| | |  | Pearls | Home » » » Bead Simple: 150 Designs for Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Embellishments, and More | | | | | | | Description: | | Most beading books include a mix of patterns but call for very specific beads and materials. So if crafters don't like the beads used in the projects, or don't have them in hand, they won't enjoy the projects, no matter how beautiful they are. But Susan Beal has untangled this knotty problem. "Bead Simple "is the first work of its kind that offers stunning jewelry patterns that can be completely customized with a variety of beads and stringing materials. Based on simple, yet effective beading techniques, this strikingly illustrated pattern guide includes 50 glittering designs, each featuring two bold variations for a total of 150 projects that can easily be achieved with different materials or tweaks. With hot guest designers, including DIY Network's Jennifer Perkins and Megan Nicolay, author of the bestselling "Generation T," here is the one book that finally offers jewelers the versatility to let their unique personalities shine through. | | | Features: | |
• Dimensions: 10.9 in. h x 8.55 in. w x 0.65 in. d
• Weight: 1.98 ounces
• Made in US
| | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Susan Beal | | Paperback:
| 220 pages | | Publisher:
| Taunton Press | | Publication Date:
| March 01, 2008 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 1561589535 | | Package Length:
| 10.7 inches | | Package Width:
| 8.4 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.6 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.55 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 19 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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 A great step-by-step guide for beaders!May 18, 2009
Susan does such a great job in providing the details of a beading technique not only in great photographs but also in her verbal explanation. My only regret is not having enough time right now to try out the various techniques that she covers . . . but I keep it out and look at it regularly to be ready when my summer break comes! I had some previous beading experience and learned to do most things from magazine articles having far less quality than this instruction. Even with experience, I've learned a thing or two as to how to improve my skills. Guess I'm saying that the newbie or the intermediate beader will probably enjoy the book . . . the more experienced experts may be bored.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Wonderful and SimpleSep 30, 2008
This book is great for beginners and experts alike. It has simple techniques that some wouldn't think of. All the designs are easy to do and this book provides materials lists so that you can get everything you need to finish a project. Or you can just use this book for inspiration!
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Great ideas insideAug 29, 2008
I checked out all the beading books from the libraries in our local cluster and this was by far the best, so I bought it from Amazon.com. The book just has a lot of techniques and tricks inside and great photographs to illustrate what the project should look like. Beading is a great hobby for me, the one craft I really enjoy.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A much needed elegant book for mature beginers!Aug 15, 2008
you would think that just because someone is a beginer at beading or jewelry making they were 12 or retired by the look of most beading and jewelry books.But not this one.It has a beautifuly illustraited techniques section and projects that are made from both typical and very interesting (possibly for the younger crowd!) objects.So its things that you can actualy find at your crafts or bead stores to make something similar unlike many fo the botique or simply 'insperation' books.This is a great 'project book'.Ive purchased two and put them in 'beginner' baskets for gifts.One for a sisterin law who is more mature but wanted a beading hobby and didnt know where to start but is much too classy of a lady for most other books on the market (and many were too advanced!) and another for a young cousin.I think it fit them both euqaly well..
I do love the photos of the projects too!
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Jewelry making has never been so simple ... or so beautifulAug 15, 2008
I've been reading all over about how fabulous Susan Beal's new Bead Simple book is. Ever since I saw a first glimpse of the cover on the web ages ago, I've been dying to get my hands on a copy. My wish finally came true, and folks ... this book does NOT disappoint. Everything I've read was right on. It's a big, thick, yummy, beautiful book. I've spent the last several nights dreamily perusing it before I drift off to sleep. It's no wonder I've had lots of dreams of jewelry this week!
Bead Simple is gorgeous. It's styled in such a way that makes it a borderline coffee table book. Don't relinquish this book to the craft room bookshelf. It's one you'll want to keep out where you can look at it at any time, and share with friends. The projects are beautifully photographed, the illustrations are clean and simple and the typography pulls it all together in a way that's delicate without being too fru-fru.
This book has got something for beading newbies and jewelry experts. The first part of the book has incredible resources and information about everything you need to get started making your own jewels. The descriptions of the supplies are simple and clear and the intro chapter makes for a great starting point and future reference.
The project portion of the book is brilliantly organized. Each "chapter" has three variations on a particular theme. It's a great way to see how you can easily modify a certain technique or design to make loads of different, fun pieces. I love the chapter on vintage button necklaces. Remember how I haven't been a big button person in the past? Well, this chapter makes me want a button necklace for every day of the week.
And it's not just baubles that you'll be making when you get this book. There are great projects for embellishing clothes, too! I love that! There are also some fun household projects - like the Name Dropper Wine Glass Charms. I've got dibs on Prince!
And I haven't even gotten to the guest contributors. All your favorite crafty gurus are in here. My pal, Diane of Crafty Pod fame, has a beautiful Starburst Pendant design that involves wire twisting. I can't wait to give that one a spin. There's a fantastic project from Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano Murillo, that has a beautiful back story. I can almost hear Jennifer Perkins' Bric-a-Brac Charming Bracelet jingling off the page. I have to say, I'm a sucker for simple, fun, colorful stuff, so Jenny Ryan's Candy Shoppe One Strand Bracelet is among my absolute favorites. I know it's all about the beads on that one, and I'm drooling over the tiny owl beads and little squares with atomic sunbursts on them. I NEED those!
If I haven't convinced you of the luscious quality of Bead Simple, perhaps the price will do the trick. What can I say, I'm a practical, frugal gal at heart. So seeing this glossy, glorious, massive book filled with the designs of fabulous independent crafty folks priced at just under $20 ... that's a steal of a deal if you ask me.
Treat yourself to Bead Simple. Like me, you won't be disappointed.
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