Bead Style magazines are a wonderful source of inspirational designs which are not only attractive and different but relatively easy.

So it was a delight to receive Kalmbach Publishing's Easy Beading Vol. 7 for review. It's a compilation of the best projects from their 7th year.

The projects have been gathered under these categories :
  • Gemstones
  • Crystals
  • Metal and Chain
  • Glass,Ceramic and Pearls
  • Mixed Media
More advanced beaders will definitely find many of the projects too simple. But there are sprinklings of wire work, resin, photo charm, mixed media projects to tempt even the most jaded palate.

Shown here are some of my favorite designs from the book. For a preview of the book, zoom over here.

The clever asymmetrical necklace by Mary Champion uses not one but 3 bails!


This resin design by Steven James uses real life saver candy to make the molds.

Wire lace may not be on some people's radar but it really gives a different look to jewelry designs such as the foliage like necklace by Linda Hartung :


A couple of the chain projects were really fun to make like this elastic cord and chain bracelet by Elizabeth O'Hara :


Some of the stunning components featured include Katie Hacker's Katiedids double circle pendant shown on the cover. Another is a real butterfly wing pendant . Don't fret, these are eco components.  The wings fall to the Amazon forest floor at the end of the butterflies' life cycle where they are collected.

Website sources were cited for the above components but not others. I really wished they did include where to buy the magnetic v clasp in Cathy Jackicic's fabulous beadwoven necklace below.  Aside from the lack of a resource page, the book did inspire me in many places!


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