Kalmbach Publishing who produce Bead and Button magazine just sent me this exciting new bead work how-to book called Your Seed Bead Style.

I was impressed with the top-notch quality of the projects as well as the sheer number of them (27) for a book that's priced just $17.95.  So doing the math, that's less than 70 cents per project. Definitely worth it if you are bead work artisan at heart.


The instructions are much the same as in the Bead and Button magazines - text as well as smaller step diagrams or thumbnails.


I also liked the care taken in choosing projects which ranged from beginner to advanced. Several different types of stitches were used such as peyote, herringbone, square stitch, bead embroidery, tatting, right-angle weave and bead crochet.


Did I like all the designs? No, but I liked the vast majority of them. Many of them got me itching to try them out. There was something for everyone - ornate and simple styles.

Sure there were plenty of the inspirational ones like the cabochon beaded cuff and a few which weren't really innovative. However, what was cool were the projects which went beyond the traditional bead work designs. My favorites were :
  • Free form peyote bracelet with hardware dangles
  • Scarf embellishment which consisted of a really pretty beaded tube which carried part of a scarf
  • A couple of chain maille meets bead work bracelets
  • Wire mesh with bead and lamp work necklace
  • Beaded needle tatted necklace (below) - the designer gave lots of useful tips.

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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
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