Prelims: 8 pp
Getting Started: 38 pp
Stringing: 22 pp
Wirework: 18 pp
Beadweaving: 63 pp
Resources, Index and Credits: 10 pp
Jean Power is a professional, award-winning beading and jewellery designer, writer and teacher. Born and brought up in London, she grew up with a love of crafts and art and devotes as much time as possible to writing, teaching and beading. Jean's beading and jewellery designs have been published in numerous magazines and books around the world, including Bead & Button, Beadwork, Step-by-step Beads, and Jewelry Crafts. She is the co-author of two previous jewellery books and is the editor of Bead, the UK's first magazine devoted entirely to beading and jewellery making.
Jean lives in London, UK.
For more information, visit her website hwww.jeanpower.com
If you are a complete beginner who wants to learn how to string and
weave beads plus learn some wire techniques you probably won’t find
a better book than this. Its 160 pages are jam packed with
pretty much everything you need to know, and unlike a lot of
“beginner” books it doesn’t matter if you really are starting from
scratch. Originally published as Compendium of Beading
Techniques back in 2009 this is one Search Press classic that any
beader ought to own. I have a copy of the original on my shelves
and get a lot out of it despite being an experienced beader.
I love the fold-out flap at the back which tells you wire sizes and
gauges plus how many beads of a certain size you get to an inch,
18” or 24”. Turn to the beginning and learn all about beads,
tools, wire, storage and more. Each page has lots of
colourful images of the items, plus it tells you a bit about each
and why you need them (or not). There are tips, descriptions,
charts and “Fix It” features to help you buy wisely and get the
most out of your purchases. After this you can find out about
what you need to consider when designing a piece and even how to
work comfortably. Along the way are lots of useful features
such as a list of birth stones, a flow chart to use when designing
for somebody else and the pros and cons of various stringing
materials. The rest of the book is divided into chapters on
stringing, wirework and weaving. This is not a book of
projects but a guide to all the techniques you need to design your
own pieces, or to understand a pattern. Learn all the most
common offloom stitches, how to use a bead loom, work with wire and
use all the different stringing materials correctly. Master
finishing off, using tools, reading charts and fix problems like
spilled beads or wonky holes. At the back is an index, a
useful glossary and an indispensable list of UK stockists, groups
and sites with more beading information. By the time you have
worked through the book you will be reading for just about
anything! This is one for the keeper shelf, and a great gift
for anybody who wants to take up the hobby.
*myshelf.com*
This book is a very good introduction to beading. Instructions are
clear and the book is illustrated throughout with colour photos and
diagrams. The beginner will find lots of information and even the
most experienced beader could discover a useful new tip. For the
price it is good value.
*Bead Society of Great Britain, Journal 129 (Autumn/Winter 2019)*
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