Beading for the first time [Hardcover]

Ann Benson (Author)

Book Description

Series: For the First Time | Publication Date: June 30, 2001

Arranged in a Q & A format, this handbook covers all the basics: different types of beads, tools, materials, techniques for 18 easy projects (each building on the one before), and 14 more challenging ones. Incorporate knotting, use pressure crimps and stitching to make ornaments, jewelry, needlepoint, a wrapped candleholder, and more. “Benson takes the mystery out of basic beadwork techniques.”—Library Journal.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

simple until one actually tries it. Benson (Beadwork Basics) takes the mystery out of basic beadwork techniques with a series of beginner's projects in the question-and-answer format usually found in the publisher's "First Time" series. Step-by-step instructions for jewelry and accessories are accompanied by large color photographs and line drawings. There are sections on materials and equipment with a gallery of the work of several bead artists. Beading is a popular craft, and this book will find a ready place in public libraries.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Amherst, MA

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Sterling/Chapelle (June 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806960981
• ISBN-13: 978-0806960982
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,093,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice assortment of beading projects, August 30, 2002

By 

S. Brand "sandra807" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beading for the first time (Hardcover)

What I really notice about this book is its wide assortment of large and nicely photographed projects, from simple to complex, easy to difficult, from earrings to bookmarks. The projects are also pretty and elegant in my opinion, and the workmanship looks professional.

There are a few projects a beginner could do without much difficulty, such as gluing beads to a wooden form, or stringing beads on an elastic cord for making bracelets. Many other projects would be difficult for a beginner to follow without prior experience. For those with some background knowledge and experience, I think the instructions and the colored diagrams showing threading techniques are clear and easy to follow.

The more advanced projects, among others, include weaving beads on a loom to make a bookmark, threading beads into a beautiful celtic knot design for making a necklace and squared-needle weaving to make a pretty beaded pouch that can also be hung from a necklace.

As one reviewer complained, there are a few holes in the instructions, with the assumption you already know how to do basic techniques such as "using round-nosed pliers, form a loop in end of head pin". For this reason, this is not truly a book for beginners. For a person who knows the basics, this book has lots of ideas and projects from which to choose. Since it is difficult to follow instructions in any book for detailed work such as this, I recommend taking a class first and then buying this book for building skills and getting inspiration.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beading Simplified., July 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Beading for the first time (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book for beginning to intermediate beaders. The 18 projects cover techniques from basic stringing to needlepoint, peyote, brick stitch, loom work, and more! There are projects for wire work as well as sewing beads onto card stock and fabric. Section 3 goes beyond the basics to create lace, tubes, fringe, and embellishments. Each project is well written, easy to understand,and includes diagrams for beautiful finished pieces. Each project has a useful "troubleshooting" section to help with any problems you may have with a project. Another helpful section describes jewelry findings and bead types. One suprising aspect of this book is that the projects, while designed for a beginner, are beautiful and have an "advanced" look to them. This is a great book for someone who wants to experiment with different techniques.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible lack of technique, instructions out of order., April 11, 2002

By 

K. AHearn "AHearn" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beading for the first time (Hardcover)

I am a beading beginner who has done some simple stringing on my own and wishes to find books to show me some fun projects with which I can learn some pattern stitches and most importantly, techniques for working with findings and finishing strings in a clean & professional manner. I had hoped the Ann Benson books would help but I find she is a second rate author and although she may be able to teach in person, these books are terrible for a beginner: they contain patterns but do not teach, instructions for projects are out of order, materials required are not sufficiently explained, techniques are not explained. They claim to be written for beginners {in both titles, for crying out loud} but are instead incredibly frustrating as you need to look elsewhere for HOW to do the things you will be asked to do. How do you "create a loop in the headpin using round nosed pliers"? How do you "close crimp neither too flatly nor loosely with needle nosed pliers"?

In addition, I'm really annoyed with the poor quality of work shown in the book. Frankly the project photos reveal cheesy taste; lots of thread showing and not {in my estimation} very wearable or attractive end results, little of the jewelry is aesthetically pleasing being clunky, chunky stuff that I don't want to learn to make. Exceptions being a fringy pair of earrings and a fringed bag, the pattern for both can be gotten everywhere.

I'm really disappointed, I've purchased and returned "Beadwork Basics" and "Beading for the First Time" immediately. I have requested other "beginner" style beading books and will post reviews of all that I find.