Mastering the Art of Beading by Genevieve A. Starbenz is a mammoth new book written to teach the basics of beading to absolute beginners. Nearly 400 pages in fact.
The introduction has information on your supplies. The tools, beads, wires, cords and chains. At the end of the book is a techniques section for common techniques that is over 100 pages of nicely photographed step by step instructions to fundamentals like how to use crimp beads or open a jump ring.
The primary emphasis is on the very basics of beading. All the steps are well photographed and explained in easy to understand language. Most of the projects use wire or stringing techniques to create jewelry. There are a few seed bead projects in the book like the Lots of Luxe bracelet which uses peyote stitch.
One of the things I like best about this book is that it's very accessible for beginners, people who are intimidated by all the tools and techniques of beading but want to try making their own jewelry. They are separated by type of jewelry, so bracelets has it's own chapter, so does hair jewelry like barrettes and headbands. Most of the projects have complete instructions with lots of photographs to show each step in making the piece is done. The few that don't tell you right on the supplies list where to refer to find instructions to specific techniques in the techniques section.
It's an exhaustive primer for beginners, and affordable enough that I'd gift it to friends who I was teaching the basic principles of beading design. It's not one I'd recommend to people who's primary focus is seed bead weaving, but to people who want to learn how to make wearable, fashionable jewelry, this is a good reference and starting point.


You can get this book from your local book or bead store, directly from the publisher, Chronicle Books or by clicking the Amazon link below. (affiliate link)

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