The Complete Idiot’s Guide: Beading Basics Review

I’m attracted to beads. I love them on bracelets and necklaces and am fascinated by the patience of the person who places them strategically on purses, tee shirts, jeans, and more. I have a confession, I want to learn how to bead!

Thanks to The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Beading Basics, I can learn this beautiful art at my own speed. Sixteen chapters are grouped into four book sections that guide me in my quest to bead.  The first part talks about The Venerable, Adaptable Bead. Here the reader is introduced to beads, the tools and vocabulary of beading, and how to interpret the design.

The second section digs a little deeper into what you need to string a bad, the basics of bead stringing, off-loom bead weaving, getting started on a loom, and more about looms.

The third section talks about wire—the types of wire, basic wire-work techniques, and more.

Finally, part four takes on beads on fabric, around the house and more. Covering beads in stitches, elegant embellishments, decorating with beadwork, a safe and organized work area, and even how to make your own beads!

Like all Complete Idiot’s Guides, Beading Basics is precise. There are illustrations and step-by-step instructions.  I enjoyed reading about the techniques and am looking forward to sitting down and implementing them. I’ve made paper beads with my girls, which has been a great experience.

I am looking forward to now learning how to make wooden and clay beads with them.

I wish there were colored photographs. There are photographs throughout the book; however, I don’t think black and white pictures do justice to vibrant beads or placed so impeccably that they transform into a work of art.

If you’ve been admiring beadwork from afar or have an interest in learning this art form, I encourage you to check out Georgene Lockwood’s The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Beading Basics. It’s a great start to creating beaded pieces for yourself and others.

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