Whether you’ve been beading for a while or you’re entirely new to the craft, you’ve doubtless got lots of questions that need answers. But finding those answers can almost require becoming a full-time sleuth, searching through piles of books, class handouts, and magazine articles — at least it did until now. The book you’re now holding conveniently provides answers to all the key beading questions you’re likely to have while you’re learning, from the essentials of stringing to how to get started with special techniques such as bead crochet. So tuck this little beading bible into your bag and keep it handy. It will serve as a faithful companion and guide while you travel the often topsy-turvy road to beading knowledge.
The students in my classes are always bursting with questions. I have gathered more than 300 of the most urgent questions together in this book, and answered them as if we were sitting together in a private class. But unlike information given in a class, these answers will be available to you anytime, anywhere, day or night.
If you’re new to beading, you may look at the sheer quantity of information contained in these pages and say, “Good grief, what are they talking about?” It’s true; beading can seem overwhelming at first. But once you’ve taken the first few steps, I’ll bet, if you’re like me, that you’ll just want to learn more; and little by little, the information will fit together and make sense.
One great thing about the diversity of beadwork is that we are all beginners at some aspect of beading! What we love is the process of discovery and adventure. Beads are like puzzle pieces — tiny particles of color and light that can be arranged and configured in an infinite variety of pleasing ways.
Many of us spend our days working with numbers and spreadsheets, or words and contracts, or difficult people (feel free to toss in a couple of toddlers and piles of laundry here). I invite you to step away from all that for a moment, and try bringing some light and color into your life. Just a few minutes of working with your beads, even if you’re only organizing them, can cleanse your mind of prior thoughts (what was it that I was worrying about?) and refresh your outlook, like a form of meditation.
Please join us.