The Bottom Line
Pros
- Comprehensive directions for many off-loom beadweaving stitches
- Comprehensive directions for loom beading
- Clear illustrations showing thread path for each beadweaving stitch
- Spiral bound so that it lies flat when in use
Cons
- Self-published book may make it difficult to locate at your local book shop
- "Typewritten" style may be hard to follow for some
Description
- Spiral-bound book
- Comprehensive information on how to do both loom and off-loom beadweaving
- One of the first books published with instructions for both loom and off-loom beadweaving
Guide Review - Those Bad Bad Beads by Virginia Blakelock
This self-published book is the forerunner of the modern-day beading book. Virginia Blakelock gathered as much information as she could and put it together in one volume for beginning beaders. It still remains as important a book today as it was when it first came out in 1988.
While most of the book is devoted to loom weaving, there are instructions for peyote stitch, right angle weave, Ndebele (herringbone) stitch, netting and African helix (quadruple helix). There are also instructions for making fringe, finishing touches, beading on clothing, and projects like chokers, belts, wristbands, purses and broad collars.
Basic materials and supplies are covered, although some of the supplies she writes about are no longer easily found.
The illustrations in the book are clear and easy to follow, although some readers may be bothered by the “typewritten” look and format of the book. Regardless of format, the information and instructions for doing basic beadwork are timeless and a make a good starting point for someone who is looking to get into beadwork for the first time.
Because this book was self-published, the best place to find a copy is to try your local used bookstore or try Amazon.com. Prices may vary.