Bead Simple: 150 Designs for Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Embellishments, and More [Paperback]

Susan Beal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 2008

Most beading books include a mix of patterns but call for very specific beads and materials. So if crafters don't like the beads used in the projects, or don't have them in hand, they won't enjoy the projects, no matter how beautiful they are. But Susan Beal has untangled this knotty problem. "Bead Simple "is the first work of its kind that offers stunning jewelry patterns that can be completely customized with a variety of beads and stringing materials. Based on simple, yet effective beading techniques, this strikingly illustrated pattern guide includes 50 glittering designs, each featuring two bold variations for a total of 150 projects that can easily be achieved with different materials or tweaks. With hot guest designers, including DIY Network's Jennifer Perkins and Megan Nicolay, author of the bestselling "Generation T," here is the one book that finally offers jewelers the versatility to let their unique personalities shine through.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bead Simple" is simply fantastic, proving that with a few tools, a couple of easy to learn techniques, and the guidance of Susan Beal's wonderful eye for color and texture, anyone can make beautiful handcrafted jewelry. The projects are absolutely inspiring, and I can't wait to get started myself! -- Debbie Stoller, bestselling author of "Stitch 'N Bitch
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"Bead Simple: 150 Designs for Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets, Embellishments and More, "by Susan Beal (Taunton Press, 220 pages, $19.95 paperback): Innovative (and easy) beaded designs that range from classy to campy. Includes projects from dozens of national designers, including a multimedia charm collage by yours truly! --"Crafty Chica" Kathy Cano-Murillo, "The Arizona Republic"

About the Author

A jewelry designer and writer, Susan Beal writes about art, craft, and fashion for CRAFT, Adorn, BUST, ReadyMade, Venus, www.getcrafty.com, and www.whipup.net, among others. She blogs daily at westcoastcrafty.com. Susan's jewelry is sold nationwide in shops and galleries as well as on her website, susanstars.com. Her work has been featured in fashion shows in New York, Portland , and San Francisco, and she has appeared on the DIY Network shows "Uncommon Threads" and "Craft Lab." She co-wrote Super Crafty: 75 Amazing How-To Projects and has contributed to Tease, Get Crafty, Making Stuff, Offbeat Bride, and The Crafter Culture Handbook.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (March 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561589535
• ISBN-13: 978-1561589531
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a writer and crafter who makes things with beads, buttons, and all kinds of crafty bits and pieces. I love Gocco printing, quilting, sewing gifts and clothes, and having friends over to make things and drink lots of coffee.

I live in Portland, Oregon with my husband Andrew and our speedy toddler, Pearl (who's my main craft inspiration and a lot of fun to make things for!). I write about things I like and projects to make at my West Coast Crafty blog, and I also contribute to the CRAFT: blog, geekcrafts.com, CraftStylish, and BurdaStyle. My favorite crafty sources are the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena, the Knittn Kitten in Portland, Exclusive Buttons in El Cerrito, California, and Toho Shoji in New York. And I'm always on the hunt for tins full of buttons at estate sales!

p.s. I have book websites for both Bead Simple (beadsimple.com) and Button It Up (buttonitup.com) with lots more resources and book extras over there, including flickr groups for readers to add their projects too - I'd love to see what you make. For more on Super Crafty, check out our collective site at pdxsupercrafty.com!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book and a great price!, March 30, 2008

By 

Christina Loff "Christina Loff" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bead Simple: 150 Designs for Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Embellishments, and More (Paperback)

I love Bead Simple! With over 150 projects and technique instructions it's a great value. There are many beading books out there but Bead Simple feels fresh and modern. I especially like the range of projects offered from some of my favorite designers. What a great addition to my collection and and my craft room!

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Simple, March 26, 2008

By 

Sonya Nimri "Author, Beadalicious, Just for t... (Venice, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bead Simple: 150 Designs for Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Embellishments, and More (Paperback)

Beadsimple is a fun compilation of a bunch of my favorite crafters including Megan Nicolay, Jen Perkins, and the author Susan Beal. The projects are as the book promises, simple- perfect for beginners or beaders on the fly who are looking to make a fun colorful bracelet or a streamlined, minimalist necklace.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Learn Jewelry Making, March 30, 2008

By 

J. Russell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bead Simple: 150 Designs for Earrings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Embellishments, and More (Paperback)

For someone just getting started with jewelry making, this is an excellent resource. Susan Beal and several other designers (including Megan Nicolay of "Generation T" fame) transform found and vintage objects with style and originality. The detailed illustrations on technique are clear and easy to follow. The sections using vintage buttons to make barrettes, necklaces, and earrings are highlights. Embellishments include holiday ornamentations, decorating a range of items from belts to envelopes, skirts and handbags. There is a great list of online resources for supplies found at the end of the book too. Highly recommendable!