Beaded Obsessions III by Cheryl Assemi, Carole Sweet, Cathy Thomsen, and Connie Bell   ISBN 096774763-5, Softcover, 22pgs., full color, $19.95, plus $3.50 S&H, Beadgang Publications, 4721 W. Jennifer Ave., Suite 5, Fresno, CA 93722, www.beadgang.com  

This book has captured my beady heart. Page after page of lovely little bags and then there is the Faerie Bear with a front and back bear shape. Absolutely delightful. I immediately decided to make the bear in size 13/0 and 14/0 beads. I have the beads all picked out and plan to make my own bear as soon as I get the chance. Instructions for the wings and how to add them to the bear are explained along with illustrations. In addition, there is also a Boo Bear with a pumpkin and "Boo" motif included.

The floral bags, Laura’s Roses, Daffodil Dreams and Fall Journey are all both beautiful bags with full color flowers on the bags. There are people figures, the ABC’s, a jester, lots of critters, a tree including branches added as a three dimensional piece and an Easter motif complete with bunny. You can wear Marilyn Monroe, sultry and beautiful or try the masquerade bag fusion of color and patterns. There is a bag with grapes and vines, one with a teapot as the center motif and a sea patterned bag. The teapot is a gorgeous little chunky pot in lovely colors reflecting the past, like a remembrance of past traditions.. There are several patterned bags that reflect geometric and bargello motifs.. The parrot is lovely and Hunter’s Gaze is a lion motif, a must have bag and then a zebra bag follows that is endearing. A snowman, reindeer, a fireplace and hanging socks plus Old Saint Nick are all worked into little bags. Get ready for the holidays next year right now with these patterns.

There is something for everyone here. Every female you know would love to have one of these little bags as a gift. Pharaoh’s Secret is a bag with Egyptian hieroglyphics motifs worked into beading patterns. A group of these motifs are worked onto the bag graph but additional hieroglyphic patterns are included for you to personalize your bag as you choose. Each pattern is identified by the 3 bead rule, one bead is easiest, 2 beads is challenging and 3 beads is the most challenging. There is also a color guide at the front of the book that lists the basic type beads used.

In the middle of the book are complete instructions for techniques in the book. This begins with how to add thread for peyote stitch, basic flat peyote stitch, circular brick stitch, connecting and adding thread, netting, narrowing down the beading for unusual shapes, adding lace (picots), ending threads, adding on for unusual shapes and fringe. Every step is included and yet it is presented in four pages that are very concise and easy to understand. These illustrations are lovely in themselves, using three dimensional bead shapes, clear arrows and lines to reflect the step being completed. You can use these instructions for reference when beading other projects.

It is easy to see the Beadgang spent many hours creating these designs that are easy to bead and yet include intricate designs, many color graduations and dimensional qualities. Order your Beaded Obsessions III today and get ready to have beady fun!