Simply Beautiful Beading: 40 Quick and Easy Projects

by Heidi Boyd

Using only the simplest and most effective techniques, Heidi Boyd presents a wide selection of endlessly adaptable step-by-step projects. The items featured are incredibly diverse, from jewellery - rings, necklaces, broaches, chokers - and accessories - key chains, glasses cases, bookmarks, frames, boxes - to home decor - c

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Beading, Jewellery, Reference, Jewellery Making

Paperback

First published August 5, 2004

Reviews

[Grace]

This book explains the basics very well.

My 9 yo daughter and I made the bee bracelet immediately without a hitch last night. Everyone will be getting beaded presents this year!

[Annie]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Simply Beautiful Beading is a tutorial and style guide for simple beaded projects by Heidi Boyd. Released 19th Aug 2004 by Penguin Random House on their North LightsNorth Lights imprint, it's 128 pages and is available in softcover and ebook formats.

This is a nice collection of beginner friendly tutorials with lots of simple beaded jewelry, soft furnishings, and decorative objects. Many of them are simple and unfussy, a few are distinctly odd, but even given that stylistically not everything is going to appeal to every reader, there are lots of good ideas for further experimentation. The instructions and materials are general enough that even if the exact materials are not widely available, some substitutes will be easy to source from any good crafts store or online.

Tutorials include tools and materials in a bullet list sidebar, tips and suggestions, and a step by step guide. Each tutorial is accompanied by multiple color photos which are clear and easy to understand.

Four stars. The designs are mostly really simple, but many (most) are appealing and it would be a good choice for readers who are interested in getting started with beading, or general crafting and don't really know where to start. It would also be a good choice for maker's groups, scouts, home studio, etc.

[Cindy]

Heidi Boyd, hands down, is one of the best beading authors. Let me point out why.

1. There are large pictures of each project. (no need to squint or wonder about colors)

2 You achieve instant gratification creating great looking beaded items for yourself or as gifts.

3. In addition to necklaces, bracelets and earrings there are highly functional projects such as a key chain, eyeglass chain, bookmark, hair accessories and home accents.

4. How does she know exactly what my bead stash looks like? (Some of these items are the perfect things for busting your bead stash)

[Carol]

2004 - trade - 745.5 - Non-Fiction - Kingwood Lib - looked at

[Linda]

Thorough explanation of supplies. Simple and varied projects.

[Leslie]

Kudos to Ms. Boyd! I have been trying to find a beginner's book on beadwork, because I wanted to make a keychain that I can find in the "bottomless bag" I call my purse. Her projects look easy to follow and have inspired me to a new hobby.

[Anne]

Some ideas were pretty fun and original!

[Kim]

Pretty simple, definitely for beginners, but some clever ideas that can be expanded on.