Beading for the Absolute Beginner

Liz Thornton is a beadwork artist with a passion for teaching. She has run classes in London since 1995 and travels widely to tutor at beadwork events and colleges and for private groups. A founding member of The Beadworkers Guild, she co-edited the Guild's Introduction to Beadwork books and edited its Journal for three years. She is co-author of Beading for Beginners.See more of her beadwork and contact her at www.lizthornton.comBeadwork Magazine Designer of the Year 2018, Jean Power is the author of eight books on beading and jewellery making. Jean is based in London in the UK but travels extensively teaching, showcasing her designs and talking about her work. A self-taught jewellery designer she is world-renowned for bringing a unique modern twist to this ancient art-form.

Originally published back in 2006 this is a spiral bound reprint which stays obligingly flat while you are working through it.  The Contents pages give a good idea of how the beading lessons are organized, each section showing how to make an item or two and use different tools, materials and techniques.  It starts off with a handy overview of bead types, tools, findings and threads and has some useful points to think about when designing one’s own pieces.  Unlike many hobbies even beginner beaders seldom work exclusively from kits and patterns so this is an essential inclusion.  There are also tips for when buying items and hints on how to use the tools.  Projects include simple bead stringing, using crimps, working with jump rings, tying knots in cord, working with wire and more.  All the pieces are either contemporary or timeless and a wide variety of items are covered from necklaces and earrings to a hair decoration, key ring, watch strap and “barefoot sandals” for the beach.  This is a book to have a good look through before buying anything as jewelry making has so many different parts and no beginner will need to buy everything.  With all these basic techniques under their belt any tyro beader will be at intermediate stage after working through it all – this is an excellent book for beginners.