Customer Reviews

Beaded Colorways: Freeform Beadweaving Projects and Palettes

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Beaded Colorways is a book that covers color theory in exhaustive detail.
It's a book mostly meant for seed beaders, and starts with a nicely written section on color theory, how to create bead soup mixes for freeform pieces explaining quite well how to use colors and values to creates gorgeous color blends and combinations for freeform peyote stitched and netting projects. In the back of the book are a pair of color wheels and overlays for them so you can create your own harmonious color blends. I was really impressed with the section on color because it goes beyond just explain how to create triads, tetrads and complementary schemes but also how to tone them with different values of bead colors to create combinations that work really well with each other.
After that is basic information on how to do simple beading techniques to create freeform pieces, how to create a cabochon clasp by sewing a hook and eye clasp to the back of a beaded cabochon, and how to use a snap for a clasp.
Then the projects. If you've wanted to try freeform and been insecure about giving up the control of a graphed pattern, this book is perfect for that. First you learn how to create the color mix, then the projects are just gorgeous and inspiring without being bead by bead instructions. You can start with a simple bead only Rippled Netting Bracelet for something fast to get you comfortable with working without a set pattern, and work up the incredibly gorgeous Wanderlust Neckpiece which is a lovely example of freeform beadwork including larger cabochons and lots of bead sizes and types. The author explains shaping freeform very well for that project.
The last projects in the book are my favorites though, a mix of metal and bead pendants that are well explained and different than anything I've seen before. They would work up fairly quickly and they are very wearable. It's a wonderful effect.

This is one of the best bead instruction and color theory books for beaders I've read. The photography alone is super, the instructions with accompanying photos are easy to follow and good whether you are a beginning beader or experienced. The organic beaded netting techniques and designs are just what I've been looking for - different and unusual and make the most of what seed beads are all about. For anyone looking to step up their off loom seed beading skills, this is the book that will get you there! It's a treat for the eyes in any case, the color blends are amazing.

This is an amazing book! This book is like taking a class on color theory, only you end up understanding just how a color wheel "moves".
Beverly's insight into color can change your work from ordinary to extraordinary. The step by step instructions for her beadwork are perfect and don't forget the color wheel tucked into the back cover!
Do yourself a favor and follow another of Beverly's wonderful ideas, grab a cup of your favorite coffee, some decadent chocolate and hide yourself away and enjoy the book. Don't forget to turn off the phone, you owe it to yourself!
Please, check out her blog,[...]. If the pictures in this book take your breath away, her photographs will make you cry! The colors! The colors!

Learn from a master: color, beadwork and metal work. Life is good.

I had preordered this book a few months back and have been awaiting its arrival. Well it did not disappoint - I am thrilled to add this book to my collection. The pictures of the beads, color inspiration and the actual jewelry are all luscious. Custom color wheels are included - which will make creating bead soup interesting and fun. The photos in the projects section are nice and straight forward with great working close ups of the beads. The projects are geared to beginners as well as seasoned beadweavers. I am especially excited with the section on beadweaving on metal - something I want to explore. There are lots of hints scattered throughout the book and tons of color info - I especially like the color wheel information for each project. I like the stock the book is printed on - every page is glossy and the photos just pop.

I cannot wait to get started making "bead soup" and I am very glad I purchased this book - it is full of information and inspiration.

This simply gorgeous book does a fantastic job exploring color theory. The "bead soup" angle is very unique and a great tool. To top it off, the projects are unique, well explained and easily duplicated. The book itself is truly eye-candy. I think anyone who wants to learn more about successfully adding color to their pieces can benefit greatly from this presentation.

I pre-ordered the book and it came today. Great service. I really love this book. It has all the projects I have been admiring on Beverly's blog in particular Beads on Metal and Wander down the Beach techniques. I also like the pictures and the hint boxes. The pictures are helpful in learning how to make bead soup. Adding the color wheels to the book is an extra bonus. I know I will get a lot of use out of this book.

The great:
Color Wheels that have 24 color wedges and three tones or shades in each wedge. You can find the color you are thinking of on these wheels. The black overlay cards for revealing the color harmonies make the colors jump out. There are more overlays which allow for creativity right on the wheel.

Even if you mix colors intuitively and do not like the wheel, you probably will like these wheels. They are truly useful. And you can see pastels and saturated colors on these two wheels. This was worth the price of the book to me. Most color wheels are useless because they only show the primary and secondary colors and they are done. There is more to color mixing than the primary and secondary colors.

The good:
Well photographed, in good color, shows the color wheel alongside the actual project to see how it looks on the wheel, pictorial instructions, and a most useful section on proper ergonomics of sitting, light, and stretching and relaxing the eyes and the neck. I hope people take this to heart. Beading takes almost obsessive attention at times and it is easy to forget one's body.

And useful information is given on making bead soups. I prefer dot bleed method of shading and do not like bead soups so this section is not for me. Do you find yourself picking colors out of a bead soup and defeating its purpose?

The ugly:
I find the designs really clunky and without finesse. I think free form beading is very hard to do well, and a little of it goes a very long way. This is not a design book, and the few beading stitches described netting, peyote, and embroidery and bezeling have all been done better in other books.

I have long been a follower of Beverly Gilbert's website and blog and so I had high expectations of this book. I was delighted to receive it before Christmas and my expectations were surpassed. The book contains very useful information on colour, creating bead soups and freeform beading techniques. It also includes an excellent assortment of projects. Every concept and technique covered is beautifully illustrated with clear colour photos. I am delighted to add this book to my personal beading library.

Over the past couple of years I have bought beads and made a few pieces, but I really don't have the interest in making run of the mill jewelry. I mostly love the beads and their possibilities. Then I found this book. THIS is the kind of beading I want to do. I have spent years painting, quilting, sewing and doing needlework. Color is my passion and Beverly Ash Gilbert speaks my language. Her instructions are clear and easy to follow and her projects are inspiration - not recipes. Thank you so much.

This book is an inspiration to anyone who loves color. I enjoy just looking though this book for inspiration for any project I am starting. The color theory is simple and easy to understand even if you are not a bead person. The accompanying color wheels and color relationship templates are excellent and worth the price of the book. Not being a bead person I thought the diagrams and pictures were excellent and beading techniques were explained well. Projects are well constructed; each has a picture of the project, color wheel, materials list, personal antidote, charted pattern(s), clear number pictures and hints. I am happy that I purchased this book and use it more for the color theory and inspiration than the beading...although it has given me inspiration for including beading in my needlework too. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for color inspiration no matter what their medium.