Product Description

This book’s a knockout! Master beader Diane Fitzgerald teaches her award-winning techniques for creating gorgeous geometric jewelry. More than 20 truly stunning projects, all using peyote stitch, come in a variety of flat and dimensional shapes, from triangles, teardrops, and pentagons to tetrahedrons, cubes, and diamonds. Sleek, contemporary, and breathtaking, these beadwoven pieces are perfect for the intermediate crafter—but with such clear and detailed instructions, even beginners will give them a try!

Customer Reviews (62)

Shaped Beadwork
I also was really looking forward to this book and was eager to try making the 3 dimensional beads shown on the cover.I have tried to puzzle out how they were made, but the instructions are not clear.It would have been helpful if there had been more illustrations or pictures of the newer techniques.I had never heard of nailhead beads before, but I did find them.I think Diane has forgotten that some of us are not masters and still need explicit instructions instead of generalizations.It seemed she was so into making the beads that she forgot some of us wanted to know how and not see pictures of finished beads.There are some beautiful patterns in the photographs, for other samples, but no information about how to bead the pattern.

Shaped Beadwork
Excellent book, Diane opens up a whole new world of jewelry design with dimensional peyote stitch.Instantly thought of designs that could be made with these techniques.Instructions are clear and the illustrations very helpful.Highly recommend this book for those who wish to push their designs further.

Diane Fitzgerald's Shaped B... (Hardcover) by Diane Fitzgerald
This is a MUST HAVE book for beaders. It explores the ins and out of geometric beading. The pictures as well as the written instructions are superb. It is a great reference to in problem solving for beaded shapes that you want to combine in your work. I have had numerous comments on any earrings I wear that are off shoots of these patterns! Really expands your beading knowledge.
~Onna~

Excellent, as we've come to expect from Diane Fitzgerald!
This is an excellent book, with very easy to follow instructions and clear and easy to see pictures. Also, the book has many beautiful pictures of finished pieces that you can make yourself. I would recommend it to any serious beader who loves working with seed beads.

Shaped Beadwork
Fantastic book! Thank you Diane for making my learning process so easy! The diagrams are very easy to follow, and my confidence is skyrocketing with all things peyote. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (38)

the best
I have many books on beadweaving but this is definitely the best.Spiral binding makes it wonderfully easy to place whilst using but I especially love the setting out of the different stitches and the accompanying projects.The tips are interesting and useful with each one and her explanations give an excellent logic to the craft.If you only ever buy one book on beadweaving let it be this one!

Great for every level of beader....!!
This book is fantastic for beginners because the author shows step by step directions. And for the experienced beader the projects are great and she manages to give a review of things we might have not done in a while as well as some new techniques.I thoroughly enjoy my book and I refer to it frequently. Being wire bound makes the book easier to use when your "looking" and "working" at the same time.

Comprehensive Basic Book
Love this book, great photos, easy to understand instructions, goes from basic everything to complicated.Well worth the money!!

Mastering beadwork
This book is great for anyone who needs a reference book to have to use anytime during beading. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a book that has all you need for beading from easy project to more advanced project.I will use most of all the projects and
definitely refer back to it again and again.I will recommend it to my beading students as a book to buy.

Beautiful book
I can't say enough about this book. It is gorgeous. The photos are beautiful, the illustrations are easy to follow and the writing is simple and clear. Now I just have to stop looking at it and get beading! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (10)

Authentic American Beadwork and How To Do It
Great book with many pictures and patterns.All are useable and doable, great instructions.Would highly recommend!

Authentic American Indian Beadwork and How to Do It: With 50 Charts for Bead Weaving and 21 Full-Size Patterns for Applique
This book was a bit of a disappointment.There is some instruction for doing beadwork, but the print is in a very small font--making it difficult to read.The only color pictures are on the front and back covers--using both sides of the cover.All charts are in black and white.The markings in the charts are rather light, making them difficult to see.The patterns are for loom or square stitch and applique only.The book does not do justice to the rich heritage of Native American art and the great diversity in their use of beadwork.

good pattern sampler
I have been beading on garments and needed more patterns. This book had several actual beading patterns as well as many applique patterns. It was a nice companion book to my native american beading pattern library.

Good book for beaders.
This book has a lot of information for the traditional beader.Hope to use it took make regalia.The transaction was easy and the shipper was very fast.

Native Beading
Very nice. Displays full size patterns for beading. It had designs that
I wasn't familiar with. Good Find for beginner to immediate beaders. ... Read more

Product Description
This concise volume documents a fascinating and unique art form—Native American beadwork. Including examples of handiwork from Eastern woodlands and Plains Indians, the author offers a clear, illuminating discussion of the origins, execution and symbolism of Indian beadwork used to ornament belts, garters, pouches, and much more. Over 300figures depict techniques, equipment and a host of authentic patterns.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Historical beading under $5
I can only add to the other reviewers statement about seeing items and patterns before there was "authentic indian crafts as sold on Ebay".

There is a wonderful section (several pages) that go over the beading patterns and what they represent when woven onto an item (by Nation) such as buffalo, wolves, rabbit tracks ect. I found that the best part of the book.

Craft history buffs will love the information on historical beading and bead trade snippets.

For the price you can't go wrong with this one.

at this price, of course its five stars
originally published in 1919, this is a good, if very brief, basic reference. its age is a plus--the illustrations are of items that had, on the whole, not yet been influenced by tourist trade.

there's a very short section on quillwork technique; a wonderful old photo of traditionally dressed blackfoot women, unfortunately without a date; and a section that isolates the components of beadwork designs, a benefit for those creating their own work.

most of the few illustrations are from nations usually underrepresented--including assiniboin and arapaho.

all in all, a worthwhile supplement to other, more comprehensive books. ... Read more

Product Description
This informative and easy to read book was written by noted author and editor Monte Smith and contains complete instructions on every facet of doing beadwork.Included is information on selecting and buying beads; materials used (and how to use them); an examination of Indian beadwork designs, their development, significance and uses, with specialemphasis on tribal differences; step-by-step instructions on how to make your own beadwork loom, doing loom work and the variations of loom work; appliqu stitches including the lazy stitch, "crow" stitch, running stitch, spot stitch and return stitch; bead wrapping and peyote stitch; how to make rosettes; making beaded necklaces; and, a special section on beadwork edging.

The book features examples and photos of beadwork from 1835 to the present time from twenty-three tribes. Photos include beaded articles from the Apache, Arapaho, Assiniboine, Bannock, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Chippewa-Cree, Commanche, Cree, Crow, Flathead, Gros Ventre, Huron, Kiowa, Mohawk, Navajo, Ojibiwa, Omaha, Otto, Piaute, Pottawatomi, Sac & Fox, Shoshone, Sioux, Umatilla, Ute, Winnebago and Yakima tribes.There is also a section of notes, a selected bibliography and an index.

A time tested best seller.Anyone interested in the craft work of the North American Indian will profit from owning this book.

200 illustrations; 167 photographs; 4 pages in full color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Depends on what your looking for.
I just got this book the other night, so I haven't had the chance to thoroughly read it yet. So far, I think the text part is better than the photography. I find it easy to read and it seems to touch on several topics. Unfortunately, not being well versed in Native American/Indian history, I don't know how accurate that information is, so I'm no help in analyzing that part of the book. He seems to me to do a good job describing techinques, and the illustrations are helpful to me. If you're looking for good photos though, I would not recommend this book.

A Book for Beginners
Monte Smith has produced an excellent book for anyone wishing to beginauthentic beadwork.He provides complete information regarding thematerials and supplies needed.There is a lot of information about thetechnical aspects of this craft.The book has excellent illustrationson how to make the various stitches with beads on leather, which interestedme the most.He has also included numerous photos of original artifactsthat a person can use for design ideas.There is also a coded (by letters)reference under the photos which indicates the museums that have thoseitems on display.The only improvement this basic book could havewould be color photos which would be of help in selecting beads for aproject. ... Read more

Product Description
Seventeen projects ranging from flowers and leaves for embellishment to beautifully executed bracelets and necklaces are presented with copious illustrations to ensure success for beadworkers of all levels of experience. Included is an extensive history of netted beadwork with examples from vastly diverse cultures and places including India, America, Europe, the Ukraine, South Africa, Malaysia, and Egypt. Detailed historic photographs accompany the intriguing text, and a gallery of netted beadwork from nationally known artisans provides inspiration for individual expression. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

good buy
this book was cool, a good use of some beads i had collected and had close to no idea how i was going to use. i have yet to tackle one as a project but this book gives me hope!

Good primer for netting
I've been a fan of Diane Fitzgerald's almost since I started beading, and so it came as no surprise that this book was really fantastic, inspiring, and gorgeous. What did surprise me was how inspiring it was. It starts with a lovely gallery and history of netted beadwork around the world. From China to Egypt with beautiful pictures and text to explain a bit about the pictures.
From there it goes into a project section with well written, and beautiful projects. It never fails to amaze me what all can be done in netting, and this book has such wonderful examples and instructions. It explains the different forms netting can take, and shows very well the possibilities within this fast working technique. There are projects to inspire anyone, and the diagrams are clear and easy to understand, it's a great book for beginners just learning how to bead, and an inspiring book for more advanced beaders who want to learn a few more techniques to add to the repertoire. The great thing about netting for new beaders is that it's fairly simple to learn, for more advanced reader, the great thing is the nearly instant gratification of a netted project.
I think what inspires me the most is the very loose, very organic looking random netting,it's a lot like freeform peyote in the manner it's constructed.It's shown in a few different ways so you can really get an idea of how you can use it in your own designs to create something completely new.
I'm so impressed with this book, it's definately in my personal top 5 books list.

Netted Beadwork
I ordered the book and it will be great for new beader's. It's worth buying. It shows you how to net the rows and then use your own iders.

Maybe Nets Aren't My Thing
The book is fine, I just get frustrated when I have difficulty with the techniques.

Good Directions - Limited Projects
Very detailed directions for all sorts of netting; if you can't learn from this book, you won't learn at all. However, there are only a few specific projects included so you need to be able to take the basics from this book and use your own imagination and creativity to actually produce jewelry, home decor objects and the like. The photos of netted objects from all cultures are facinating; there is even a netted window valance! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Accurate and thorough.
I sell beads and beading books at my store, Blue Hawk Beads in Pendleton, Or.This is hands down my favorite Native American Style beadwork book.It is authentic and accurate.One of the few books to show Peyote Stitch that includes helpful sketches and complete instructions.

great reference book
This book is being used as a textbook for a beading class I am taking and the instructor swears by it and she is an extremely talented beader who does beautiful work and knows her materials. Her and I and the rest of our class are all Native American and really appreciate the book and are able to learn a lot from it.

Native American Beadwork
I enjoyed this book, it is very well illustrated-almost every page spread has at least one, and sometimes 2 or more pictures or diagrams of techniques. All the photos are black and white, but they are well lite, and you can see the detail clearly. There are quite a few photos of old Native American Beadwork. The drawings are very clear and easy to see/read. The text is well written and easy to read, with nice paper quality. Info is mostly geared toward a beginning bead artist, but also contains many historical facts and descriptions.

Native American Beadwork
I receiced the book on Native American Beadwork promply and am happy with the order. Bill

Path to Finding Technical Perfection...
and that ain't an easy pathway to find, believe me.I love Barth's insistance on using only the most traditional methods, when there are multiple techniques that could be covered.His instructions are so clearly illustrated and explained that I've actually gotten a grip on a method that I have failed to understand for years and am presently using to cover a walking stick with - traditional style gourd stitch.Most books simply teach the two step method and don't even mention the older, three step method and when they do, their instructions tend to be so confusing that I end up with a stick wrapped in a tangled net of tiny beads and thread. But thanks to Barth, I finally get it!

The other methods he covers, lane stitch, loomwork, diagonal weaving and others, he covers with equal clarity and skill and I'm looking forward to using this book to upgrade my abilities and make my art jewelry better than ever! ... Read more

Product Description
Written by renowned jewelry designer Valerie Hector, this book introduces readers to the quality, diversity, and artistry of beadwork from around the world, from ancient to modern. Rather than providing instructions for simply copying designs, this book teaches beaders to translate one or more of a piece's characteristics—color, design, technique, and dimensionality—into innovative contemporary jewelry designs. This book guides readers through 24 exquisite projects—necklaces, earrings, pendants, pins, bracelets, hair ornaments, and bags—inspired by museum-quality beadworks from cultures in four geographic regions: Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Good Beading History
I was a little disappointed because I thought the book would have gobs of patterns for the beaded beads on the cover. Not so. However, it's a wonderful beadwork history book or reference bead book to see how beading has transpired through the ages.

Stunning and Inspiring
My favorite picture in this book is the young Nelson Mandela wearing his Xhosa netted collar. The historical references and pictures are very well researched and presented. My only complaint is that the projects are (of necessity) simplified, updated versions of the works from which there were inspired. However, the opportunity is there for the student to expand upon those projects. There is certainly enough material to inspire and to lead.

misleading
With this artist's name on the cover I was expecting really great and creative projects, like the ones this talented bead artist is known for. Her work is both technically and visually beautiful. I do agree with the other reviews, that the book is filled with great historical information on beading but even the beads on both the front and back covers are not even included in the book, I think that is a little misleading.
I was expecting this book to be filled with Ms. Hector's designs not other bead artists projects.
If you want a great history lesson on beading, this is the book for you but if you want Valerie Hector's designs, you will be dissapointed.

Beadweaver's textbook! Has polygon stitch!
Tons of great beading techniques & some history lessons to go with. No need for me to repeat in 2008 what others have been writing since 2005! :)

I do want to point out this book is unique in my collection because it's the only one I know of to cover polygon stitch. Not only is it covered, the instructions are easy and there is a FANTASTIC chart to go with it so you can resize it, change your bead counts/rows and weave this hollow tubular rope in any number of ways. I'd like to hug the author for publishing that chart alone! :)

The Art of Beadwork
This is a truly beautifully organized and presented book.It appeals to a wide audience, not only those who plan to create the beaded jewelry from the detailed instructions given.It is excellent from a historical basis, and those who just want to look at the lavish photos will be richly rewarded! ... Read more

Product Description
"I can think of no recent book about traditional crafts which has delighted me more than Joel Monture's Complete Guide to Traditional Native American Beadwork. All too often, books of this nature are either as boring as a repair manual, or obscure and inaccurate. Monture's triumph is that his book is not only the best and most complete book about virtually every aspect of Native American beadwork tools, materials, styles and methods, it is also clear, interesting reading. "Written from the point of view of a Native master craftsman who is also a gifted teacher, and accompanied by striking full-color photos, it can serve as either a beginning point or a lifelong reference tool. I am confident that Monture's book will bring him wide praise, not only from beadworkers, but also from any person who delights in knowing more about the meaning and the history of an indigenous artform which is finally attracting the sort of critical attention and informed appreciation it deserves." —Joseph Bruchac, author of Keepers of the Earth Includes all the basic stitches and designs Contains a special section on natural tanning methods Extensive glossary Full-color photos of authentic Native American beadwork ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Native American Beadwork & more!
This is a great book for those looking for authentic beadwork styles. The author covers a broad range of styles. He also discusses different backgrounds and even provides instruction for hide tanning.

Preserving tribal styles and techniques
The author, Joel Monture, is a professor of traditional arts at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.His thorough textbook documents not only native American beadwork techniques, but the tedious methods of leather preparation that are necessary prior to beading.

A San Antonio local artisan, Ken Yanez, is familiar with this process of scraping, lacing and brain-tanning leather.Ken befriended a native American while in the Marines and accompanied him home to the reservation during military leaves.There, an elder showed Ken some magnificent, old beadwork.Ken was surprised to learn that the tribal youth showed little interest, including his friend.Although Ken doesn't have sufficient native American ancestry to qualify for tribal membership, he made a personal commitment to learn these techniques.Ken's projects are authentically produced but cannot be labeled as "Indian made."

Why don't tribal youth show more interest in native American craft?Preparation for beading in the native American tradition, such as brain-tanning of hides, is labor intensive, although the results are buttery-soft, making the leather pliable for decorative beading and quilling.Because of the work and time involved, few of today's tribal youth want to perpetuate the craft."Time" has become "money," so if there is interest in doing crafts in the classical tradition, it's to make some money.Ken will attest to the amount of time it took to make a cradle board for his son.He certainly couldn't sell it for a price to equal the months that he put into the project.

To offset the lack of interest in fine craft, author Joel Monture has captured the steps needed to recreate the obvious beauty inherent in native American beadwork.The book features 43 color plates of beadwork, including the styles of many North American tribes.

In one respect, Joel is preserving an anthropological record of the personal ornamentation used by various tribes by showing us the differences and similarities of style. To lose these tribal identifiers results in cultural homogeny and a disconnect with our human history.Joel's sense of history has led him to capture these artistic techniques before they are lost.

It's worth looking at.
I just got this book along with two others the other night. Haven't had the chance yet to read it completely yet. Having scanned it a bit though, I would say the section with color photos is good, particularly if you're a crafter looking for patterns. The text I've read up to this point is good and worth reading. I've had a little bit of a hard time with some of the diagarms though, particularly some of the ones dealing with hides and hide tanning. Not that I'm looking to tan hides right now, but I thought it would still be interesting to understand the process. Several of the stitch diagrams are easier to follow though. There are black and white photos as well in this book. Most came out fine, but I think a there are a few that must have had poor lighting.

beautiful book
i love indian art, traditional and contemporary. i have a small collection of northwest and inuit art.i have studied the histories of several nations.but i am not an indian.no matter how much study i may devote to indian arts and history, i will never be an indian, i will never have the intimate knowledge that comes from growing up in a culture. i would never presume to tell any member of any indian nation that his or her work was not 'traditional.'

and what, exactly, is tradtional?louise keyser, a washoe who died in 1925, created a new form of basket in the 1890s that was based on her tradition and her knowledge of other nations' traditions.this is what artists do--take what they know, build on it, and create new forms.after all, indians happily absorbed european beads into their 'traditions.'

i design my own knits, embroideries and beadwork.this book offers stunning photos and a good section on traditional color use which together give me a good starting point for my own creations and which is why i rate this book at five stars.

note on nomenclature:the indians i have known were not concerned about indian/native american.i object to native american since the indians migrated (IMmigrated) here just as everyone else has, albeit a few thousand years earlier.if i have offended any indian/native american by this use, i apologize. if a european doesn't like it, well....

Native Beadwork from a Native perspective
How interesting that the beadwork book chosen as more "authentic" by some here was written by a European from Germany! Mr. Monture is Six Nations (Mohawk, I believe) from New York State, & has taught Native Arts at the American Indian Arts Institute (a college *for* Native artists) for some years.

Again, its more about where you're from.Some could say it is 'romantized', as it doesn't go into how much work it actually is to produce hides, that its smelly, you need a lot of guidance & practice, etc.

Different tribes use different techniques, & this book is definitely written from a more northeastern tradition, perhaps difficult to appreciate as it is less known outside these communities. (Plains beadwork is usually what the mainstream usually recognizes as 'authentic'.)

That said, one probably needs a little background to get the most from this book. I do wish there was more discussion on color use and Great Lakes pattern development, but these are also skills which are best honed by doing. I enjoyed this book, which does pack a lot of information into relatively little space. The construction techniques are excellent! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great beginners book for Native Style Beadwork
I have sold this book for years in my store, Blue Hawk Beads in Pendleton, OR.
It is a very good book for beginners who may be overwhelmed by more extensive instructions yet it still contains ideas, patterns, and good pointers for the more experienced.There are numerous looming patterns and others in the back.

American Indian Beadwork
This book is very informative, describing in detail how to do various types of beadwork, primarily loomwork. The color illustrations are beautiful, but the problem is that many of the designs in this book have been used by foreign near-slave-labor workers to produce cheap beadwork that is imported into the United States almost literally by the ton. Therefore a user should be very careful about chosing to use patterns directly from this book without any alterations in color or design.

Really dated source
Published during the 1950s, the author's stereotyped attitudes towards native peoples is all to readily apparent, including the names he gives some of the stitches.Some of the pictures are very painful, taken together with the narrative.

This is NOT a lost art here, people, & there are Native artists producing both traditional & contemporary beadwork that easily rivals the work of our grandparents.

There are much better, more contemporary sources available now.This is ok only as a curiosity from an earlier decade.

Ke Egli
Good Bead paterns alot of pictures of beadwork from 1800's (5 stars) for the detailed information in this book!

A great source for Native American designs.
I have read and used this book many, many times. When I was just starting to bead, this book was a wealth of patterns and colors for me. And that was a long time ago. I believe it was written with children in mind, but if youwant to see Native American beadwork designs, and the traditional colorsthat were used, this is the book. ... Read more

Product Description
“This fantastic starting point for those beginning in the art of beadwork aptly covers the long record of the art form throughout the world.”—BooklistFrench mourning wreaths‚ Ukrainian Easter eggs, Norwegian bodices, Chinese slippers, Pakistani hair tassels, Egyptian belly-dancing outfits, Maasai wedding dresses, Sioux moccasins . . . from Greenland to Bali, beadwork from all over the world is illustrated and its history revealed.

The earliest drawn glass beads were produced from around 200 BC in various locations in India and exported for centuries along the major trade routes to Africa and Asia. From the sixteenth century on, beads made in Europe became highly desirable trade items and spread throughout the world.

This book is organized into five sections, with more than forty topics in all. Each of four main regional sections—Africa; the Americas; Europe; and Asia, Oceania, and the Arabian Gulf—outlines the history of beads in that area before examining production in detail. A fifth section surveys techniques, from brick stitch and herringbone weave to lazy stitch and three-dimensional structures. Includes information on collecting and conserving beadwork and a list of public collections around the world. 550 color illustrations ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Fabulous!
This is a fabulous, beautiful book as are many Rizzoli books.It is not perfect as to attributions etc, so scholars may quibble, but for inspiration and a wonderful overview of international beading with small beads it is terrific!I am going off for my first class in peyote beading this morning and this was a perfect source of ideas and information to get me charged up! It is not, however, a how to book.There is a technical section at the end describing how the various techniques are done but not in anyway sufficient to make any projects. The descriptions are clear but not detailed enough for that. To attempt any of these techniques the reader will need a good teacher and most probably additional books.

A Fabulous Overview
This is a wonderful book.It is beautifully photographed with sumptuous examples of beadwork traditions from around the world.The text covers each tradition rather lightly, but the information the authors do provide is solid.

That said, some of the size and proportion choices for the photographs make no sense.Entire garmets will be tiny, while beaded trinkets will be magnified.The most annoying example is the Bagobo shirt on page 137.This garmet is worked in the unusual shell and bead embroidery found in the Philipines, and the technique is discussed over several paragraphs in the accompanying text.However, the picture is so miniaturized that if you were not reading a book on beadwork, you would have no idea that the design on the shirt is any kind of applied decoration, much less beads and shells.Meanwhile, a photo of an unremarkable (and undiscussed) purse covers half the page.

A huge disappointment is the complete lack of information about where any of these beautiful pieces may be.For those doing bead research or travelling (or both), it would be helpful to know which are in collections that the public can access either through web contact or museum visits.

Neither of these should deter buyers interested in beads or beadwork.This book is a keeper.If there is a second edition, however, I would hope for the addition of information about the collections from which the beadworks come.

breathtaking
i've just re-started beading after a hiatus of about ten years, so i am not familiar with recent beading books and can't compare this to any other overviews that might be out there.

however, in and of itself, this is a beautiful, well-illustrated, far-ranging work.africa is well-represented.north AND south american indian work is represented, including the work of the inuit and northwestern nations.there is a section on greenland beadwork, short, but more than i have found yet.asia, india, oceania, the middle and near east and europe have their sections.the final section is a brief but reasonably adequate, description of techniques.

the photos are breathtaking.and dangerous.i have already mentally designed at least five new projects.the only complaint i have is the lack of dating for some of what are probably 19th century postcards and photos and for what may be relatively recent photos.

i think this would be a worthwhile addition to even extensive beading collections.

Finally! The History of Beadwork in Beautiful Form!
I'll start with a quote from the introduction "our aim is to draw attention to objects decorated with, and constructed from, the tiny glass 'seed' beads" (pg 8 introduction). I will attest to the fact that the authors have succeeded in the most magnificent fashion!

Divided into deceptively simple sounding sections, this book will take you on a trip around the world and through history. The six sections are: Bead Manufacturing Centers; Africa; the Americas; Asia, Oceania, and the Arabian Gulf; Europe; and Construction and Techniques. Then each of these sections is divided into the the various countries and regions covered with the broad section heading. There are photographs everywhere - color, black & white, historical, and studio quality. This is a very visual book for a visual medium.

I've always felt as a beader that I am carrying on a tradition that goes back centuries, this book pays homage to the traditions from around the world. It is an incredible resource that belongs on every beader's shelf for inspiration and rememberance of all that has come before. This book will be to beadwork what "The History of Beads" is to beads and bead collectors.

TWO NOTES:
ONE: The section on Construction and Techniques is not meant to teach you how to do a particular type of beadwork, but to give you an idea of what is involved. There are several excellent teaching books available.
TWO: On page 151, there is a set of beaded sleeves from a dress from Western Europe that are absolutely breath-taking. ... Read more

Product Description
A step-by-step visual guide to off-loom bead weaving

This photo-intensive guide is a comprehensive resource for creating off-loom beadwork, from simple stitches that any beginner can do to more advanced techniques that you can work up to as you build your skills. Every page includes detailed color photos and diagrams that make it easy to follow along. You'll learn how to weave the peyote, ladder, brick, square, right angle weave, and herringbone stitches, as well as make beaded netting and create beaded clasps and other decorative details. Plus, you'll get patterns to make modern, stylish pieces, from necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to napkin rings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Beadwork
Absolutely the best book ever.I am an avid beader and instructor.I highly recommend this book for all beaders. Directions and photos are excellent.

Teach yourself visually. learning off-loom beading techniques
I love the Teach yourself visually series and this does not disappoint. clear photos and instructions.

Awesome Book
Enjoyed this book it is awesome. Great for anyone beginner to advanced.
Some times when you do not do a stitch that often its nice to review how to do it again

A Jewel of a Book
I am new to beading. I first purchased "Seed Bead Stitching, Creative Variations on Traditional Techniques" by Beth Stone Seed Bead Stitching: Creative Variations on Traditional Techniques, which is full of lovely projects and has very clear instructions. I absolutely love her book; but it made me realize that before I tackled the projects on her book (which at the time seemed daunting to me due to my lack of knowledge), I needed some basic instruction on beadwork. I am so thrilled that, after much searching, I purchased "Teach Yourself Visually, Beadwork". This book is very clear; not only does it offer step-by-step instructions on the basics with numerous color photographs and graphs which are very clear, but goes further into finishing techniques and beginner and intermediate projects. I am happy to report that after reading the first three chapters of this book, I just finished one of Beth Stone's projects--and even modified it a little to fit my taste!

I highly recommend this book. I know that I will not only finish reading the book (and practicing the stitches), but I will keep it in my library and will go back to it often for consultation. The book is divided by Chapters, which take you from the basic materials needed for beadwork to beginner and intermediate projects to practice what you learned. I found Chapter 2 particularly helpful and clear and have gone back to it frequently and have successfully applied the instructions. I recommend that you "Look Inside the Book" and check out the table of contents. It will give you an excellent idea of the clarity and scope of what this book has to offer. Great book.

MC

Excellent on the basics
This book is excellent for the beginner and for your library when wanting to learn a new stitch. It also has a lot of tips woven in that I've not seen anywhere else and they are very helpful. Buy the book. ... Read more

Product Description
In-depth guide to ancient Native American crafts focuses on the techniques of the western Sioux. Explanations of techniques involved in quillwork, including dyeing and sewing; beadwork methods; and the development of specific Sioux designs. Amply illustrated with more than 80 photographs and drawings depicting handsome motifs on articles of clothing including vests, shirts, robes, dresses, leggings, and moccasins as well as such items as blankets, saddlebags, and shields.
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Customer Reviews (3)

Any penny is wasted on this one!
Another of those Dover rehashings -- if there were MINUS stars, I'd rate this a million!! There's so much better books and museum/exhibition catalogs on American Indian beadwork, that this title should remain where it belongs: on some dusty dark library shelf.

Many authors have tried in the meantime to dispell Lyford's myth of porcupines NOT living where quillwork was done -- the contrary is true and I've found dead porkies on highways in Montana, right in the heart of Native American quillwork country!

Another ethnocentric myth that was buried long ago (and it should stay there!): "Caucasian rugs" being an alleged source of Sioux beadwork designs. It just ain't so: there are worlds between that "classic" spidery Lakota beading style of the late 1800s and early 1900s and Caucasian rugs. One might find perhaps similar design elements on kelims but these have evolved convergently. Only some ethnocentric arrogance can find a source of artistic ideas in the cheap rugs that the homesteaders and settlers brought with them to the West or mail-ordered from some Sears & Roebuck catalog!

This Lyford book may have become sort a "classic" but only so because for many years nothing else was available on Sioux beadwork.

As to the new title that deceived one buyer: it has become most likely a deliberate policy of Dover Publications to republish copyright-free books under new titles, in one case even using a title that still belongs to another book ("Native American Beadwork" for Orchard's classic "Beads and Beadwork of the American Indians").

there's just one little thing
if you have bought lyford's book, _quill and beadwork of the western sioux_, you already have this book.

yes, its a wonderful resource--i thought so when i bought i under its original title.i thought this book, with the different title, would expand upon the other.

as long as you keep this information in mind, and only buy the book once under either title, you will be rewarded.since it was originally published by the government in 1940, there are no color plates, which is a great shame.however, some of the historic photos are worth the price of the book.

the instructions for both quill and beadwork are very good.there is a section that briefly analyzes design elements, very useful for creating your own designs.

i just wish i had known i already owned it under another title.

A special guide to a very specific art
This guide to quillwork and its counterpart beadwork was originally published in the 1940s for the U.S. Dept. of Indian Affairs, and sees new light today thanks to Dover. Craftspeople of all kinds will find Sioux Quill And Beadwork Designs And Techniques begins with a short history of Sioux art and patterns to quickly move into the specifics of creating and sewing quills and using beadwork techniques adapted for Sioux designs. A special guide to a very specific art. ... Read more

Product Description
Inexpensive do-it-yourself book provides 72 charts for bead weaving, 12 full-size patterns for bead appliqué. All based on authentic designs of Cheyenne, Sioux, Crow, other tribes. Weave belts, headbands, sashes, etc. Decorate handbags, vests, blouses, more. Complete instructions, color keys for every chart and pattern.
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Customer Reviews (3)

north american indian beadwork
this was a gift to a great-niece for Christmas. She is 11 and involved in mountain man crafts with her father.she loves the books and has produced some nice pieces.

Lots of Patterns
This book is loaded with patterns that are easy to follow. All designs represent a variety of American Indian nations as well as floral designs.They range in sizes.Patterns for both bead weaving/loom and applique.Very good source for ideas to use on regalia items or everyday wear.

beadwork patterns
This book has excellant patterns but no colored pics, makes it hard to visualize what you are creating, or like in most cases would like to change. The amount and quality of patterns is wonderful though and outweights the lack of pictures. ... Read more

Product Description
When The Best Little Beading Book first appeared in 1995, it was an immediate hit! Never before had the mysteries of beading been so clearly defined, diagrammed, illustrated, and photographed. Considered the "Bible for Beaders", this is a must-have for both beginners and seasoned professionals. It contains hundreds of projects, useful information, a picture glossary of beads, findings, and everything else a beader might be interested in. Learn to pearl knot, wire bend, Chinese knotting, make earrings, and lots more. There's even a section devoted to healing with stones, chakras, esoteric values of color, shapes and other symbolism; how to start a small business, create a portfolio, start an at-home jewelry business, and much, much more. This book is considered the most complete beadbook of its kind in the market today! A definite necessity for the serious beader! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Its very good
This book has measurement conversions, bead sizes and many other really helpfulinfo regrding beading.How to do different kinds of beading techs. and all sorts of other goodie.

One of the Worst Little Beading Books Out There
To my recollection, beadwork and jewelry crafting were not in vouge and enjoying widespread popularity in the mid-1990's the way they have over the past several years.Good quality books and magazines featuring clear, reliable instructions and relevant projects were hard to come by.More's the pity for the unspecting purchaser, then and now, of "the Best Little Beading Book", by Wendy Simpson Conner.

Published by Interstellar Publishing Company in 1995, amazingly, this book is still in print and widely available.It carries a hefty full list price of $28.95 for an 8.5"x6.75" soft cover book containing what look like crude, hand-drawn pictures and diagrams, some overly dark black and white photos, and almost no color photos or illustrations.

With the wonderful selection of beadwork and jewelry books now available, I can't think of one good reason to buy this book.Harsh, I know, but here's why: the book is very poorly organized, rambling from one topic or project to another, without any thought given to teaching the techniques required to complete a given project, or to a logical progression of skill level.There is no table of contents.Rather, you must go to the index at the back of the book, which is actually a table of contents, not an index.There are typos throughout the text as well as flat-out inaccurate information.The project instructions are not clear and concise.A photograph of each completed project is NOT included, which can make it hard to determine whether a project will be to your liking.

I'm baffled by some of the glowing reviews recieved by this book, and I urge anyone thinking about buying it to look at the dates of the reviews - most are several years old.Perhaps this book was considered a gold standard prior to 2002 or 2003, but it no longer warrants such praise.

There are MANY better choices available that are loaded with high-quality color photos and diagrams and feature reliable, up-to-date information.Check out "The Complete Guide to Beading Techniques", by Jane Davis or, for more of a reference/dictionary style book, "BeadWork Magazine Presents The Beader's Companion", by Judith Durant & Jean Campbell.Other excellent and trustworthy authors include Diane Fitzgerald, Carol Wicox Wells, Marge Deeb and Carol Huber Cypher.

If you're just starting out and looking for a good source of general information and some projects, you can always start with a current copy of Bead & Button magazine, or BeadWork magazine.If you prefer books and are looking for a quality starter, this book isn't it.

The Best Beading Book
This is a wonderful little book. The black and white illustrations may seem simplistic, but they are complete in their information. This book covers everything a person needs to know about beading, from beginner to more advanced techniques. I recommend it highly!

This book is the best!
A wonderful reference--not the fanciest book ever, but it discusses so many techniques with clear details and excellent hand-drawn illustrations.Highly recommended!

Really is THE best. Nothing else comes close!
This book is SO comprehensive I advise all thinking beaders to buy it! Spiral bound for nifty hands-free reading (while you bead), the pictures are better than anything the other bad reviewers can pull out of an area. The instructions are concise. If you are an intelligent lifeform, you will get it. You'd have to be grossely disabled to not get it!

This authors other books are good too because they phocus on bead genres. This book started it all and remains the king of bead books. ... Read more

Product Description
Easy-to-follow diagrams and simple instructions enable even beginners to create a host of striking Native American designs. Color-coded patterns for buffalo, kachinas, eagles and more will add delightful ornamental touches to T-shirts, vests and blouses, lend distinctive touches to handbags, headbands, and belts, and enhance cushion covers, table linens, and other household accessories. An inexpensive do-it-yourself book for successfully completing dozens of beautiful projects for yourself, family and friends.
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Customer Reviews (9)

Not what I wanted
This is not what I expected or what I wanted.It is all black and white and very difficult to work the patterns from.

beautiful, but all loom work
There's an enormous variety of seed bead patterns in this book, but they are all for loom or square stitch, no peyote/comanche stitch or brick stitch.I like the book enough to keep for if/when I ever venture into loomwork, but there's nothing I can use now.

Big Book of Indian Beadwork
Not at all happy with this product. Does not show what it says it does.

big book of indian designs
Big Book of Indian Beadwork Designs (Dover Needlework Series)I have worked a few of the designs and liked them. I found two mistakes on the fourth design on page 5. I guess it wasn't tested before publication. I found this annoying, and will not buy any more books by this author.

Big Book of Indian Beadwork Designs
I haven't gotten into bead weaving yet but the designs have given me a lot of inspiration for other beading projects that I have in mind. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (20)

Zulu Inspired Beadwork
I collect Diane Fitzgerald's publications as they come available and have never been disappointed.Diane's color and design background, combined with her diverse knowledge of Zulu techniques and trips to African villages, culminated in her creating attractive unique jewelry for her book.Her projects reflect both African motifs and contemporary as well. Zulu beadwork history with photographs is right after the introduction.

Some of the projects originate from her earlier book, More Zulu Beadwork, a 1999 publication.They are updated with full color and great illustrations.An example is her Bow Chain necklace which I hardly noticed in her previous book.Now, looking at the full color photograph, I am tempted to set aside my current projects and make that bow chain necklace.

Diane's book contains so many jewelry designs, it will be difficult to decide what to make firstSquare stitch, brick stitch, chevron chains, ladder chains, tri-leg chains, switchback chain, herringbone, netting and other stitch techniques were used to make ruffled bracelets, smooth armbands, diamond collars, earrings, floweret bracelets, netted necklaces, rope chokers, lariats and component necklaces.The component pieces can be combined for a long necklace or a bracelet and short necklace.

The pink square tube necklace on page 54 is very feminine.The triangular tubes can be masculine or feminine, depending on the bead colors used. Bracelets and earrings are quick to make for gifts.Zulu Inspired Beadwork is a good book for beaders with basic beading skills, and advanced beaders wanting to add more jewelry designs to their repertoire.

Zulu Inspired Beadwork
Wonderful book with beautiful patterns, I particularly enjoyed reading about the Zulu people who create these unique designs.

Praise for African Women
Diane has shown how African beaders have been able to create native designs that inspire and show their abilities. Her instructions are clear and give you latitude for incorporating your own adaptations. The book covers many types of projects that you can easily follow.

Nothing New!
I received this book as a gift.I already had Diane's first 2 books on Zulu beadwork and this is a direct copy of those.Other than the fact that this is all in one book and in color, the info is the same.I was disappointed that nowhere was that mentioned.If I did not have the other books then I would rate this one as very good and informative on the Zulu techniques.I have used my other books extensively and didn't miss the color at all.This would be a great book for a beginner, or someone who wants to extend their knowledge about techniques.I gave it 3 stars just because I thought the publisher could have mentioned somewhere that it was a repeat of previously published work.I understand that the original books are out of print so for those beaders who don't already own them then this is a good book to have.

Buenísimo
Este libro ofrece tejidos fáciles y rápidos. Especialmente los cordones quedan muy bien. Las explicaciones son prácticas y las gráficas casi expresan por sí mismas las instrucciones. Tengo apenas un par de semanas con este libro y ya he hecho unos siete u ocho modelos distintos. Este es otro ejemplar que debe tener todo aquel que disfruta de las prendas tejidas. ... Read more

Product Description
The Reprint You Have Been Waiting For!The Eagle's View edition of this classic 1929 reference book has been reformatted for easier reading but the text, plates and illustrations remain as in the 1975 edition (and essentially as presented by the author).This book and Orchard's book on porcupine quill decoration, form the foundation for almost every text on Indian arts and crafts that has been written since their publication and they remain superior to most.

Not only is this book an in-depth study of bead technology, but it considers in greater detail than any similar work the history, use and distribution of North (and South) American beadwork art from prehistoric to relatively modern times.The author pays needed attention to the variety of materials used and the design motifs of finished beadwork, as well as the role of early Europeans, whose colorful trade beads (shown in beautiful color plates) had such a tremendous impact on Indian economics and material culture.Included are discussions, photographs and illustrations of shell, pearl, bone, stone, metal, and trade beads. Wampum is described in great detail and odd forms and materials, which include seed, basketry, wooden, gum, earthenware, dried otter's liver, and native manufacture of glass beads are also described.There is also a very interesting section on drilling holes in beads.

All of the basic techniques of beadwork are explored and illustrated.These include woven beadwork (square weave, bias weave, and net-like weave), sewing techniques and edgings, bead inlays and beaded baskets.There are 16 color plates, 26 black and white plates and 136 figures which include drawings and photographs.The color plates include chevron beads, polychrome trade beads, and outstanding examples of native beadwork from Alaska to Ecuador.Don't miss out on this reprint of a classic Native American reference book that will be invaluable to anyone with an interest in beads, American Indian culture or creating their own beadwork. ... Read more

Product Description
This beautifully illustrated and detailed book tells the story of stunning Kutchin Athabascan beadwork. Among these subarctic Native people, beadwork has been a tradition for over a century. This new edition, with an expanded section of color plates and an updated introduction, follows art historian Kate Duncan and Eunice Carney, a Kutchin elder and beadworker, as they examine beadwork and talk with Kutchin artists in Alaska and the Yukon. ... Read more