Customer Reviews:
A must have for any bead collector!.......2007-06-27
A wonderful and very desciptive history of beads. Excellent quality photos, this book can used to help the novice or the serious bead collector.
Excellent photos, difficult reading.......2006-01-16
Although the photos of beads are excellent, I found this book far too much like a PhD dissertation, with the feel of a synthesis, having substance but written in a format which was difficult to read. Bibliographic references imbedded in the text just add to the unreadable style. The text is painfully lacking in the kind of information I appreciate, such as dating, geography, and clear references to the individual beads presented in the photos. And references to values of beads in dollars has no relevant meaning unless there is a time reference. As a reference book I would rate it of minimal worth. As a coffee table amusement it is acceptable, but would need far more photos to make it useful for that purpose.
Beautiful Book But Not For Beginners.......2000-10-29
This is a beautifully written, beautifully illustrated book, however, it is definitely for the advanced bead collector. Its main focus is on beads the average person could not find or afford. I am a beginner in the bead collecting world and needed a book that was more of an identifying guide. The chances of me running across a bead that was illegally excavated from an archeological dig in a foreign country are slim..and I wouldn't know what to do with it anyway. I'm returning the book and continuing the search.
A stunning work of art........2000-07-22
This is a work of immense proportions. Robert Liu is both a scholar and an artist. This is a work which draws on both sets of skills, and the result is wonderful. For bead lovers it's a definative work. As a scholarly piece, it likely has material of interest to those interested in art history and world culture as well. It's an important book and one that would be sorely missed if it ever went out of print--I say this as one who's passed on books like this, only to search the world over for them when they were no longer available...get this one now. You won't regret it.
An outstanding and invaluable book for all bead lovers.......1998-03-18
Robert K. Liu is one of the foremost authorities today in the field of collectible beads. In this book he gives clear and succinct insight regarding collectible beads from all over the world. In some cases he gives approximate monetary values, but the book is mostly a celebration by someone who knows as to the place which beads have played in cultures around the world from ancient times to the present. A necessary help for anyone who collects or is thinking of collecting beads. It will save time and money.
Book Description
Beads give a sense of glamour and fun to everything--jewelry, clothes, and home d?cor--and they are a hot trend with staying power. With Simply Beautiful Beading, the first book in North Light's Simply Beautiful Series, readers can make 40 affordable projects, featuring the newest bead styles and fashions, including: -Earrings -Chokers -Bracelets -Earrings -Necklaces -Hair combs -Ponytail holders -Picture frames -Journals -Cards -Gift boxes -Holiday ornaments
Crafters will learn 13 different beading techniques, all of which are quick and easy to learn. Over 250 color photos offer a wealth of inspiring ideas for unique and breathtaking bead creations!
Customer Reviews:
Love Heidi's books.......2007-08-31
I've recently discovered Heidi Boyd's bead books. I love her ideas and instructions. They aren't "way out there" but are original, simple designs and the instructions are very visual and easy to follow.
beading book.......2007-05-15
The book was just as advertised. Projects I feel capable of doing as a beginning beader.
Only for beginners.......2007-04-24
If this is your first beading book you might find useful information here. If you've been beading for some time this book offers nothing, the projects are way too simple, more for kids than adults. It feels that the author is only starting with beading herself, she has not learned enough to teach others. There are so much better beading books out there, don't waste your money on this.
Simply Beautiful Beading.......2007-04-02
Good book with great projects to try. Good for beginners or anyone starting to learn the great hobby of jewerly making.
Good for a beginner.......2006-12-08
This book is good for a beginner. However, I did not find it as useful as I'd hoped... I wish there was more discussion about the different types of wire and thread, and how and when and for which types of projects to use them, since this is such a big part of beading. However, she did a good job of explaining how to use a crimp bead and how to make an earring loop, also important. But she mostly offers information overload without really clarifying HOW to use the different materials and findings, which can be overwhelming at first. I suppose if you work through the many projects in the book, these details would become more clear. However, I really didn't care for most of the projects in this book. Fortunately, given all the varieties of beads and findings, the sky's the limit... no need for someone else's recipe.
Book Description
Make something beautiful you'll love to wear! Step-by-step images and instructions walk you through making fashionable beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. These 100+ easy projects include glitzy pieces for wearing on the town, sophisticated styles for the office, and everything in between. Compiled from the first two Chic&Easy annuals and edited by Alice Korach, Founding Editor or Bead&Button magazine.
Customer Reviews:
Not inspiring.......2007-04-24
I've had this book a few years and I've never got any inspiration from this one. It feels outdated, colorless and the projects are boring. There are better books to buy out there.
great projects and easy to undrestand.......2006-06-08
Not only are the pictures and drections clear but this book is great for those looking for a bump in skill level from your basic beading techniques. Basics in the back are helpful if one forgets how to stitch or bend something.
lots of inspiration.
Good, beautiful, fun...but not for beginners........2006-03-03
This is a lovely book for beaders with some experience.
There are some projects that may suit for new beaders but most of them require that you be familiar with stitches, techniques and beading skills that you learn after some time of practice.
All projects are beautifully photographed and show variations on the same topic. Explanations are clear and precise and I was delighted to find, at the end of the book, some pages with basic information on knots, stitches, beading and jewelry making techniques, which is a most welcome addition to the 100 projects shown in the book.
If you are an intermediate - advanced beader, I do recommend you to buy this beautiful book.
Fabulous Book!.......2005-05-20
I received Chic & Easy Beading today and am really thrilled with it. The projects are straight-forward and step-by-step photos are provided to demonstrate techniques. With the exception of a few projects that weren't to my taste, there are enough ideas in here to keep me inspired for years! The beauty, of course, is that you can substitute any colours you don't care for to something of your own choosing. I would highly recommend buying this book -- it'll be a great addition to your beading library. :)
Excellent Book .......2005-03-23
Viewing the inside of Chic & Easy Beading on this site does not show the buyer the excellent instructions and steps for each project. A friend brought this book in at work for me to look at now I want to buy a copy. I would not have ordered the book if I had not seen the step by step instructions that are unfortunately not shown while viewing this site. Chic & Easy Beading shows clear step by step pictures of each project. The most complicated project looks so easy to make. I cannot wait to have my own copy.
Customer Reviews:
Boring.......2007-04-24
This is a fairly new book but it feels outdated and old, the colors are muted and the jewelry is not inspiring. I didn't find any projects in this book I would like to make and this book is not even pretty to look at. Buy the Easy Beading books instead, they're full of great ideas.
Buy this book.......2006-11-04
This is a wonderful book to have. It has all the steps to completing a project and so many inspirational ideas. I would highly recommend this as one of the books to own.
Good Book for Ideas.......2006-11-04
Samples of jewselry are easy to make and pictures are beautifully photographed. Lots of ideas for people who aren't sure of where to go next.
Amazon.com
Beads have been used throughout the ages and in virtually every culture, not simply as adornment but to express social circumstances, political occurrences, and religious beliefs; as a form of currency; or as symbolic embodiments of curative powers. And they're colorful, made of various interesting materials, and can be combined in endless configurations. With more than 100 crisp color photos and intelligently written text that reaps the benefits of the author's 30 years of research, The History of Beads documents bead styles and uses in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Far East. Ranging from prehistoric times to the 20th century, this book stops along the way to consider the magic eye bead, prayer beads, and beads with other special attributes. An eight-page color gatefold section offers a fascinating timeline of the bead's history at a glance. Bead devotees can satisfy their curiosity about their medium of choice and draw inspiration for their own creations from the beautiful photos of necklaces, collars, bags, headdresses, and other beaded ornaments. --Amy Handy
Book Description
In its original hardcover edition (1987), this remarkable book was the first comprehensive history of beads ever published. It includes several thousand examples of beads, beaded jewelry, and beadwork representing 30,000 years of history and drawn from every major culture and region of the world. Now largely unavailable in hardcover and still the most authoritative book on the subject, it is finally available in paperback at a very attractive price.
For thousands of years, beads have played an important role throughout the world, from Japan to Cameroon. This highly unusual and innovative volume surveys the fascinating story of their evolution: beads have been used as a medium of trade, as talismans, as personal adornment, as status symbols, and as religious artifacts. They are capsules of cultural, historical, and technological information. This ambitious survey of beads and their unique contribution to history features more than 380 illustrations, most in full color, a spectacular illustrated time line of bead history, detailed maps, a chart of bead shapes, and a highly readable text by Lois Sherr Dubin.
Book Description
These designs for a wide variety of bags from the beading world’s top designers will amaze beginners as well as advanced beadworkers. These 30 projects include clutches, drawstring purses, wrist bags, amulet bags, and even a market bag. Featured are a variety of techniques leading to bags that are not only beautiful, but can often be completed in an evening or weekend, providing instant gratification. Included are tips to help start each project and clear demonstrations of each stitch used in the book. Each project includes information about the designer, giving a feel for the people in and the bead buzz surrounding this interesting and accessible community.
Customer Reviews:
Exquisite and artistic bags.......2004-12-13
I agree with other reviewers that this shape of book is not the easiest to read, but I flattened my copy and put a weight on it to hold it open while working... no big deal. It's what's inside that counts!
The 30 exquisite purse and bag designs in the book, shown in full color photographs, are contributed by different artists, and each is extremely unique in its design and method. Several of the purses are knitted, and some are crocheted. Some have strands of beads couched onto fabric. Some are created with peyote stitch or on a bead loom, then sewn together. One is sewn onto a metal purse frame. One I partricularly like has strands of beads glued (using special sticky tape) onto a purchased tote in a gorgeous design. Some are large and shopping-baggish, and others are small amulet bags or clutches. Every one of them is gorgeous, and you will not find anything like them in any store, unless it is an expensive boutique. They look like collectors' items.
There are no quick and easy projects here. They require time, commitment to read through the instructions and follow them step by step, and skill with the hands. The written instructions are fairly easy to understand, but experienced crafters will follow them more easily. There are illustrations, but a few more would be helpful.
The last section of the book shows how to do all the different stitches and techniques used in the projects, but for knitted bags, you will already need to know how to knit. Hand and machine sewing skills are required for some of the projects.
great stuff, bad format.......2004-06-25
I have to first say that the photos and projects in this book, as well as the others in the Beadwork series, are gorgeous. They are not your typical jewelry items: they show unique colors and mixtures and ideas. Love that part. What I hate about the book is the format...it is long and skinny with a tough spine. In other words, extremely difficult to hold, much less do a project from. It's so narrow that the inside page closest to the spine often cuts off certain words. I tried going to office max to have one drilled to be loose leaf, with the spine cut off, but it still makes for awkward work. Why they couldn't make this a full size book with a lay flat spine is beyond me.
Designed to appeal to all levels of beadworkers.......2004-03-05
Jean Campbell edits Beaded Bags, a survey of 30 bag projects designed to appeal to all levels of beadworkers. These aren't just the usual rectangular bags; they are especially notable projects in presenting a diversity of bag styles and designs, from clutches and drawstring purses to wrist bags and market bags. Techniques range from embroidery and loom weaving to bead crochet, with plenty of colorful photos and step-by-step clear instructons.
Book Description
With essential tools such as round-nose pliers and wire cutters, clasps, and an array of high-quality beads, this kit provides everything an aspiring jewelry maker needs to begin creating unique earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other beaded accessories. The full-color, 40-page project book showcases a number of exciting designs paired with step-by-step instructions for bead-stringing fun that anyone can follow.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointed.......2007-09-10
The beads seemed really cheap. And when I got it the wire cutters won't even cut the wire included, let alone any other wire. And the flattning tool is really wide.
Wonderful Intro To Beading.......2007-04-09
I got this for my 11-year old and, with some help from me, she was able to craft a beautiful necklace and matching earrings within an hour's time. The kit contains all of the basic materials and tools to get started and suggests other items for those that want to explore further. I thought the plastic tray layout was awesome as it includes a beading tray on the perimeter to lay out your beading patterns. The instructions were very clear and a good reference. I have a feeling a trip to the beading store is in my very near future to add to our collection of beads!
Book Description
Inside this all-inclusive kit, jewelry makers will find all the tools and materials they need, from round-nose pliers and wire cutters to an array of colorful beads and wire. The full-color, 40-page project book provides aspiring crafters with essential information and design inspiration, including clear instructions for wire-working that guide readers along each step of the way.
Customer Reviews:
Great for getting started in a fun craft........2007-03-09
I got this for my daughter. She loves it and is proudly making her own jewelry now. Now she wants more supplies to continue making more! Yikes!
Book Description
“The projects use conventional bead-weaving techniques and all are fully charted, with detailed instructions....a delightful and unique addition to bead craft books in public libraries.”—Library Journal. “Twenty-three threaded designs—earrings, scissors case, thimble and scarf holders —will empower even those without the eye for a needle to stitch merrily away; it’s truly any novice’s choice of elegant beadwares.”—Booklist.
Customer Reviews:
Best Bead Book Ever!.......2007-01-10
I think this is the best bead book that I own. I've learned how to make every stitch I use from this book. Really good instruction drawings and good close up photos. Best hands on instruction for learning on your own!
WONDERFUL INSTRUSTIONS! BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!.......2005-09-21
I would have liked to give this book a 10 STAR rating. I bought this book not just for the purses BUT for the clear and very easy to follow directions for the weaving! I used the stitches I learned in this book for other projets. I am a visual learner and this book is better than more $$$$ books I bought just to learn the stitches. Color through out. I did not find any of the colors muted as another stated.
There are patterns for Brick, Square, Peyote (Which thanks to this book I now can read the patterns!)Netted and square Netting. A very nice Gallery. I intend to write the author.
Do not choose if you are looking to make high fashion bags.......2003-09-25
I totally disliked this book...if you want to make craft show type stuff then perhaps this is a good choice but I came lloking for info on how to make high fashion high quality beaded handbags likened to some of todays top designers and thisbag did not even stracth the surface of what I needed. I would only suggest this book for those looking to make little trinkets in thier spare time certainly not for resale.
Concentrates on beaded purses.......2003-04-05
Start at the cover of this book that features five necklaces. You'll say, "Wow! How can I make these gorgeous little necklace purses?" Author Enid Taylor shows you how. Bead stitching is pretty much the same from book to book, offering the same techniques shown here: brick, square, peyote, and netting stitches. This book is special because Enid shows you how those stitches combine to make a fabulous purse. Enid, a home economics teacher for 24 years, started a craft studio in 1982, so there's lots of teaching experience behind her book. Although her craft studio's focus was on lacemaking, spinning, and needlework, her expertise in beading shines through. Not only are there many techniques shown for the body of the purses, but there are multiple ways shown to make the neckchains and fanciful decorative finishes. If your aim is to concentrate your efforts on amulet necklaces, this is the book for you!
Good beginner amulet bag book.......2002-10-20
I wanted to make amulet bags, and as a beginning beader, decided to jump right in and try. The directions are very easy to follow and include little purses using a variety of stitches: peyote, square, brick, and netting. They suggest colors but the user can really use whichever colors they like with the patterns. I do wish more of the patterns had the little flap closings for the purses, since most are designed to be open on top, but I think the author's reason may have been to keep it simple for beginners. I'd also like to ad that the book is in full color with nice glossy paper and photos. I appreciate this since some of the other books I have seen are very low quality with a steep price. If you're new to beaded amulet purses or other small purses I think you will find this book useful....I have!
Product Description
This is the bead book you have been waiting for! It's perfect for beadlovers of all ages. This amazing book not only tells you how to make the most beautiful jewelry projects from scratch, but what to do if an unforeseen mishap happens, and you need to know how to fix it. Wendy's own patented method of knotting between beads is worth the price of the book alone! Now, anyone can make the perfect necklace. There's also making a wire-wrapped bezel, repairing jewelry, and hundreds of tips for fixing and salvaging your jewelry, which saves you time and money! There's also almost 15 projects, including the ever-popular tin-cup necklace. Anyone can be a pro with this book. You won't be stranded in the beading wilderness if you have this book - you will survive any project, no matter how elaborate it is.Techniques in this book are patented, so you won't see them anywhere else!
Customer Reviews:
The book everyone should own!.......2006-12-11
This book covers it all! I strongly urge any beader, be they a novice or a pro to buy this book! There are many patented techniques in here that are so easy and so amazingly helpful. This is the book for all beaders and I think it's a great gift too!
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Beads of the World: A Collector's Guide With Price Reference
The History of Beads: From 30,000 B.C. to the Present
A Bead Timeline, Vol. I: Prehistory to 1200 CE
Beads
World Beads: An Exploration Of Bead Traditions Around The World, With 30 Projects To Creatie You Own Jewelry
