Customer Reviews

The Beaded Object: Making Gorgeous Flowers & Other Decorative Accents

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

 

 

I love beading, so ordered this book with rush shipping because I couldn't wait for it to arrive. Unfortunately, however, I was very disappointed. It has some lovely pictures, ideas, and directions, but lacks the "specialness" of similar books by people who truly love to bead. (Since the author has written books on a variety of subjects, I suspect that this is more of a passing interest to her than to the others. That's okay, and it is still a beautiful book -- just not on a par with books by people who truly love beading.)

For one thing, I would have liked a good Resource section. Although *I* know where to order beads by mail or online, I'm sure that there are many others who can't buy them locally, and would have liked to know this.

The beginning mentions different types of beads, including silver-lined -- but does NOT add that the linings disappear after a period of time, thereby ruining your design. It also fails to even mention the importance of facets, and difference between faceted glass and plain acrylic. Although the latter is often a financial necessity, I feel that the distinction should have been made clear just in case it makes a difference to someone.

I also would have liked the authors recommendations for the best beads for specific projects ... e.g., 4-cut, rounded, or whatever. Although options could (and should) have been provided should the "best" prove unavailable or prohibitively expensive, this would have been nice to know in case someone wanted to make the "best", and needed help determining which beads would help achieve that result.

It also might have mentioned bead spinners -- the dramatic difference in quality between the plastic and the wood, how unbelievably helpful the latter are in stringing loose beads onto wire, and where to buy the good ones.

Don't get me wrong -- it is a lovely book, and others may be extremely pleased with it. However, I, myself, would have liked a lot more help locating the best beads, information about bead spinners and where to buy hanks of strung beads if no bead spinner is available, the different cuts available, which type bead is best for each project (e.g., 4-cut or smooth), etc.

Although this book has beautiful photos of each finished project, it does not include step-by-step illustrations, relying almost entirely on verbal directions. This book is great for people who are already familiar with bead/wire techniques and can translate mental pictures from the directions. It is less beneficial for those who are new to the subject.

I was absolutely smitten by the beauty of the projects in this book. While I have done some beading in the past I have not tackled flowers so I jumped in. Unfortunately, I soon found out that the instructions are not well written. If you can read you should be able to make anything described. There are many steps left out. What a waste. I would not recommend this book for the beginner to learn from.

I'm a novice beader and have been referencing all kinds of books on French beading technique. Hiney's book was a BIG disappointment. I liked her ideas, especially when combining different types of beads, but I found her instructions to be unclear, and in some cases, like the pattern for the small butterfly, to be convoluted (twice around the barn to get to the house). If you are trying to teach yourself French beading technique, try books by Dalene Kelly and Carol Benner Doelp, the Nathansons of our time. Their books are well written, illustrated, and edited. If you want to make beautiful beaded flowers using crossover techniques, The Beaded Garden by Diane Fitzgerald is a terrific book, with clear instructions and lots of ideas.

Ooooooooooooooooh, I *LOVE* this book. The photos are gorgeous; each time I see them, I feel greatly inspired. The directions are clear. Although I still consider Virginia Nathanson's and Virginia Osterland's beaded flower books the best ever written,
this book contains numerous clear diagrams -- as well as innumerable gorgeous, diversified projects. I highly recommend it.