Beaded Colorways by Beverly Ash Gilbert, published by North Light Books is a book that covers color theory in exhaustive detail.
It's a book mostly meant for seed beaders, and starts with a nicely written section on color theory, how to create bead soup mixes for freeform pieces explaining quite well how to use colors and values to creates gorgeous color blends and combinations for freeform peyote stitched and netting projects. In the back of the book are a pair of color wheels and overlays for them so you can create your own harmonious color blends. I was really impressed with the section on color because it goes beyond just explain how to create triads, tetrads and complementary schemes but also how to tone them with different values of bead colors to create combinations that work really well with each other.
After that is basic information on how to do simple beading techniques to create freeform pieces, how to create a cabochon clasp by sewing a hook and eye clasp to the back of a beaded cabochon, and how to use a snap for a clasp.
Then the projects. If you've wanted to try freeform and been insecure about giving up the control of a graphed pattern, this book is perfect for that. First you learn how to create the color mix, then the projects are just gorgeous and inspiring without being bead by bead instructions. You can start with a simple bead only Rippled Netting Bracelet for something fast to get you comfortable with working without a set pattern, and work up the incredibly gorgeous Wanderlust Neckpiece which is a lovely example of freeform beadwork including larger cabochons and lots of bead sizes and types. The author explains shaping freeform very well for that project.
The last projects in the book are my favorites though, a mix of metal and bead pendants that are well explained and different than anything I've seen before. They would work up fairly quickly and they are very wearable. To see an example of the technique I'm describing, look at In The Forest here. The projects in the book aren't that necklace, but it's the same technique and it's a wonderful effect.
You can get Beaded Colorways from your local beadstore, from MyCraftivity.com or below from Amazon.com



North Light Books provided this review copy of Beaded Colorways to me free of charge.
To learn more about BellaOnline's review policy, please check our review policy.