by Carol Taylor Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours. Paperback - 144 pages (October 1995)
In one of the more irreverent and stylish beading books to appear recently, Taylor begins with five questions, one being, "Are beads affecting your financial security?" Regardless of the answer at the outset, many piggy banks might be smashed after peering at the pictures of these 70 projects from 38 bead artists. Taylor prefers to cover bare-bones information and guidance initially, then she builds up the reader's knowledge and confidence by introducing progressively more difficult tasks, methods, and designs. Included are color photographs of results, black-and-white illustrations of techniques, and materials lists. From funky fashions to wear with jeans to elegant accessories for a dress-up evening, beaded jewelry takes many forms. This comprehensive, how-to guide allows even a novice will be able to make incredible necklaces, bracelets, earrings, barrettes, and more. A basics section covers tools and materials. Detailed instructions are accompanied by more than 200 line drawings.
Lots of bead jewelry techniques in full color. May 24, 2000 Reviewer: Dari Beneville Wayne (see more about me) from Flagstaff, Arizona This is a wonderful book to look at. Lots of color photos, readable diagrams and instructions with lots of different projects to choose from using all of the techniques shown in this book. Not the book I would recommend for a beginning beader (consider Beaded Amulet Purses by Nicolette Stessin). Excellent for the beader who is comfortable with basic beading techniques and looking to expand their beading skills.
great photos, semi-beginner to advanced December 30, 1999 Reviewer: Karen Bruner (see more about me) from California This book came out before the huge glut, and I still like thumbing through it. The examples are marvelous. While it walks you very well through some projects, others are sort of "on your own." Good for an intermediate or advanced beader who wants to do more improvising, but might be frustrating for a new beader. I recommend learning the basic stitches elsewhere, but get this book, if only for the wonderful photos of work by very talented bead artists. It also has a useful section on balancing color and bead size, more useful information if you're ready to start personalizing your projects. It covers different stringing options well, and provides a good start for wire working. They could have left out the section on polymer clay, though.