Book Review: Seed Bead Stitching by Beth Stone

by teribaskett on March 4, 2009

Excerpt Page

Excerpt Page

Kalmbach Books produced this book and I scored a copy to review!  This book includes an introduction to basic seed bead information and stitches. It begins with a concise overview of seed beads, as well as needles, thread conditioner, and terms.  Everyone will appreciate this; if you aren’t sure of the different sizes and types of beads then it will be useful and informative.  But you won’t find that half of the book is consumed with descriptions and terminology, instead of projects! Don’t assume this is a beginner book only!  There are innovative examples of ways to expand your use of a particular stitch into new creations.

 

 

It is almost impossible to count the number of projects in this book.  A new stitch is introduced but then she immediately begins to show you several modifications you can do.  By including so many examples of how to vary a stitch, how different the pattern will be by using different sizes and styles of beads, this book gives you tons of information.  Many other beading books tend to have a finite list of projects, with very few ways to vary the design.  Not here!  Beth is sharing her love of beads and stitch designs with all of us.  Even if you know some basic stitches, you will still be inspired with new designs by exploring  all the examples included.  Beth also tells how she managed to turn some “mistakes” into designs.

There were 2 additions I was pleased to find.  First was how Beth included instructions on adding drops to your designs, with top drilled beads and teardrop shapes.  Second was a section on incorporating your own toggle clasp in your design.  I think this really adds a cohesive finishing touch to a piece, since you aren’t adding an outside component at all.  In fact, in one example, the toggle looks almost like a pendant!  My favorite piece is called the “Nona Collar.”  It has 5 rows of beads in different colors and shapes.  The combinations of just this one pattern are absolutely endless in variations.  Don’t miss this one. 

I was delighted at the quality and variety in this book.  It’s slim with slightly under 100 pages but you will find lots of information and designs packed inside.  She is very free with her expertise and open with how to take any pattern in this book and alter it to fit your needs.  I found her suggestion to work with a new pattern to make earrings a great idea; you can practice a pattern but work on smaller projects.  While her initial stitch instructions begin with basic patterns all the extras included in this book take it far beyond the beginner stage.  Seed Bead Stitching provides something for everyone who does or wants to work with seed bead stitching. 

You can get this now at amazon.com

teribaskett

teribaskett

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