Newsletter 65, Summer 2007
This book on beading is very informative and well illustrated. The stitching techniques are clear making it simple to follow the instructions. The designs are also beautifully photographed and have encouraged me to consider embroidering more with beads. Definitely a book to buy.
Eileen Barden, Launceston
* West Country Embroiderers *
July 2006
This book contains all the information you would ever need to know about beads and their uses. It is very well illustrated with full colour photographs and shows techniques and stitches including tambour work and sequins. There are beautifully worked examples illustrated and at the end of the book are clear diagrams of the designs so that they could be used by novice stitchers or as a basis for further development by the more experienced. Particularly interesting is the section on fringes, showing some inspiring decorative work which could be used as edgings or as a basis for jewellery.
* Merseyside Embroiderers Guild *
August 2006
If you love beads and embroidery, this glorious book combines the two in sumptuous splendour as only those at Country Bumpkin Publications know how. This is the thirteenth entry into the A-Z series, but there is nothing unlucky about it. Whether you are into wearable art, soft furnishings or pictures there is something here for everybody.
As usual, the pieces are from a variety of designers and have this look about them of being dazzlingly advanced. However, if you are familiar with forming even fairly simple embroidery stitches these excellent photographic staged instructions ought to have you beading like a pro fairly quickly. The way in which every tiny step has its own separate high-resolution photo and written instructions makes for a foolproof combination, and I don't think I ever learned anything so fast. Other writers of how-to books take note! As for the projects, these include several floral studies, some abstract, dragonflies and a lovely bead adorned portrait as well as edgings that would make great jewellery with a little adaptation. The photography is superb, as are the invariable little additional touches such as 18th and 19th century floral paintings make this a truly beautiful book as well as a formidably useful one. This is definitely another one for the keeper shelf.
* Myshelf.com *
Sept 06
Another in this Australian A-Z series, the book gives brief instructions for basic beading methods and materials. The format then is to show pieces from bead artists from around the world. Some of the pieces are lovely and full instructions are given on how to make them. Unfortunately, the photography is not good although you can usually work out the method. It has to be said that one or two pics are so fuzzy that this is not possible. What a shame; it would have been a lovely book.
* Workshop On The Web *
No. 45, Feb/Mar 07
With more than 440 step-by-step photographs and 30 excellent projects, this book is very simple to follow. It covers such techniques as tambour beading, beadpoint, padded beading, how to handle sequins and bugle beads, and more. The best tools for the task are also discussed as well as how to identify different beads. A very useful book to have in your stitching library.
* Stitch *
Feb/Mar 08
Another book from the team that publish 'Inspirations' magazine. This book is full of over 440 step-by-step photos and over 30 ornate projects. We felt that the instructions and projects were clear so it may be ideal for beginners and more advanced beaders/embroiderers alike.
* Bead *
