There are lots of beading books available right now! If you are new to beadwork, it may be difficult to decide on a book to use to get yourself started. The books listed here are those that I recommend to new beaders. All of them are valued in my own personal beading book collection.
This book would be my first choice for a new beader. If offers clear instructions for a very wide variety of techniques with beautiful projects. Techniques include tambour, tatting, wirework, crochet, loom weaving, netting, peyote, knitting, brick, ladder, square, right angle weave, and more! Read the Review
This is the first beading book I ever owned. If you are a 'less is more' personality, you may prefer the concise instructions found in this book. You'll find simple, basic tutorials and descriptions of tools and supplies. It's a handy reference and instructional book, not a project/gallery book.
Learn peyote, brick stitch, square stitch, right angle weave, African helix netting, and chevron chain. Make jewelry and beaded vessels and learn how to combine stitches. Lots of inspiring eyecandy is provided throughout the book. This book is similar to The Art & Elegance of Beadweaving (same author), but I think the projects and instructions are better for a beginner beader. Read the Review
Use peyote, chevron chain, spiral rope, crochet rope, Ndebele, and right angle weave to make beaded beads, vessels, and dramatic jewelry. You'll learn the basics and then use variations of the stitches to make the projects. These are very elegant projects, but they require somewhat more supplies than those needed for Creative Beadweaving. Read the Review
If you prefer your beads in a macrame setting, this may be the perfect book for you! Here's an excellent introduction to the knotting of hemp and bead jewelry. You'll find clear written step-by-step instructions, lots of diagrams, and color photographs of each piece. The projects cover necklaces, bracelets, anklets, earrings, keyrings, and more. Read the Review
This is the famed 'White Russian' book. It's called that because it has a white cover and is written in Russian. If you can get your hands on this book, by all means get it! This is my favorite of all the beading books I own. The diagrams are very clear and the gallery is spectacular. It's 350 pages of beading instructions and eye candy. Unless you read Cyrillic, the words won't make a lot of sense to you, but even novice beaders will be able to master the cool techniques described in this book. It's written by Maya Anufrieva and called Art of Bead Weaving or Art of Beaded Weaving, with an ISBN of 5864440663. It's an elusive find, but well worth the hunt!
Beginner Beading Books
