From the simplest rope of shimmering jet to the opulence of a pair of rainbow-colored earrings, The Book of Beads is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of beads. In lavish photographs, this book catalogs a vast assortment of the world's beads and shows you how to create a wide variety of stunning jewelry.

To help you identify beads and select those you would like to use in your jewelry making, The Book of Beads includes a spectacular full-color photographic guide to more than 1,000 rare, ethnic, and contemporary beads, detailing their origins and special features.

The Book of Beads sets out the indispensable guidelines for creating your own imaginative jewelry designs. It shows how to select and match beads by shape and weight and high-lights effective color mixes.

The core of the book is a series of exciting practical projects showing how to make jewelry for everyday and evening wear, as well as holidays and other special occasions. There are original design ideas for Christmas and wedding jewelry, imaginative creations based on ethnic themes, ideas for beading fabric and accessories, and much, much more. A photographic section guides you step by step through the basic jewelry-making and beading techniques.

The Book of Beads is a stunning and invaluable sourcebook of practical information and inspirational ideas -- the essential companion for every bead enthusiast.

Amazon.com Review
This stunning volume utilizes glorious color photos to catalog all types of beads (glass, wood, metal, ceramic, natural, semiprecious, plastic, novelty, and collectible), offer design guidelines on planning jewelry (considerations of bead shape, texture, size, weight, and color), and document various practical considerations (findings, equipment, basic how-tos of creating earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches). The section on themes and special occasions, complete with directions for each project, features designs for evening wear, summer styles, holiday looks, weddings, children's items, and African- and Indian-inspired pieces. Even the purely informational and visual spreads (those without actual how-to instructions) offer endless inspiration and ideas for beaded creations.