Exotic Beads : 45 Distinctive Beaded Jewelry Designs

Now readers can learn how to make sophisticated, professional-looking jewelry with readily-available materials. Intricate and distinctive designs are presented in beautiful color photographs accompanied by complete, step-by-step instructions. Includes complete materials lists.

Beautifully designed and photographed, Exotic Beads presents 45 projects utilizing beads from around the world. From the Americas come Native American, Pre-Columbian, and Peruvian designs, among others. Europe brings us elegant Edwardian styles, Austrian cut glass, Greek ceramics, and German wood beads. Designs from the Middle East include Afghani lapis lazuli, Egyptian faience, Indian amethyst, and Nepalese silver. The Far East yields Chinese cinnabar and enamel, Soo Chow jade, Indonesian glass, and more. And Africa offers Moroccan clay, Kenyan ceramics, and patterned-glass trading beads. Each project (mostly necklaces, plus some bracelets and earrings) merits a double-page spread, complete with a materials list and full directions. Because many of the beads may be expensive or not widely available, the photographs serve as inspiration so that you can substitute other beads and still achieve similar designs. The introductory section briefly outlines all the basic techniques. Although beginners should be able to handle many of the projects, Exotic Beads is not an introductory book, and some projects require more advanced skills.