Seed Bead Fusion- 18 Project to Stitch,Wire and String is an impressive new book out by Rachel Nelson-Smith.
This is not a book geared towards beginner beaders. While it does have instructions in basic stitch techniques, you need to have some familiarity with the basics to tackle most of the projects in this book. That said, I really recommend it for advanced beaders who are comfortable and even a little bored with the basics. The projects are intricate and inspiring, the skills learned in them can be applied very well to pieces you design.
A lot of the projects involve building dimensionality using peyote stitch off of right angle weave bases. The wire projects are amazingly intricate pieces that remind me in form and style of fine jewelry. They are flashy, sparkling and just gorgeous. There is a level of complexity to each project that will make them engrossing to most beaders. Stitch techniques used include peyote, ladders, right angle weave, herringbone, and African helix. The wire pieces are a bit easier but most of them have many pieces that need to be made precisely.
Each project is very well diagrammed so you can get a very good idea of how they are built, made up of supplies that are very easily obtainable. After each project are photos that show how each step looks while you are doing it. The photo sections are done with beads that contrast very well so you can see exactly what is going on.
My favorite projects in this book are the Pacific Waves necklace, a gorgeously ruffled African Helix necklace that starts a bit unconventionally with peyote stitch caps to make it easier to build the helix, the Bhangara Fusion Bangle which is just an amazing striking bangle bracelet made of beads and wire that has a wonderful shape and is so encrusted with crystals and seeds it's perfect for dressy occasions and the O. Bersten Component Necklace which is a beaded rivoli component used in this project as a simple pendant on a strung necklace, but the other examples of how to use it include a large sparkling bib necklace and a bracelet.
A lovely book and a great addition to your beading library.
You can get it from Interweave Publishing or by clicking the Amazon.com link below.




Interweave Publications provided this review copy of Seed Bead Fusion to me free of charge.
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