Reviews (46)

I have made four items from this book-beautiful!
I was new to wire and bead jewelry making when I got this. It quickly inspired me to make several items of jewelry as shown and they are gorgeous. I am now hooked on this hobby and have, in two months, spent over $1500 on tools and supplies. I have four sets of pliers, a crimping plier, two hammers, a small anvil, numerous beads and findings which I get on eBay, several types of gold and silver wire, and let me tell you, it all adds up. It is an addiction to types like me who need to make pretty things.
Good place to start
Although new to beading this book provided some great information on the processes involved.I found it to be very helpful and will refer to it again and work on some of the projects found inside its covers.

Bead On A Wire:Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry
A great book - suitable for the beginner or the more advanced jewelry artist. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry making    9. Metal Work    10. Wire craft    11. Handicrafts    12. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (5)

Easy to Use
Great illustrations and pictures.It's taken away a lot of the mystery - no I feel much more confident.

Inspiring
This book is great for the beginning beader.My daughter and I have great fun pulling ideas from this book and creating projects.The instructions are very clear and easy.The jewelery and other projects turn out beautifully.

Great stuff in here!
After someone gave me a bracelet recently, it was my first introduction to beading. I borrowed several beginner-beading books in an attempt to understand how to make beaded jewelry for gifts. Simply Beautiful Beading is the only book that covered everything I was looking for. It explains and illustrates different types of beads, wires, clasps, etc. and how to use them and has everything explained so well for the beginner. But don't let the subtitle of the book, "53 Quick and Easy Projects" let you think you won't find imagination and beauty in the patterns in this book. Many of the projects are ones I will actually use. Too many authors go to extremes to get something different in their books by creating things out of beads that are either just plain ridiculous, or far too expensive to make even if you wanted to do it. Heidi Boyde instead uses her imagination on designing simple projects in jewelry, accessories, and home accents that are different enough to be unique and yet be easy enough for beginners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Fashion    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry   

Reviews (7)

Visual Stunner
A creative inspiration for all lampworkers & all who appreciate fine beads!Sooo many beads, so little time!You'll never need to ask "what should I try next?"

Lots of Eye Candy!
This little book shows a great variety of glass beads. I am amazed what some people can do with soft glass. The book is filled with wonderful color photos of completed jewelry. For the price it is a great value.

VERY inspiring for all artists!
I'm actually a polymer clay artist, and I've gotten more out of this book than *any* other book I've purchased/read in the never-ending quest to inspire and improve my work. There aren't any instructions or biographies, just huge, detailed photos of many, many glass beads, and some information on technique and materials.
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Subjects:  1. Beadwork    2. Catalogs    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. General    6. Glass & Glassware    7. Glass beads    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Ceramic arts, pottery, glass    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    11. FICTION - FICTION TRD HC   

Reviews (3)

Great addition
This book was more along the lines I was looking for in fabric beading. Instructions were clear, pictures beautiful and had lots of detail. I will enjoy using this book.

Full Color Inspiration Book
I finally know what to do with all the "weird" Beads I just had to have for no other reason than they looked different. I love the Picture instructions on beading cabs. I would liked to have seen more of these types of instructions. That is my only complaint. If you can see the patterns in your head the written instructions are clear enough.Her chapter on tools and materials is very good and she even explains the types of threads most books do not cover as well as the glues, scissors, needles, hoops and frames and even includes the newest craze, Fire Line and Power Pro. Chapter 2 is all about beads including my "weird" beads.
A little bit of heaven
Having forgotten that I had ordered this book before it was published, I was pleasantly surprised when it came yesterday. Wow, am I glad that I ordered it! It provides great information about beading on various types of fabrics, the different types of beads and tips as well as things to watch out for from the author. I am new to beading and have been wanting to add it to my quilt blocks and hand made clothing for a while. This book has a large number of her completed pieces in full color and provides explanations for the techniques she used on each one. I found this to be a very helpful and inspiring book, and will recommend it to my friends who are wanting to begin beading as well. Great job, Ms. Van Horn. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art Needlework    2. Beads & Beading    3. Beadwork    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Needlework - General    8. Reference    9. Textile Arts - General    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Needlework    11. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (1)

Easy to purchase supplies
I bought this book thinking it would be impossible to find the supplies to do the projects in it and that the projects would be way out of my league.Boy, was I surprised to see that most of the beads I could get at my local bead store or I had them on hand!Good Book!Actually some projects I might just make - not just a coffee table book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Jewelry making    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    10. Handicrafts    11. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (9)

Great book for beginners or intermediates
This book has a lot of great patterns, some easy enough for a beginner, some a bit more advanced.As with any 'pattern' book, not all projects will appeal to everyone, but I found about 80% of them were interesting or appealing enough for me to try.The directions are GREAT!I plan to buy another one of these for my son, who also makes jewelry.I could loan him my copy, but I use it too much!

Excellent book on bead & wire jewelry construction
This book by Powley and her other one "Making Designer Gemstone and Pearl Jewelry" are the two best books currently on the market on these particular subjects in jewelry-making.Her instructions are clear and the designs (up-close, clear photographs) shown are inspirational.The "look" of the books is not cluttered with too many instructions or diagrams.The un-cluttered content helped me to feel relaxed and to not get overwhelmed by too many instructions.I highly recommend both of her books.

Great introduction to jewelry making!
If you're seeking an introduction to making jewelry using your favorite beads and simple wire fastenings, you've found it! The jewelry projects offered here are professional and stylish, yet easy to make with just a few tools and techniques provided by the author.
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Subjects:  1. Beadwork    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Jewelry making    9. Handicrafts   

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    9. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes   

Reviews (10)

Great place to start for beginners
I have come back to this book numerous times for help as I begin my jewelry making hobby. It is organized and laid out well, and the definitions and illustrations/photos of different types of beads, findings, etc., are very helpful for novices like me. The book contains pretty basic information, and that's a good thing. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to get started off on the right foot with this hobby.

What a disappointment...
I ordered this book because it had such good reviews and it seemed to be a good book for beginning beaders, but I was very disappointed.
BEST beginner book
I purchased this book as a gift to a beginning beader.I am an experienced beader, and I found this book to have many things I wish I had when I first started beading.There is a description of the different shapes of beads and what their names are, rondelle, bicone, etc.There is also a scale diagram of the actual sizes of beads, 4mm, 6mm etc.Very helpful info.I am starting a women's beading co-op in Haiti as a mission project, and this has such great illustrations and pictures, they will be able to learn from this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Jewelry making    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    10. Handicrafts   

Reviews (25)

Fun, and Easy jewelry for everyone
I love this bead book.It was one of the first beadbooks I had bought 5 years ago when I started beading again.I love the color palettes used and the instructions are easy to read and follow.
The Best of the Series!!!
I have purchased all three of the Bead Fantasies books and the first one is the BEST of them for me.Now don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed all of them.I have simply found more projects in the first one that appeal to me and my style.
Disappointing
I bought Bead Fantasies and Bead Fantasies II at the same time after reading the positive reviews; I wish I had looked at these books before buying. There are pretty motifs that I will incorporate into my beading projects but I find the small typed directions overly simplistic and the diagrams are too small. I'm glad this isn't my first beading book or I would feel totally discouraged from trying any of these projects. I won't be buying Bead Fantasies III.The Art and Elegance of Beadweaving and Coraling Technique remain my favorite beading books.
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Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Fashion    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry making    9. Handicrafts   

Reviews (10)

Good Instructions - Beautiful Pictures
I've been working with wire a couple of years, but can always find new ways of working with wire.They have some traditional wire skills along with new ideas.I found the instructions easy to follow.I even reviewed some of the traditional designs made for a beginner and used them in teaching a beginners class.Worked like a charm.I highly recommend this book for all levels of wire wire except maybe the most advanced.Most all designs were new and not published elsewhere.

Beautiful!!
Very good book for wire work!The instructions are pretty easy to understand and the pictures are very helpful.The jewelry in the book is beautiful!
Bead & Wire Art Jewelry
I've learned a few new techniques in the book.Well illustrated.Thank you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    7. Metal Work    8. Handicrafts    9. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (14)

Best book ever
I was a little skeptical at first, but sometimes I get inspiration challanged. Sometimes my projects come out flat - one dimensional - so-so. After I read this book- it was eye opening. Just a little change and my projects had spark and edge. Now I fully understand how color interacts with the eye, with other colors, with the human brain.... awesome book and very worth it. The BEST book I ever got on beading.

If you work with seed beads, you must have this book...
...in fact, if you work with color at all, put this book in your shopping cart and buy it! I've been beading obsessively for about a year and a half and I've purchased many a book to learn this craft. I've learned something from each one, but I've also been a little ticked off that the many of the authors don't have their books professionally designed.When I received The Beader's Guide to Color, my faith was restored! This is a beautifully designed book, chock full of crisp photos and a fantastic exploration of color theory. The author uses her own work as well as that of other artists to illustrate the various methods of combining and blending color and includes a little color wheel with each image so the reader can see exactly how color choices were made. After my first thumb through, I went immediately to Margie Deeb's website and purchased her color wheel for beading (www.margiedeeb.com).
beaders' color guide
A very informative and beautiful book. A lot to learn about color combinations and design. A book to refer to on a regular basis. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Color in design    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Handicrafts   

Reviews (1)

Everything you ever wanted to know about making metal beads.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced jewelry maker or simply a lover of beads, you will marvel at Making Metal Beads. This is simply the definitive book for making metal beads. There are just so many creative examples with beautiful photos from the author and other beadmakers, along with exceptionally clear instructions. This is a book written by an accomplished metalsmith and an experienced teacher.The book promises "techniques, projects, inspiration" and it delivers all three.The beads run the gamut from complete fabrication from metal sheet, to altering and embellishing commercial beads.Following the well written instructions you can make the beads as described, or use them as a reference for your own creative beadmaking endeavors.In addition to the instructions for creating beautiful beads, there is a section of the book devoted to finishing and stringing them.
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Subjects:  1. Beads    2. Beads & Beading    3. Beadwork    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    9. Metal Arts And Crafts    10. Metal Work    11. Silverwork    12. BG-OCCULT - BG-ASTROLOGY/OCCULT    13. Crafts & Hobbies / Metal Work   

Reviews (31)

Really easy diagrams to follow
This book is great reference book for many of the various techniques used in making wire jewelry.Good pictures, easy to follow.

Great book
I am very much a beginner in jewelry making and have found this book to be a great help.It is written so simply and very well illustrated (even my 11 year old is using it).

On Time and On Point!
Fast service. just as described.Excellent condition.Great Seller and great service. Definitely buy again.Thank you.! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry making    8. Reference    9. Wire craft    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Reference    11. Handicrafts    12. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games   

Reviews (2)

Ah, at last - Noble Beads!
In Japan, this same book is called Noble Beads.This is a great book, just like the previous Bead Fantasies (I-III), the book is clearly illustrated with bead & thread paths.Beautiful photography of the finished projects.Very little $$ for the wonderful projects you will want to do over & over again.Appropriate for the intermediate beader - or for a begining beader who does not mind following threadpaths.

Another Bead book must have
The fourth book in this series is my favorite so far.The jewelry keeps getting better and better.The color palettes too are absolutely Divine.I eagerly await the next book in the series. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Art & Architecture | Art Instruction    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry   

Reviews (7)

A book to turn the beadworld on its ear!
I have been doing beadwork, writing about beadwork, researching beads and beadwork, devoting my master's degree work to beadwork ... everything I have ever done these past 10 years seem to relate to beads ... even vacations with my wife center on going to specific bead stores, collections and museums.
Blending history and an overview of cross-cultural beading traditions with artist profiles and fun projects
Beadworkers have traditionally received less volume and detail in their guidebooks than quilters, but the genre is growing and has been enhanced by the addition of Valerie Hector's The Art Of Beadwork: Historic Inspiration, Contemporary Design. Valerie Hector is a famous jewelry designer who invited several artists to use a piece of beadwork from another time or culture as inspiration for creating a new piece: The Art Of Beadwork celebrates this effort, blending history and an overview of cross-cultural beading traditions with artist profiles and fun projects for creating necklaces, earrings, pins and more. With the world as its inspiration, The Art Of Beadwork features inspirational pieces from around the world, with diagrams and easy project notes assuring relative newcomers will be able to duplicate the polished results.
FABULOUS!!!!
I waited months and months and *months* for this book after seeing the author's work in person and nearly fainting on the spot over her inexpressibly luxurious Xhosa double scallop stitch pieces (technique included in this book). Every few months I'd check on the status, and find out the publication date had been set back, and I thought I'd expire from desire before I got it.
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Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. History    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewellery & jewellery-making    9. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (10)

BEST CABOCHON BOOK OUT THERE!
I Tried and Tried To Learn How To Bead A Cabachon By Following Other Book's Instructions. My Cabachons Came Out SO Bad I Had To Take Them Apart. This Very Well Done Book Did It For Me. Beautiful Color Pictures and Detailed Black And White Drawings, Can Make A First Time Beader Pleased With The Results. The Second Chapter On Beading Basics Is Simple To Follow WIth Great Results. Her Chapters Start Out Simple And Advance You Into Creating Works Of True Art. All The Finished Cabachons She Shows You Are Detailed Enough To Actually See The Beadwork Unlike Some Books I call "Teasers" Which Show Off Their Work SO You Can See It But Not Well Enough To Imitate The Beadwork. This Is A How-To Book I am Pleased To Own!

Wonderful book
Reading the book is a pleasure. Easy to follow instructions. Wonderfully inspiring photographs. And a good part of the book has specific projects. For anyone interested in beading with cabs, this is a great place to start.

utterly brilliant
this is a fabulous book.
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Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Jewelry making    9. Crafts & Hobbies / General    10. JUVY-WORKBOOKS - JUV WORKBOOKS    11. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (16)

Findings & Finishings: A Beadwork How-To Book
Findings & Finishings is one of my favorite books on beadwork.The Sharon Bateman provides a wealth of ideas for making your jewelry your own.The instructions are very well done and Bateman also includes basic instructions for the most popular stitches used in beadwork.Her diagrams are excellent and easy to use.The information in the book is good for beginners and more advanced beaders.

Great book to take your beadwork to the next level!
The opening chapters give a simple but thorough overview of beads, threads, wires, tools you'll need, and the basics of working with beads and wire.
Findings & Finishings
It is pretty but I will probably just put it in a pile.It is not a book I would go back to again and again.Had I had it in my hand at a store, I would have put it back. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Finishing    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry making    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Needlework    9. Handicrafts    10. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (14)

Best Bead Book Ever!
Blows the other bead books out of the water.I love this whole series.The projects are much more pretty than any other book and chock full of huge inspirational full color photos on every page.Directions are clear and concise and to the point.I have looked through many other bead books and none can hold a candle to this one!

A MUST HAVE
The book is a must-have for beginners to beading. The book covers all; neclaces, bracellets and a few earrings. A beginner who doesn't know yet if beading is for them, certainly can just purchase this one book. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow and the models although are simple, but have a classy touch.I bought 3, it is a very appreciated gift.

Fantastic Beading Book
The book has been great & I have been going through the book over & over again, I will be starting on the first project from the book, I'm just gathering the materials. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Children's All Ages - Crafts / Hobbies    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    9. Jewelry making   

Reviews (7)

More Beautiful and Easy Beading patterns
This 2nd book contains more excellent beading instruction and continues to give the beader wonderful color palettes to all the beading designs.Another beadbook Classic.

hard to follow
I'm an experienced beader and these instructions are difficult to follow, the pictures with the faded parts help some, to follow the thread paths, but I certainly wouldn't reccommend this book to someone that has problems following directions without someone to show them how it's done or the inexperienced.

Disappointing
I bought Bead Fantasies and Bead Fantasies II at the same time after reading the positive reviews; I wish I had looked at them before buying. There are pretty motifs that I will incorporate into my beading projects but I find the small typed directions overly simplistic and the diagrams are too small. I'm glad this isn't my first beading book or I would feel totally discouraged from trying any of these projects. I won't be buying Bead Fantasies III.The Art and Elegance of Beadweaving and Coraling Technique remain my favorite beading books.
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Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry making   

Editorial Review

Go beyond simply stringing beads together--learn to weave them into beautiful textural patterns to create jewelry, bowls, baskets, purses, and even sculpture. With the step-by-step instructions and detailed diagrams in this guide, the seven stitches (peyote, brick, square, right angle, African helix, netting, and chevron chain) and their variations aren't terribly difficult to learn. Although they may take patience and some time to master, even the beginner can produce simple, attractive pieces. Beaders with more experience will be inspired to new heights of invention upon viewing the full-color gallery of spectacular bead weaving creations contributed by various artists to this attractive book. Read more

Reviews (27)

Creative Bead Weaving....
I love the book.It has lots of beautiful inspiring pieces.It's more of a book for intermediate and advanced beaders than beginners in my opinion, but that doesn't mean a beginner wouldn't get something out of purchasing it.I retun to the book over and over again for helpful tips and tricks and inspiration.I highly recommend it.

Another winner from Carol Wilcox Wells
I bought this book after finding The Art and Elegance of beadweaving. Carol Wilcox Wells blesses us again with her prolific creativity and clear step by step instructions.

Great Book
I was new to bead weaving and I kept renewing this book from the library because it was so helpful. That's when I decided to buy my own and I'm so glad I did. It's very easy to follow. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Needlework - General    6. Weaving    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Weaving    8. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes    9. Spinning & weaving