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Today is an exciting day – Bead Simple is here! My dear friend Susan has created one beautiful and useful book.
I’ve always loved Susan’s jewelry, because it keeps things uncluttered and shows off beautiful beads. I haven’t bought many jewelry-making books, because so often they seem to fall into one of two camps: the sort of highly-complex, highly-designed stuff, or the more youth-market bling. I love that Bead Simple is something unique unto itself.
It’s also comprehensive. There are chapters on earrings, bracelets, pendants, brooches and barettes, necklaces, and embellishments. And isn’t the photography gorgeous?
I like that the projects cover a range of skill levels, from very simple things like this pretty necklace to more complicated techniques. There’s also an excellent illustrated “Getting Started” section which covers basics like handling jump rings and wrapping a wire loop.
. . . And yes, Virginia, there are excellent button projects!
Susan invited 39 guest designers to contribute to Bead Simple, of which I was honored to be one. But before I show you what I made, this is my favorite: a brooch by Cathy, inspired by Enid Collins handbags. LOVE this thing.
I contributed this pendant. My first-ever book project! Cool!
Check out Susan’s Bead Simple website for more details, and to see where Susan will be holding fun book events.
CONGRATULATIONS, Susan! It’s absolutely wonderful.
Thanks, Diane! I’m so excited about it–thank you for your awesome post and photo sneak peeks :) Love your pendant especially.
Thanks, Diane! I’m so excited about it–thank you for your awesome post and photo sneak peeks :) Love your pendant especially.
Bead Simple looks awesome! I love your project. It’s like a cross between tiny green Spring blooms and a sparkley snowflake. It’s wonderful!
Bead Simple looks awesome! I love your project. It’s like a cross between tiny green Spring blooms and a sparkley snowflake. It’s wonderful!
Tell Susan congratulations – making a book is huge. And congrats to you too, YOUR pendant would be my favorite, it’s just sooo cute. I like wire projects as you’ve seen on my bead post! Oh and the button necklass is awesome too. I want one like that for sure!
Tell Susan congratulations – making a book is huge. And congrats to you too, YOUR pendant would be my favorite, it’s just sooo cute. I like wire projects as you’ve seen on my bead post! Oh and the button necklass is awesome too. I want one like that for sure!
Well, I think I’m going to have to get this baby, because I love the simple beauty of the pictures you’ve shown. I always have trouble with jump rings, too. All closures and connections are a huge challenge for me!
Congrats to Susan and to you; your pendant is really cool. It has a natural feel to it.
Well, I think I’m going to have to get this baby, because I love the simple beauty of the pictures you’ve shown. I always have trouble with jump rings, too. All closures and connections are a huge challenge for me!
Congrats to Susan and to you; your pendant is really cool. It has a natural feel to it.
Hey, people who are interested in this book should go over to Amazon (even though I buy from Barnes and Noble instead, Amazon has a better search engine for when I’m researching) and click on the feature ‘Search Inside This Book’ which is hypertexted just under the photo of the book. It allows you to see pages of books and get an idea of the scope of the book. And if you then select ‘Surprise Me!’ it will run through lots of pages! I love the vintage button necklace, and the photos are great.
Good work, Susan!
Hey, people who are interested in this book should go over to Amazon (even though I buy from Barnes and Noble instead, Amazon has a better search engine for when I’m researching) and click on the feature ‘Search Inside This Book’ which is hypertexted just under the photo of the book. It allows you to see pages of books and get an idea of the scope of the book. And if you then select ‘Surprise Me!’ it will run through lots of pages! I love the vintage button necklace, and the photos are great.
Good work, Susan!
Oooh, I’m totally digging the necklace in the third photo down, it’s tres me! I’m not really a jewelry maker, but this book has definitely piqued my interest – it’s on my wishlist!
Oooh, I’m totally digging the necklace in the third photo down, it’s tres me! I’m not really a jewelry maker, but this book has definitely piqued my interest – it’s on my wishlist!
ah, yes, i see many gift-giving possibilities here. congrats to you both!
ah, yes, i see many gift-giving possibilities here. congrats to you both!
High fives, Sister! Congrats on the book project! Wow, I met Susan B at the Craftstylish opening at CHA in Cali and I got to peek inside this book. It’s a super cool and stylish…..and thick if I remember right. Lots of great ideas like your pendant!
High fives, Sister! Congrats on the book project! Wow, I met Susan B at the Craftstylish opening at CHA in Cali and I got to peek inside this book. It’s a super cool and stylish…..and thick if I remember right. Lots of great ideas like your pendant!
Oh congratulations to both of you! How exciting! I love your pendant! Like a spring snowflake.
Oh congratulations to both of you! How exciting! I love your pendant! Like a spring snowflake.
Diane, your pendant is gorgeous!! Unfortunately after taking a beginning jewelry making class, I am now sliding down that slippery slope of finding a whole new hobby that I have no time nor financial resources for but will no doubt forge ahead with! You are not helping me ;) The book looks wonderful and will be in my possession forthwith!
Diane, your pendant is gorgeous!! Unfortunately after taking a beginning jewelry making class, I am now sliding down that slippery slope of finding a whole new hobby that I have no time nor financial resources for but will no doubt forge ahead with! You are not helping me ;) The book looks wonderful and will be in my possession forthwith!
Hey Diane loved your piece in the book. I too loved Cathy of Californias Enid brooch!
Hey Diane loved your piece in the book. I too loved Cathy of Californias Enid brooch!