Getting Started with Seed Beads (Getting Started series) [Hardcover]

Dustin Wedekind (Author)

Book Description

Series: Getting Started series | Publication Date: May 1, 2007

Seed beads are basic, essential materials in a beader’s stash, and this handbook gives beginning crafters a full course in how to work with them for great results. Seed beads come in a plethora of colors and materials and can be worked in an endless variety of stitches, which are taught in chapters that progress from introductory to more challenging. The more than 20 projects teach and then combine techniques in projects guaranteed to impress—from a simple beaded tin to a ladder ring to a tubular peyote-stitch rope of beaded beads. There is also a section on shopping for beads and equipment that will make new initiates comfortable as they explore the potentials of beading with seed beads. Filled with information and inspiration, this clear guide is a catalog of colorful and creative possibility.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Beginning and more advanced beaders will find helpful instruction...[The book] will find good use in public library collections." — Library Journal

"A beginner-friendly romp through the ways and wonders of seed beads...Interesting projects for experienced beaders to play with too!" — Bead-Patterns the Magazine

"A must-have." — The Detroit News

"The projects are fun, the directions easy to follow, and the materials list provided make for stress-free shopping trips." — Monsters and Critics.com

About the Author

Dustin Wedekind has been an integral part of Beadwork magazine for seven years. He serves as the primary technical editor and illustrator for projects encompassing the entire genre of beading. With a degree in fine arts from Colorado State University, he also contributes heavily to the creative side of Beadwork with his own project designs, juried art exhibits, and the reader-interactive Bead Boy column that challenges everyone for "creative solutions for beading." He was recently profiled in Fiber Arts magazine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680164
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680166
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful, November 29, 2007

By 

Virginia Brubaker (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Getting Started with Seed Beads (Getting Started series) (Hardcover)

I am an experienced seed beader, but recently was working on a project that required some use of a technique I had never done before (gluing beads to a surface) and as I was figuring out what adhesive to use and in what order to do things, it occurred to me that it would be useful to have a book on the shelf that contained information like this so that I didn't have to spend a bunch of time re-inventing the wheel -- especially when I'm approaching a deadline!

When I saw the cute beaded tins in this book, I decided to add it to my library. I have enjoyed looking at all the techniques and projects in the book. I particularly like the introduction to seed beads with its great explanation of the different sizes, including the difference between Czech and Japanese beads.

The ideas about storing beads and organizing the workspace so beads aren't jumping all over the place would have helped me out when I was getting started with seed beads.

This book is good looking and useful. What more could you ask?

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for a Beginning Seed Beader, October 9, 2007

By 

Jean Yates "jean, jewelry designer, book and... (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Getting Started with Seed Beads (Getting Started series) (Hardcover)

I have just started seed beading. It's a new thing for me, although I understand how to make other kinds of jewelry. Frankly, I don't even think it matters if I did know how to make ANY other sort of jewelry with this sleekly written, brightly photographed, appealing book by one of the most well-known seed beaders in the community, Dustin Wedekind. I have admired many of his projects in Beadwork Magazine for years.

Admittedly, in Getting Started with Seed Beads, you don't get the incredibly elaborate and intricately beaded work which the author creates on a regular basis elsewhere--all those fabulous and magnificent pieces-- here, in this book. That is intentional, however: this book is to help YOU get started. You get every type of basic stitch which you might want to try, in a cheerful and colorful layout, with no fuss and no messy photos.

It is easy to get confused when you are first learning to seed bead (Take it from me, first hand!).
Staring at big piles of beads all over the place clogging up the photos on book pages makes it worse. Thank heavens this book takes pity upon us and leaves the pages clean and clear and appealing.



The projects looks good and the colors are brilliant and charming.

The early projects in the book which I liked were the glue projects, where you decorate tin boxes wth beads, an enchanting paisley pin, something lacy called a Green Diamond Ribonette which has lots of uses--bracelet, lariat, or belt, Belted Bricky Balls which look more challenging than most of the projects but pretty enough to be worth trying, and the great Twisted Cable Bracelets at the end of the book-I already know the basic stich for that one--hooray!

I am glad Dustin explained the many types of beads at the beginning and how to use sequins as well. I feel much more comfortable with the whole concept of seed beading as a whole. This is a very worthwhile book which I have enjoyed reading, will use and refer to, and I am glad I bought!

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting Started with Seed Beads, October 14, 2007

By 

M. Manning - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Getting Started with Seed Beads (Getting Started series) (Hardcover)

In my opinion, this is the very best book for a beginning seed beader. It has clear directions and great glossy photos. I had so much fun with the bracelets, that made way too many and am now selling them at two shops. After beading with crystals, gem stones and hematite, I find seed beading much more interesting. The next step will be embroidering with seed beads.