Customer Reviews

Mastering Beadwork

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I had high hopes for this book. As another review said, it would be great to have all the off-loom techniques in one place. They are, I guess.

I found the book sorely lacking in diagrams (an absolute necessity for off-loom beading), and what few diagrams there are, are small and hard to see. To make matters worse, the written instructions are brief and often confusing (and in one case, I think, wrong). Frequently the projects introduce new methods which are not diagrammed or explained in the introductory material, and in fact, sometimes are hardly diagrammed or explained at all.

This could have been the definitive book on off-loom beading techniques, but it lacks so much that it is just another pretty book.

While I am not a new beader, this book still offers great techniques and projects. The format is great with a spiral binding for easy access. I am especially impressed with the fact that Ms. Cypher has put in print lessons that she has taught at major bead shows namely "Bead Happy Bracelet" and "Supple, Shiny and Shapely Bracelet." There might even be more, but these are two bracelets which I am aware of.

Good information covering supplies--especially explaining the different threads and what they're for, along with basic information to get you going.

She covers all the necessary stiches: Peyote, Dutch Spiral (some more inspiration and new or updated examples as in as she calls it "Bam! Kick That Dutch Spiral Up a Notch! Bead"), Netting, Spiral Rope (especially well done with some bi-cones worked in for bling instead of just regular glass beads! ), Right Angle Weave (a super pattern for a bracelet using larger beads and pearls--a nice change), Triangle Weave, Square Stich, Daisy Chain, Ladder Stich, Herringbone Stich, Brick Stitch, African Polygon, African Helix (again, well done), South African Scallop and Bead Crochet. She does a super job giving you directions to make a beaded bead for a clasp or focal point--something I've wanted to know how to make. For that time when you want that "special" closure on your piece. Also beaded beads from beads--which any addicted beader will appreciate. The cover piece is not specifically identified as far as directions go--although with so much information supplied, I could have missed it.

Great color photos. Nice bead selection--nothing weird or hard to find. Well written with a sprinkle of humor here and there. Super examples.

If you're a very experienced beader and you're looking for a Melanie Potter, Cynthia Rutledge or Marcia DeCoster type project that is time consuming and real involved, this might not be what this book offers. What it does offer is a great format for all the major stiches, super examples which are well written and some adorable colorways which you might find interesting and inspiring, a variety of beads and bead sizes used in a very user-friendly format.

I would call this a welcome addition to any library for beaders. I am very happy with the book and look forward to making some of the projects shown here. As I said in the title for my review, "Well done Carol!"

This is not a book for beginners. For example, the first project uses basket-weave crimp end findings and a ball and socket closure and requires the beader to teach herself how to solder the jump rings closed. Yikes, that is a lot to ask. Most projects have incomplete directions, enough to get started, but not the step-by-step details needed for the entire project. Illustrations are not clearly marked with color or arrows to indicate the direction in which to progress. Difficult to follow.

One of the newest attempts at a comprehensive guide to off-loom beading. The book is beautifully bound, with a coiled center binding that allows the pages to lay flat for easy use when working on learning a new stitch or technique or when completing an associated project. Diverse, lovely, and relevant projects are presented throughout in gorgeous color photographs. Directions are clear and easy to understand. Pink or maize highlighted blocks throughout the book present tips on the technique being demonstrated or creativity teases entitled "Try this..." are unique to this volume and give the reader the kind of information that is usually given face to face rather than in print. Also, along with the tried and true forms of beadweaving many stitches that may be unfamiliar to some are also well represented. The names associated with some techniques may be the same that you are used to or slightly different. That author advises you to be accepting and respectful of the stitches on their own, whatever name is used, as they represent the culture and the style period of the beaders that develped the technique. This is a great book that ranks right up there with the most highly rated volumes of this type. Giving you an alternate means to understanding the least or most familiar stitches in your repertoire, "Mastering Beadwork" gives the beader an opportunity to either walk along a familiar path or blaze a new trail.

I took the book out of the library before considering purchasing this. The book is comprehensive and has wonderful ideas, but I don't understand why the graphs don't have enough detail. If this is supposed to be an instructional book about off-loom techniques, then there should be more instructions and graphs.

I purchased this book because I was so smitten with the necklace on the cover. I opened as soon as it arrived, and paged through many times trying to find the directions and materials list for the necklace ON THE COVER.
Nothing but a little sidebar. There are many pictures on this website - under 'see inside this book' which are not shown in the book. Why would you so deliberately show a necklace on the cover that is not included in the projects?????

I also agree with other reviewers that the how-to illustrations are sketchy at best.
Too bad, because the quality of the book with the spiral is great - and the projects are very interesting.
I still want to make that necklace!!!!

VERY disappointing - basic beadweaving techniques are explained in such an unclear way which is a pity because some of the illustrations are good but not carried through. I also found the projects pretty ordinary - I was expecting to learn techniques not shown in other books. I would not call this book Mastering Beadwork - rather - More Ideas for Beadwork.

I was hoping this new book would offer some new techniques...not really. It is a good basic book for beginners, or if it's been a long time since you've made a piece in a particular stitch, you can refresh your memory on the basics. I loved the idea that the book is spiral bound like a cookbook - but became annoyed by the inclusion of 'mise en place' with each project! The cooking terminology is explained on page 8 - 'nuf said. The other cooking reference is the list of supplies for each project being called "ingredients." I don't want to be reminded of kitchen duties when I'm beading! The author was a chef for many years and is caught in the vocabulary of that workplace. Beadwork has its own vocabulary and which should be employed here.

I have made a couple of the projects and had one that came out very different from the photographed piece using the same bead sizes - others may have better luck. I was disappointed not to find instructions on methods of increasing and decreasing in peyote and other processes in beadwork as the book claims to instruct in 'mastering beadwork.' Some of the projects are interesting, none are above a beginner (shortcoming - there should have been some projects to 'stretch' a reader), although I agree with other reviewers that more - and better - illustrations are needed. I thought the index in the back was very helpful...just to look something up quick and then go back to my own creations! This book is a good attempt to gather basic instructions for the various types of beadwork together in one volume...may the next one be more comprehensive.

This rates up there with Carol Wilcox Wells books - good variety of off bead techniques - lots of great projects - great inspiration for seed beaders!

I have been an avid beadwork artist since the age of 12. Im 33 now, and have leared LOTS of stitches, techniques, and variations--from all over the world.
This book is fantastic! It has a lot of great project, most of them are somewhat advanced i suppose. Very clear pictures, and it is spiral bound, which makes it really easy to follow the steps if you need to.
I highly reccommend this book it truly is a wealth of projects, and you can use it for inspiration too.
10 stars!