Bead Jewelry 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily Through Step-by-Step Instruction (101)

by Ann Mitchell and Karen Mitchell

Bead Jewelry 101 is an all-in-one essential resource for making beaded jewelry. This complete entry-level course includes 30 step-by-step projects that demonstrate fundamental methods for stringing, wire work, and more.

Begin your jewelry journey with the basics, including a photographic glossary of jewelry materials and tools. Then, learn fundamental techniques such as making wire loops, adding a clasp, and opening and closing a jump ring.

A wide variety of projects offer even more techniques. Make basic drop earrings, a beaded cluster bracelet, a woven bracelet with pearls, elegant draped chain earrings, a beaded memory wire bracelet, and much more. Build your skills with each piece you make, and try the project variations—or design your own creations. Clear step-by-step instructions and photos make the process easy and fun.

In Bead Jewelry 101 you’ll also discover:

• A world of beautiful beads, including metal, pearl, plastic, polymer clay, stone, shell, and wood.
• Approachable techniques for beading, wire work, and stringing that will boost your jewelry-making skills.
• A wide variety of jewelry styles: sophisticated, playful, chic, bohemian, and modern.
• Troubleshooting tips and quick references

Beginners will find the accompanying online videos that capture the techniques in action an invaluable resource. In no time, you’ll be making jewelry you’ll be proud to wear.

Written specifically for beginners, the books in the 101 series are complete illustrated guides to the basics of a craft that use projects presented with full-color, step-by-step instructions and photos to teach essential techniques.
 

• ISBN13: 9781631597596
• Publish Date: 3 September 2019 (first published 1 July 2009)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Quarry Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 200
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Bead Jewelry 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques is a reformatting and updated re-release of the original tutorial book from 2011. Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's a comprehensive 200 pages, and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. This is part of the 101:Workshop in a Book series.

There is a deep satisfaction in being able to make unique beaded items to coordinate with an outfit or specific room decor. This book has 30 well illustrated tutorials for projects including earrings, necklaces, brooches, and more. It also contains links to additional online content with short video tutorials on a broad range of beading related topics. The jewelry tutorials can be adapted for lamp pulls, curtain tie-backs, window sun-catchers, tassels, limited only by the reader's imagination.

The layout and graphics are attractive and easy to read. The introduction (16% of the page content) contains definitions, tools, supplies, and concepts used in the following chapters. Most of the tools and supplies are easily sourceable; most readers will already own some of them. The tutorial projects are arranged thematically, 3 per chapter. The chapters incorporate different techniques or units of construction. I especially liked the chapter on repurposing found objects and old jewelry into new components. The end of the book contains a good resources list (including links for non-North American readers!), as well as an artist bio and index.

This is a good introduction to stringing bead jewelry. Note, this book does not cover bead-weaving and none of the projects use weaving techniques such as right-angle-weave, Peyote, or similar.

Four stars. A valuable addition to the bead crafter's library.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.