Netted Beadwork
By Diane Fitzgerald

     Thanks to Search Press, the excellent series of craft books published in the US by Interweave Press is now available to UK crafters. This attractive primer shows you how to make jewelry and decorated vessels using small beads and the traditional beading technique known as netting. Apart from the beads (and most shops that sell beads will have at least a few packets of rocailles) you don't need much equipment to get started. Beading needles, the right type of thread, pliers, scissors and somewhere to keep your work will do and you can start immediately.

     The staged diagrams are large enough to see without difficulty and easier to follow than photographs, due to there not being any extraneous detail. There are some attractive pieces here that can be made as shown or adapted once you know the technique.

     I do not feel however that this is a particularly suitable book for beginners as it does assume some prior knowledge, and some of the techniques do not have projects to go with them. Each technique has some beautiful gallery photographs by experts showing what can be done if you are skilled enough to take the instructions and go a few steps further, so it is best to work through the basics first and then have a go at a little designing.

     There are some lovely things in here to make, from beaded beads to holiday decorations, some stunning necklaces to the ubiquitous amulet purses and a delightfully simple project to make a necklace out of odd beads. There is also an introduction showing netted beadwork through the ages and around the world which puts the technique into context.

     I've seen lots of beadwork books, but this is one of the few that goes into netting in any detail and the results are lovely. One to spend quite a bit of time with while you master the techniques as there is a lot to learn, but anybody who enjoys this type of work is sure to enjoy doing this and have some attractive items to show for their effort.

     One bonus about Search Press books is that you can write them for a list of stock lists (although these are generally in the UK) or visit their website at www.searchpress.com.