Beading Books

This collection of projects inspired by myth, symbolism, religion, and personal beliefs is designed for beaders and artists interested in imbuing their work with meaning. The 26 designs range from necklaces and bracelets to wall hangings, bags, an heirloom box, and even a mobile. Each piece has a distinct focus and specific purpose that is elaborated on by its designer, who writes about the significance beading plays in his or her life. The designs are divided into chapters focusing on different aspects: protection, healing, strength, good fortune, prayer, bonding, and remembrance. A wide range of techniques is offered for beadworkers, with some as basic as knotting, seed beading, peyote stitch, brick stitch, ladder stitch, and bead embroidery stitches. More specialized techniques include bead weaving, beading on screen, and painting on glass. Beyond the projects inside, this guide is a starting point for an artist's own creativity and self-expression.

Introducing the technique of stitching beads onto canvas, this instructional handbook combines design charts and detailed guidelines on stitches as it presents twenty-five ingenious projects, including step-by-step instructions for colourful pictures, ornaments, jewellery, purses, and small accessories.

In this book you'll learn several new and easy techniques for making coiled wire beads and find dozens of ideas for using the beads in finished necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Contents include:

• Coiled Wire
• Wire Wrapped Beads
• How to Make Basic Coiled Wire Beads
• Seed Bead Beads
• Wire Overlay Beads
• Fiber Wrapped Beads
• Coil Springs
• Stretch Beads
• Bead Sizes
• Clasps
• Triple Wrapped Beads

Learn the classic techniques of weaving beads together without a loom. Carol takes you through each stitch step by step to create not only jewellery, but baskets, vessels, handbags and three-dimensional figures.

You'll find complete, easy-to-follow instructions for the most popular off-loom stitches - peyote stitch, brick stitch, right angle weave, square stitch, African helix, netting and chevron chain - as well as 200 step-by-step, black and white illustrations and 20 handsome projects to make.

A full-colour gallery of stunning beadwork by some of the best bead weavers working today provides all the ideas and inspiration you'll need for creating your own one-of-a-kind designs.