Beaded Bugs: Make 30 Moths, Butterflies, Beetles, and Other Cute Critters [Paperback]

Nicola Tedman (Author), Jean Power (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 12, 2012

Beaded Bugs features 30 colorful photographs, tons of how-to illustrations, and easy-to-follow instructions for making 30 true-to-life, cute critters, which can adorn jewelry, key chains, cell phones, and other accessories.

The popularity of beading is at an all-time high, and it's a great choice for beginners because the supplies are inexpensive and easy to come by, and readers can get terrific results with just an hour or two of practice.

Beaded Bugs features 30 options based on just six basic prototypes, so you can quickly pick up the basics and build on your skills. The projects are graded by difficulty level, so you can start with your very first quick and simple butterfly or move on to more complex bees and beetles. Each project also includes full-color photos, illustrations, and step-by-step pattern instructions. The finished bugs can be turned into beautiful, unique jewelry, or adornments for key rings and cell phones. They make great gifts, too.

The cute critters in Beaded Bugs are based on real species, and the book also includes a few fun facts on each bug to read as you bead. The creatures include:

* A tiny scarab beetle

* A lovely, leggy little ladybug with varied spots

* Beautifully detailed bees with intricately veined wings and striped bodies

* Intricate and colorful butterflies, such as the peacock swallowtail

* 3-D caterpillars and cocoons

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nicola Tedman is a professional model maker who has worked on productions as diverse as the Harry Potter films and the BBC television program In the Night Garden . . .

Jean Power is a jewelry designer and the author of three books on the subject, including 200 Beading Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (June 12, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781449417628
• ISBN-13: 978-1449417628
• ASIN: 1449417620
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 7.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Jewelry & Beadwork > Beadwork

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and intricate! June 22, 2012

By CuteEverythingcom TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

Beaded Bugs asserts that the "neat shape and brilliant colors of insects make them ideal subjects for small beading projects" and the resulting projects are certainly intricate and beautiful. All of the specimens in the book are based on real bugs and Beaded Bugs gives a little bio on each, along with their habitat, wingspan and technical name. There's a wide range of colors represented by the different species, from bright to dark to pastels. When the bugs are finished the author suggests using them as pins to decorate clothes, hats or even a desk or dresser. I think that bags and purses would also be a nice way to display the lovely creatures.

I've done beading projects in the past, but if you're new to it, Beaded Bugs includes several pages of information on simple beading techniques, as well as tips for using beads, wire and tools. The author suggested starting with one of the butterfly patterns in order to figure out how to use the beading chart and also the butterflies are 2-D, while some of the more advanced bugs are 3-D. I started out with the first design in the book, which was for an Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly. I found the illustrations and diagrams that explain exactly how to arrange the beads very clear and easy to follow. I'm sure I could use a little improvement, but I was quite pleased with how it turned out and I'm excited to move on to the caterpillar, which the author assures us is a simple project. My goal is to work my way up to creating the classic Seven Spotted Ladybug in Beaded Bugs.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Moderately challenging but the bugs look real! July 18, 2012

By Peggy Means

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I consider myself an advanced beader, but I haven't done very many wired bead projects. I just made the orange spotted tiger moth, and it is truly beautiful. A little large for a pin (about 2" X 2" X 1 1/2") but nice on a hat or as an ornament. It took about 12 hours to make, and I could probably do it in 10 hours if I did it again. The instructions are very clear, but working the wire through the beads takes some practice, especially when you are attaching wings and legs. I bought magnet wire on ebay and it was very inexpensive. I'm looking forward to adapting these techniques and incorporating them into beadweaving projects. The wire really helps in shaping projects and it is pretty sturdy. Thanks to the authors for the extensive effort that went into this book!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great projects well illustrated June 27, 2012

By Shala Kerrigan TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Nicola Tedman is a skilled artist and craftsperson who has worked on movies and written several books. This one, written with Jean Power is subtitled "Make 30 Moths, Butterflies, Beetles and Other Cute Critters".

The bugs are made using wire and seed beads and make nice little knickknacks for a shadow box, or you could attach pin backs for pins, or attach them to a wire to decorate houseplants. You could also whimsically mount them with their names and Latin names under them and frame them for a wonderful bit of artwork.

It starts with a basic introduction to the tools, materials and techniques. The techniques are explained well enough that a complete beginner to beading could understand them.

Starting with several kinds of butterflies, the wing patterns are based off of real butterflies. Swallowtails, gliders and other kinds of butterflies, all with their habitat, regular name, Latin name, and wingspan listed. Full color easy to follow patterns and further details about construction where needed.

Caterpillars follow, a Southern dogface caterpillar is made fuzzy with the addition of embroidery floss, it's those types of details that make the caterpillars very cute.

Dragonflies and moths follow and there are several of each. They remind me quite a bit of designer costume jewelry from the 30s to the 50s and would look very good as pins on a retro-styled suit.

Then to beetle type bugs like ladybugs. These are shaped to have rounded backs and are intricately detailed. They might be a little too creepy for some people, but I also know some of you really love insects. They work up big enough to be nice pins, or to set in a plant under a leaf to be noticed by the observant. I really like the colorful striped love beetle.

If you're a fan of insects and other creepy, crawling things or if you know someone who is a fan who likes to make things, this is a fun book to add to your library. Because the beading is done with wire and beads it doesn't require learning off-loom seed beading techniques.
[I received a complimentary copy of the book to review on my bead site- BellaOnline Beadwork. My reviews are always my honest opinion]