All About Beads: A Guide to Beads and Bead Jewellery Making [Hardcover]

Maureen Murray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1995

Takes a colourful and practical look at the types of beads available, showing the techniques and methods required to make a wide selection of accessories. The projects are presented with drawings and photographs of the finished items. The book also includes the history and folklore of beads. The author features many different types of beads: shell, bone, horn, wood, stone resins, ceramic, handpainted, porcelain, metal, antique, glass and opaque. She is the designer of bead necklace kits and has been concerned with the craft of beadwork for many years.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A British expert introduces beadwork by dividing beads into five groups: those made of natural materials; clay, ceramic, or lac (produced by the resins of an insect); metal; glass; and plastic. The rudiments of beadwork are thoroughly explained; specific materials to use and how to thread and to wire are explained and illustrated. The 15 beadwork projects are all necklace and earring combinations. Barbara Jacobs

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0713478632
• ISBN-13: 978-0713478631
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,103,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most informative, simplified & beautiful bead book ever., February 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: All About Beads: A Guide to Beads and Bead Jewellery Making (Hardcover)

I found this book at the library searching for an art project to help my daughter with. (She's in home schooling.) I've always wanted to learn beading, but this book was very inspiring, and now I can do it. The instructions are the easiest I've ever "seen". Three of my daughters friends want to come over & do these projects with us. The only problem we have is that it's not ours & we have to return it. We want to own this book but it's unavailable.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful beads, August 29, 2002

By 

S. Brand "sandra807" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: All About Beads: A Guide to Beads and Bead Jewellery Making (Hardcover)

This book has some nice features for bead enthusiasts. About a third of the book shows closeup photos of the beads produced throughout the world, with extensive information about the various materials and methods used for creating them.

Following this is a section using clear line drawings of findings such as clasps, wires, and tools, with explanations of how they are used. Line drawings are also used to show techniques, especially a variety of ways to finish the ends with clasps and knots. For me, this is the most valuable part of the book for learning techniques new to me. The directions are mostly good, but there are some that are difficult to follow just by reading. It works better to get everything you need and just start following the instructions step by step until you figure it out. My previous beading experience helped me understand the instructions better.

The last section of the book has an assortment of projects making necklace and earring sets, with line drawings, photos and written instructions. The designs are beautiful but too extravagant for me, and being published a few years ago, a little outdated in style. However, the techniques shown can be used to redesign and create pieces suited to one's tastes.

5.0 out of 5 stars oldie but goodie, March 28, 2009

By 

L. A. Corr "kid sister" (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: All About Beads: A Guide to Beads and Bead Jewellery Making (Hardcover)

I checked out a half dozen beading instruction books from the library, and this one was the best, and the one I bought for myself. It is well organized, well-illustrated, the instructions clear, and the examples for the projects are beautiful and inspiring.