Rating: 
Summary: Best for help with 'the projects in your head'...
Review: ... as the reviewer Caren said below. I LOVE the fact that this handy little guide wastes no space (and none of my time) with someone else's idea of pretty and-or useful projects. My sole interest is in embroidery with beads -- there are about 10 pp on that, with good stitch-and-bead drawings. You'll also find sections on beads in knitting, crocheting, macrame, stringing, and loom, and off-loom techniques; charts on bead sizes, thread sizes, and types of beading needles; and more.
Rating:
Summary: Best for help with 'the projects in your head'...
Review: ... as the reviewer Caren said below. I LOVE the fact that this handy little guide wastes no space (and none of my time) with someone else's idea of pretty and-or useful projects. My sole interest is in embroidery with beads -- there are about 10 pp on that, with good stitch-and-bead drawings. You'll also find sections on beads in knitting, crocheting, macrame, stringing, and loom, and off-loom techniques; charts on bead sizes, thread sizes, and types of beading needles; and more.
Rating:
Summary: This is a excellent comprehensive purse/briefcase size book.
Review: Do not make the mistake I did and buy a lot of books first to get started in beading. This book covers all the questions you will have. I won't spoil the fun and tell you all the goodies. But it does cover a lot. A few items are: On and off loom weaving techniques; tools, findings, threads, what they are called and how to use them. There are bead size charts, measuring charts and tip boxes throughout. How to use wire, cord making, finishing and knots. There is more but the fun of a new book is being surprised. So I'll tell you no more except, it has good clean black and white illustrations and the print is easy on the eyes. This compact book ends with five different graphs and comes in a plastic protective cover. The one thing that would be helpful are lined note pages. For the beading ideas that will spring up and beading sources/suppliers you will come across. BECAUSE YOU WILL WANT TO CARRY THIS BOOK WITH YOU!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reference book
Review: I bought this book because it was recommended as a good beginner's guide and I must say that it is. I can also see using this book when I become more experienced. Well..laid out and written.
Rating:
Summary: Just The Facts! The Nuts and Bolts, Too!
Review: I live in an area where there are no beading classes/workshops, bead stores, or beading buddies. It's just me with the urge to start beading, NOW!! I work from my own ideas and designs, I just needed to learn the basics and what kind of beads might work best for the projects in my head. This book fills the bill, and as previous reviewers mentioned, it is compact enough to keep in your beading supply kit. It may not be the only beading book you'll acquire, but it truly is a companion book! Thank you, Beadwork Magazine, for publishing this no-nonsense book!
Rating:
Summary: Just The Facts! The Nuts and Bolts, Too!
Review: I live in an area where there are no beading classes/workshops, bead stores, or beading buddies. It's just me with the urge to start beading, NOW!! I work from my own ideas and designs, I just needed to learn the basics and what kind of beads might work best for the projects in my head. This book fills the bill, and as previous reviewers mentioned, it is compact enough to keep in your beading supply kit. It may not be the only beading book you'll acquire, but it truly is a companion book! Thank you, Beadwork Magazine, for publishing this no-nonsense book!
Rating:
Summary: Lifesaver for the beginning beader!
Review: If you're just getting started in beading, and have been browsing stores, feeling overwhelmed not knowing what you need to get started, or how to get started, you definitely can use this book! The Companion covers an introduction to EVERYTHING from types of beads and the differences between their finishes, sizing, threads and other equipment, both looming and off loom stitching, stringing, even working with embroidery, wire....and some blank graphs to plan projects drawn according to the stitch (Peyote, brick, square, etc). The book teaches the basic stitches close up and step by step, and each one I have tried has worked out! It comes in a cute size also, and spiral bound so it won't slam shut on you when you're stitching. Keep in mind it does not have any patterns for any projects, but gets you the skills to be able to work with project books, and to go to the bead store and know what to ask for.
Rating:
Summary: Lifesaver for the beginning beader!
Review: If you're just getting started in beading, and have been browsing stores, feeling overwhelmed not knowing what you need to get started, or how to get started, you definitely can use this book! The Companion covers an introduction to EVERYTHING from types of beads and the differences between their finishes, sizing, threads and other equipment, both looming and off loom stitching, stringing, even working with embroidery, wire....and some blank graphs to plan projects drawn according to the stitch (Peyote, brick, square, etc). The book teaches the basic stitches close up and step by step, and each one I have tried has worked out! It comes in a cute size also, and spiral bound so it won't slam shut on you when you're stitching. Keep in mind it does not have any patterns for any projects, but gets you the skills to be able to work with project books, and to go to the bead store and know what to ask for.
Rating: 
Summary: UPSIDEDOWN!
Review: It is a very good feature to give us the opportunity to review a few pages at this website, BUT these samples would be MUCH easier to read if they were RIGHTSIDE UP.
Rating:
Summary: Don't leave home without it!
Review: The Beader's Companion is everything it's title suggests. The Beader's Companion covers beading terminology, how-to bead, what materials are needed for beading. Clear concise directions are included for just about every method of beading, with each method listed on small, sturdy pages. Included with the directions are easy to understand diagrams. And for each method of beading covered, there is a blank beading pattern template. Frankly, it doesn't get any better than this. Not only is this book a perfect gift for yourself and/or anyone with even the slightest interest in beading, it is also a great travel companion. I take the book with me whenever I know I will have time to bead, while on the road. It is the perfect size, construction, and help to finish any beading project I might be working on. I recommend this book to anyone who beads, and anyone who would like to learn how to bead. This book is THE Beader's Companion. lunartic.cindy@gte.net
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