There are a million books written about beading. This article is for you if you feel lost as I was when I started to learn beading techniques. I can recommend many but today I will focus on 5 books that will help to lay a great foundation for your future beading success. I will explain why I chose those books, what I learned, what I have accomplished and how they can help you.
Teach Yourself Visually Beadwork
Teach Yourself VISUALLY Beadwork: Learning Off-Loom Beading Techniques One Stitch at a Time
Humans absorb 80% information through our eyes and this book is a great example of a visual learning tool. This book is primarily focused on beading techniques. It is filled with thorough and easy to follow stitch instructions and it will save you countless frustrating hours later on. It’s my reference book and first to go to when I want to learn a new stitch or refresh my memory on the basics of bead stitches. This book is a great investment and you will appreciate it for many beading years to come.
Peyote Stitch: Basic Techniques, Advanced Results
Stitch Workshop: Peyote Stitch: Basic Techniques, Advanced Results
I used this book a manual to master peyote stitch. The collection of a different project can certainly please anybody’s taste. Don’t forget, you don’t have to use the same color beads suggested in each tutorial. I didn’t even follow the whole pattern when I created my first pair of earrings using this book. Floral Peyote Bracelet inspired me to make only two motives (I didn’t have enough beads for the whole bracelet) and turn it into earring project. Then I worked on Colorful Connections Bracelet. My daughter loved it and took it away. Take It Easy was my favorite project. I wear my bracelet to this day!
I Can Herringbone
After spending quite some time with this book I could happily say: I Can Herringbone! What an adventure! I completed several projects from this book and was very happy with the results! One of the chosen projects was a pair of crystal earrings. If I wouldn’t become familiar with this book I would never think herringbone stitch is suitable for bezeling a Rivoli crystal.
Japanese Beadwork
It was the love from the first sight. It’s filled with patterns of very romantic feminine jewelry. Expect to learn interesting beadweaving techniques. The diagrams in this book are excellent! Unlike many other bead books, this one illustrates completed works on models. After seeing it you would want to make every piece yourself and look as beautiful as those models. I particularly liked the color choices which tend to represent more elegant and classic jewelry style. Once I was pleased with beads selected for each project I was determined to make and wear these jewelry pieces myself!
This double-sided beaded bracelet (above) is my variation of the Night Dew pattern from Japanese Beadwork – a perfect accessory for festive events or evening outings. Next – a pearl bracelet (below) – is an elegant complement to any outfit – day or evening.
Creative Beading Vol.8
Creative Beading Vol. 8: The Best Projects From a Year of Bead&Button Magazine
This book is a collection of best bead projects from Bead &Button magazine. If only I had 72 hours in a day I would make all the projects in this book! For a jewelry project, I chose Echoes of Nefertiti necklace by Helena Tang-Lim – and made my variation of it in a teal color with mother-of-pearl beads. This necklace collects tons of compliments whenever I wear it.
We’ve got Christmas Covered is another beautiful pattern I chose to make a new ornament for my Christmas tree. Please, note, it is not the only Christmas ornament pattern in this book. When I select a new project from Creative Beading I realize that this book can keep me entertained for the whole year!
There are plenty of patterns to explore in these 5 books and many others I have. I will share more completed projects from these books soon. Stay in touch and let me know what books you choose to learn and practice bead weaving techniques?
Happy beading!
