The Impatient Beader by Margot Potter (2005, Paperback)

If you are looking for a basic introduction into beading, this is a great book to start with. When I sold vintage bead necklaces, I wanted my customers to be able to wear them immediately with coordinating earrings. I would try my best to match up the item with earrings from inventory but soon ran into a couple that I could not match. So the next thing I could think of was to make a pair myself. I loved playing with colors and different styles and decided I wanted to try my hand at creating.

I wasn't sure what items I would need. I starting looking at ebay for jewelry making supplies. When I noticed items for beading...bead trays, head pins, and other supplies and not knowing quite what they were for, I decided to research the topic and came across this title at the local library. I enjoyed it so much, I decided to buy a copy.

I was looking for the basics. When you want to pursue a field of interest, you need the basics like common terminology with pictures, description of beads, and some simple starter techniques. The book has all that in a fun, information-filled format.

The book is not just for the beginner, but has designs for the novice to the more advanced. Each page is full of helpful hints and the reminder that patience is required. Techniques take practice, the more you do, the better you will become. It also hints that about having a flexible attitude since you may want to redo your work...change beads, change style, change colors, trying to find just the right look for your project. It is a creative process and is not meant to be rushed.