Customer Reviews

Seed Bead Stitching

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Introduction is kept to a minimal 6 pages which includes very helpful material on seed beads. Chapters are peyote, brick, right angle weave, tri and quad stitches, daisy chain, spiral rope stitch and Russian stitches. Each chapter has a good basic project followed by variations that would interest the more experienced beader. Also there are many suggestions for changing the project perhaps from earrings to also a bracelet and necklace. All the steps in a project are shown with color photos. Steps of procedure are clearly explained and the materials list is very similar to that in the Bead and button magazines. Projects include several quick ones like rings and earrings as well as bracelets, etc. I made her striped ring in brick stitch and found it to be great to wear even though I never thought of wearing rings before. Today I made the daisy chain set above. There are so many good ideas here . The book is so well written that it's almost like the author is sitting by telling me how to proceed. If you enjoy working with seed beads, definitely pick up this one.

I have many good books & magazines on beading but I was blown away by Beth Stones designs. She shares my love of combining metallic beads with pearls & fills the book with many beautiful & unusual combinations.
She covers basic stitches as well as others like Russian Spiral, Tri & Quad stitches, which other books often do not.

Her instructions are clear & a beginner could work slowly through the book gaining experience with each project. Experienced stitchers will love the modern designs. My only regret is that she doesn't give quantities of beads needed - a possible problem for those with less experience. Otherwise, one of the top 3 books on bead weaving that I own.

MANY BEADING BOOKS ARE MADE FOR THE NOVICE OR BEGINNING BEADER. THIS BOOK , HOWEVER, HAS GOOD INFORMATION FOR THE EXPERIENCED BEADER. THERE ARE HINTS AND LITTLE "TRICKS" THAT CAN HELP HONE ONE'S CRAFT. THE PICTURES AND DIAGRAMS ARE CLEAR AND VERY EASY TO FOLLOW

This happened to be the first seed bead book I bought, and though I've collected a few others, it remains my favorite. The instructions are clear, the illustrations are excellent, and the project ideas are inspiring (and do-able). My favorite: The spiral stitch -- see the design shown on the cover in Crayola-like colors. It was not only fun to make, but came out exactly as shown. The book is organized in a way that makes sense: after an overview of the materials you will need, there is a chapter devoted to each stitch (with variations). It's full of pretty things you'd actually like to make. (Please note this is seed bead stitching - there is no loom work.)

I was excited to see a book that would help me visualize someone else's experimentation with basic stitches. However, after it arrived I realized most of the pieces shown were done with "bead soup", a mixture of different types, shapes, sizes, and colors of seed beads. While a few examples made this way would have been interesting I found myself overwhelmed by the vast array of different beads per piece and unable to easily follow the thread path, making the projects look very similar after a while. So many different beads in one piece makes it busy and visually tiring as there's nowhere to rest your eyes and no pattern to move your vision naturally through the piece, just a jumble of colors, shapes and sizes. I didn't send it back, but then again if I'd been able to page through it beforehand I wouldn't have bought it in the first place.

Patricia, beading and designing for 6 yrs.

Want to learn how to properly use seed beads for designs that can be uniquely yours - GET THIS BOOK FIRST. Learn the patterns and yes, even like this author (including myself) you may want to throw your early attempts across the room. But keep at it. Once you master even a few basic stitches through the author's guidance and your determination, I am certain all can readily design their own works of seed bead art. The only factor about this book that I would have liked to see is a few more schematic sketches of the next few rows of beading. However, follow the rules and then create. Other beading projects including cabachon beading first involve the basic stitches - and this book is the best in my library of numerous seed beading books.

This is the best seed bead book I have found. I own 12 books, and of the 12, this one is by far the one that I used the most. When I started seed beading, I got really frustrated and kept hoping for a book that would give clear concise directions. THIS IS THE ONE! The instructions are very easy and the illustrations really help.

"Seed Bead Stitching: Creative Variations On Traditional Techniques" by needlecraft and beadcraft expert Beth Stone offers aspiring beaders with easy-to-follow, superbly illustrated, step-by-step, do-it-yourself instructions through the process of creating stylish jewelry with seed beads. Readers will learn how to make distinctive and unique jewelry pieces (including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings) using the peyote stitch, the brick stitch, the right-angle wave, the spiral rope, the St. Petersburg chain, and more. Informed, informative, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Seed Beat Stitching" is an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal and community library instructional reference collections.

I LOVE this book!!! She explains the technique for stitches in a manner that is easy to understand, unlike any other instructions I've ever encountered. After reading her instructions, I have been able to do stitches that I haven't been able to do reading other people's instructions.

This is a very creative book by a very gifted artist. Very detailed instructions. I really like it better than most beading books.