Beadweaving Brilliance 2

Book excerpt: In her follow-up to last fall's well-received Beadweaving Brilliance, Kumiko Mizuno Ito shows crafters how to make more colorful and unique beaded pieces using off-loom techniques. Readers will learn a variety of stitches that will enable them to weave beads into flat fabric or 3-dimensional objects with a single needle and thread. And even though the finished projects may look complicated, each piece is simple enough for a beginner to complete in only one to two hours. The first two sections of Beadweaving Brilliance 2 include detailed, step-by-step directions for making rings, necklaces, bracelets, lariattas, earrings, chokers, brooches, eyeglass chains and straps using the different stitches (peyote, spiral rope, daisy chain, herringbone, brick, right angle, etc.). A third section serves as an Inspiration Gallery, in which vibrant full-color photographs showcase masterpieces by the author and other bead artists. The book concludes with a guide to tools and materials, fundamental techniques and a directory of basic stitches. Enjoyable and satisfying, the projects in Beadweaving Brilliance 2 will let readers express their individuality and create gorgeous beaded ornaments for themselves or for special friends, family and loved ones.