the inspiration and skills you need to create unique jewelry pieces to wear or give as wonderful gifts. From dangling earrings to chunky necklaces and plaited bracelets, these beautiful and intricate-looking pieces are sure to stand out and be admired by all.