Customer Reviews

Bead Directory: The Complete Guide to Choosing And Using More Than 600 Beautiful Beads

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a wonderful little comprehensive "guide" to the different shapes, sizes and composition properties of the beads included. I feel this book will be particularly helpful and a wonderful resource to those just starting out in beading. To learn about types, the correct names for shapes and to be able to see the names of the bead/stones that you may hear about frequently, this is PERFECT! Not only does it tell you what the beads are, it explains why or how the name was arrived at. There is also a nice section on findings along with a very well thought out guide for every bead listed. The guide found along the side edge of each bead listed provides the shape of the bead when strung from both front and side views, the weight, the size, type of stringing recommended, the costs to your wallet and a ruler guide as to how many of each particular bead can be strung on a thread 10 inches long. This feature will be particularly helpful in preventing over purchasing of beads by not buying more than you will need for a particular project you may have in mind. Additionally it shows each bead with several different views and an "actual size" photograph, which I find extremely helpful. If you are looking for a book on "HOW TO" bead, this is not it. However, before you really can learn how to bead, you ARE going to need to know all the things in this book. Very nice resource guide and index with this one too, for quick location of a particular bead. The book itself is in a beautiful hard cover with a nice spiral spine that is housed inside the cover. This book has a retail price of $24.95 US, but on Amazon only $15.72!!! A real bargain for the price and one of the best bead books I own (and I have PLENTY!)

This book is great for the Beginner Beader to learn the names and shapes of beads. As an Advanced Beader I was disappointed, assuming this directory would include more information, including history of particular beads, qualities of the stones and where they come from, where certain beads originate from. Perhaps a "must-have" for Beginners, but somewhat redundant for the Advanced Beader.

I've been beading for about a year and after glancing through it a couple of times, didn't feel it was much help to me. But, if you are NEW to beading and buying beads, this is a great book for you. It categorizes the different type beads, sizes, shapes and makes suggestions on coordinating beads. It's still good for identifying different beads and stones.

This book is a marvelous reference for beaders of all levels - beginners through advanced. As a novice, I find it extremely helpful in deciding shape, density and particularly cost of beads. Great photos and tables of explanation. Wonderful at-a-glance graphics run along the edge of each photograph indicating bead shape when stung and hole direction as well as looking straight at hole and hole position, relative weight for size on scale of 1 - 5, 5 being heaviest, relative cost on scale of 1 - 5, 5 being most expensive and ruler - how many beads on a thread 10 inches long. This is by far my most useful beading reference.

What a fantastic collection of bead information. Extremely helpful not only as a resource but also in deciding on designs. It made understanding the vast world of beads a lot easier!

The Bead Directory by Elise Mann is an impressive book as a resource and for dreaming. It's spiral bound so it can lie flat, and each page has 3 different types of beads all neatly categorised by type, the descriptions are wonderful and there are color photographs. The sidebars have easy to read symbols which show the drilling direction, the shape, the weight, the price range and the numbers of beads to the inch.
I found a lot of beads in it I've never seen and we've got some great local bead stores! Fortunately there is a resource list in the back of the book, along with some great tips for designing.

It's a lovely book just to look at, and something that makes a great resource. I admit though, I kind of use it like a Wish Book, just for the eyecandy.

This is a fantastic reference book for any beader. It discusses the several types of beads, price range, versatility, etc. Must have.

Janice

I first got this book from my local library. After renewing it multiple times I decided to purchase it. I recommend it to anyone who uses beads in their crafts. I use it to decide what beads I need for any given project. That way I know exactly what I'm looking for, especially when ordering online. If the site doesn't give enough info all I have to do is look it up in this book. This book gives a color photo showing actual size, hole placement, hole size, what the best stringing options are, if they come in other sizes than shown, if there are different colors, and a lot more information. It even shows some mix and match options and has a section on findings. If you use beads, you must buy this book.

I love this book. I originally borrowed a copy from my local library and then decided to buy a copy from Amazon.com. I love that it has pictures of the beads and what to match with them. This is very helpful to me as a beginner in beading.

Outstanding service!! Great item and super fast shipping. A pleasure doing business with this seller.