Beading Projects, 18 Beaded Gifts by Jean Campbell
ISBN 1-9131499-02-0,  Softbound, 32 pages, $9.95 US, Interweave Press, 201 East Fourth St, Loveland, Colorado 80537, 800-272-2193, www.interweave.com

I don’t know about you but I’m always looking for ideas for simple quick projects to make up as gifts for the holidays. Weddings sometimes stump me and one of the projects for a bridal doily really caught my eye. I can see it framed later with the invitation on top of it as a daily reminder for the newlyweds.  You can even follow the pattern for the beaded frame (with a few changes) and add it as part of the gift!

While a few of the projects are simplistic, however, they will stimulate the creative juices of even an experienced beader.  If you teach beginning beaders, this is a good book for inspiration to work up lesson plans.  With the price of only $10, your students can afford it as a textbook and still pay a class fee.

I haven’t had time to try the Medieval Knitted Wire Necklace yet but that is next on my list of things I want to learn and try.  I just love the knitting dolly tool and have been looking forward to trying mine out.

Another little gem to add to the library. As always, the photos are superb, the diagrams are clear and the instructions are the best.  Expect nothing less than this from Beadwork Magazine and they continue to deliver!

- Reviewed by Teresa Barrett