Big Book of Weekend Beading by Jean Power, Natalie Cotgrove, Umbreen Hafeez, Cheryl Owen, Julie Smallwood

Big Book of Weekend Beading

by Jean Power, Natalie Cotgrove, Umbreen Hafeez, Cheryl Owen, and Julie Smallwood

Discover the amazing versatility of beadwork in this scintillating selection of more than 30 projects that you can make in just one weekend. From jewellery and clothing to home accessories and embroidered textiles, there’s something here for every taste and level of ability.
Projects include lampshades, decorative candles, fringed throws, embroidered table runners, tassel covers, embellished scarves, hair accessories and more. The projects and techniques are designed and written by a team of experienced bead crafters, each one an expert in her field.
Big Book of Weekend Beading teaches an exciting variety of methods, from general beadwork to stringing, bead embroidery and wirework. Simple projects at the start of each section give beginners an instant taste of success, leading them on to try larger-scale projects and more impressive techniques.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

4 of 5 stars

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Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

This is a collection of 30+ (31 by my count) beading projects. There are decor articles as well as a fair number of jewelry and beading enhanced fashion and accessory pieces. The scope of the designs is heavily slanted to the beginner and quick-finish projects.

Roughly the first 25% of the content is introduction along with the standard picture tutorial of findings and techniques. One caveat, the pictures for the actual techniques for the beading sections are not very detailed or close-up. It is a good introduction to the techniques, netting, peyote, square stitch etc, but for tutorials, there are much clearer instructions available online.

The next 70% is given over to projects and patterns, roughly grouped by technique: General Beading, Stringing, Bead Embroidery, and Wirework.

The end of the book includes a short suppliers list with website affiliations, index, some of the patterns and photo credits.

This would make a good gift, along with some basic supplies, for someone who has been interested in learning to bead. The projects are easily finished without a large commitment in supplies or time.

192 pages, edited by Jean Power. Due out 13th March, 2018 from Fox Chapel.

Three and a half stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.

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  • 17 February, 2018: Reviewed