Beadwork Creates Jewelry by Jean Campbell

An Excellent Project Book

I was delighted to receive a pre-publication copy of Beadwork Creates Jewelry from Interweave Press. Scheduled for publication in April 2007, Beadwork Creates Jewelry features 127 pages of full color photographs and in-depth instructions, with little filler material.

The 40 projects (previously published in the Beadwork Creates series) are broken down as follows: eleven bracelets, nine necklaces, twelve earrings, nine rings. I was pleased to see so many ideas for rings: most books have one or two if you are lucky!

Techniques used are wirework, bead crochet, stringing and bead stitches: very heavy on the bead stitching projects. Each project includes a comprehensive list of materials (see References chapter for each project’s suppliers), tools and techniques used to create the project.

While the projects are not rated, my opinion is that they range in skill level from beginner to advanced. You will find easy to complete projects as well as those that will challenge your abilities! Two of my favorite projects were the Briolette Earring Jackets and Lucky Scrunchie Ring.

The step-by-step text instructions and accompanying illustrations are detailed and easy to follow, but I would categorize Beadwork Creates Jewelry as a project book, not as a how to book. Some level of previous beading experience is helpful to be able to complete most projects, as the instructions outlined in the Technique chapter are pretty basic and lack the detail a beginner might desire.

Project contributors include editor Jean Campbell (Beadwork) and Jamie Hogsett (Stringing), among many other talented artists. Short biographies of all contributors can be found at the back of the book.

Overall, I was very pleased with the quality of photographs, easy to follow instructions, and variety of projects included in Beadwork Creates Jewelry. The book is a good value and makes an excellent addition to anyone looking for some additional inspiration!

– L. Kvigne