Jean Power - Big Book of Weekend Beading: Step-by-Step Instructions for 30+ Quick Beading Projects

Big Book of
Weekend Beading

Big Book of Weekend Beading

CompanionHouse Books is an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishers International Ltd.

Project Team

Vice PresidentContent: Christopher Reggio

Editor: Anthony Regolino

Copy Editor: Laura Taylor

Design: Mary Ann Kahn

Index: Jay Kreider

Copyright 2006, 2018 by IMM Lifestyle Books

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Fox Chapel Publishers, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

ISBN 978-1-62008-282-9

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Cotgrove, Natalie, editor. | Power, Jean, editor.

Title: Big book of weekend beading / edited by Jean Power ; with contributions from Natalie Cotgrove, Umbreen Hafeez, Cheryl Owen, and Julie Smallwood.

Description: Mount Joy, PA : CompanionHouse Books, 2018. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017054448 | ISBN 9781620082829 (softcover)

Subjects: LCSH: Beadwork. | Bead embroidery.

Classification: LCC TT860 .B5496 2018 | DDC 745.594/2--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017054448

This book has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher expressly disclaim any responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein.

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Step-by-Step Instructions for
30+ Quick Beading Projects

Edited by Jean Power

With Contributions from Natalie Cotgrove,

Umbreen Hafeez, Cheryl Owen, and Julie Smallwood

Quick Beading Projects

Versatile, colorful, decorative, and glamorousbeads add sparkle and pizzazz to everyday items and make some exquisite pieces of jewelry.

It doesnt matter whether youre new to beading or whether youre already an experienced crafter, youll be sure to find something here thats fun to make. It might be a piece of stylish jewelry, an embellished article of clothing, or a unique item for the home. Beautiful beads, gemstone chips, pearls, and crystals are a joy to work with, and this book contains projects ranging from a beaded throw to a decorated lamp shade, necklaces and charm bracelets, earrings and pendants. There are classic styles, such as a strand of pearls and embroidered napkins, and also more contemporary pieces, including a charm ring and a necklace created with Bali beads.

Four chapters cover all the main areas of beading: general beadwork, stringing, bead embroidery, and wirework. There are more than 30 projects featured in the book, and each chapter is designed to start you off with a few simple projects and then lead you on to more intricate work, always with full instructions on techniques and helpful step-by-step photographs.

A huge range of beads and materials is used, beginning with basic beading thread and wire and moving on to colored cord and ribbons, all chosen to set off the specific finish of the beads. Youll be amazed at the variety of looks you can achieve by using some simple findings, a selection of pretty beads, and a couple of basic tools.

Try combining different beadssuch as glass beads, semiprecious stones, charms, shells, and sequinsto get a vibrant and unique effect, and use the project suggestions to create your own ideas by mixing colors, sizes, and textures.

All the essential techniques are thoroughly explained at the beginning of the book. The first chapter not only explains all the useful terminology used in the projects but it also has detailed instructions on such skills as how to begin and finish threading on beads, how to work with wire, using a loom, making a beaded fringe, and embroidering using beads. Make sure you read through this section first so that you have all the information you need to get started with these amazing projects.

Take advantage of the eclectic and gorgeous selection of beads that are readily available to you, and have fun adding a little sparkle to your home and accessories!

At the heart of all beadwork are the beads themselves. Beads are available in thousands of combinations of colors, sizes, materials, and designs. Whether made of glass, shell, stone, crystal, wood, paper, bone, or plastic, all it takes to make a bead is a hole you can take a thread through. Below are details on the most commonly available beads, all of which are featured in this book.

Glass beads come in many different sizes and shapes: drops, cubes, rice-shaped, daggers, hearts, and squares to name a few. Bought individually or in mixed sets, they can be used to add texture and color to any project.

Cylinder beads fall under the same category as seed beads, but have straight sides and look like sections of tubing. Available in hundreds of colors, they are much more accurately sized than regular seed beads and are perfect if you want to have a uniform look to your work.

Pearls are always popular in jewelry. They vary from glass and cultured to naturally grown, and are now available in many different sizes, colors, and shapes. As with semiprecious beads, pearls often have small holes, so take this into account when deciding how you want to use them or use a bead reamer to enlarge the holes.