This useful primer takes you through the beading process from buying essential tools, types of bead and what they are called, all about findings and threads and then it is on with the techniques. These begin with bead embroidery, and cover knotting, wirework, crochet and knitting, loomwork, offloom stitches and stringing to name some. Absolutely everything to do with beads isn't covered, but then I have never seen any book that does all this; it is simply too huge a topic. There are instructions to work through some quite nice pieces, although nothing to set the beading world alight. This is basically a primer from which to learn the methods, and projects tend to be to illustrate these techniques and learn from doing which is the best way. At the reverse is a list of UK shops and websites for obtaining beads and beading advice which is so useful, and the inevitable gallery of work. Rather misleadingly some of these gallery pieces are shown on the cover. I do wish books only showed pieces the book had instructions for on covers. My verdict? This is an attractive and user-friendly book that most beaders (except for real experts) will welcome, as you truly can learn from it and that is really the most any how-to book can aspire to.

If you cannot find the materials locally try Searchpress.com for a list of suppliers.