Compendium of Beading Techniques: 300 tips, techniques and trade secrets Paperback – 1 Sept. 2009

This book is lovely to look at and is destined to become a firm favourite. When I buy a crafting book I want to see hints, tips, information, photos, diagrams and masses of inspiration. What I usually seem to end up with is a great wodge of text at the beginning of the book detailing the entire world history of the craft (or, worse still, the author) before getting to the nitty-gritty of why I bought it in the first place. This book has very little preamble, apart from what is essential to be able to appreciate what follows, and I was deeply engrossed very quickly.Rather than projects to tackle it offers clear information and illustrations, dangling in front of you the virtually irresistable temptation to have a go at all the different techniques. This pleased me no end (does anyone actually make those naff slippers, bell pulls and spectacle cases that crop up with nauseating regularity in other books?) but you get all the details you need regarding materials, tools, findings, threads, and suppliers to hopefully set you off on a wildly creative journey of your own.If you want projects and patterns to follow or a tome on the history of beading then look for something else to cover your needs, but I would really recommend you buy this one too because it will fill in all the gaps the others leave and give you a better understanding of the subject.There is only one very slight downside - it's a soft-covered volume which I suspect may not entirely stand up to the amount of handling it's going to get from me.

Plenty of useful information for beginner and more experienced.

A comprehensive guide on all aspects of beading.Well laid out and presented,easy to understand instructions.Those who are relatively new to this delightful and creative craft,would certainly benefit by keeping a copy close at hand for easy reference.Full of tips,hints,solutions and general information on tools,accessories and an assortment of popular and more complex weaving stitches.The inclusion of a Wirework feature and the Spiral Ropes section are interesting.A good amount of information pertaining to materials and their uses is particularly handy.When you firt started beading,how many times did you find yourself looking at something,and asking yourself what the hell it was?What is it used for? And how the hell do you use it????

I bought this book because i am just starting out with learning how to bead so i needed something that was easy to read and understand. This book is nicely presented and easy to understand with nice little photos showing different beading techniques. Its full of information aimed at someone who is just learning how to bead. It explains the different techniques clearly and in a simple language. It also shows all the different types of tools and components involved in beading and explains what each one is for. I would definently recommend this book for anyone who has no experience in beading as it is a simple book teaching you all the basics that you need to get started in beading.

Excellent book for all the basic beading techniques.It covers all the basic essentials that you need to know together with design hints and tips. The photographs and coloured line drawings together with plainly written text explain everything logically step by step. Just what you need.At the back of the book there is a list of suppliers, web sites and societies, useful for being able to source beading materials (not always easily available in local shops - especially if you live in the country like I do).A good value for money book - I don't think you will be disappointed.

As a beginner this is the book I've been looking for. It shows me everything i wanted to know about beading techniques, tools needed and how to use them and types of beads as well as design ideas Its very easy to get to grips with thanks to the picture illustrations for everything. I don't think anything has been left out Its the only book i'll ever need on the subject - and it is also great value for money Thank you

I bought this to get inspiration and maybe some ideas of some possible patterns. This book is great at showing different techniques, its not so great at providing simple patterns to go with the technique they've just taught you.

Lots of lovely ideas to make a variety of bead projects varying in difficulty.