Getting started with seed beads, book review

In the mail today came this book from Interweave called Getting Started with seed beads and it's by Dustin Wedekind.   It’s right up my alley which made me jump right into it.  Let me just tell you, the photography in this book is phenomenal.  The pictures of all the projects that you can, and I will do, made me want to put down the vacuum, shut off the T.V. and start beading.  Not to mention the illustrations are so clear.  I’ve looked at other illustrations over the years, and I think I spent more time trying to decipher them, then actual time spent on the project itself.  This book, however, you can see exactly what the author is referring to and where he is going.

It’s not a huge book.  There is nothing daunting about it.  I honestly think it is just the right size.  Only eleven chapters in it, but still you feel like you’ve gotten your money’s worth, and you do.  I love the way the book starts off by taking a trip to the store.  It shows you what you will find, how to distinguish one bead from the next, and what your going to need to work your way through this book.  It even gives you tips, oh the tips, easy little tip boxes gingerly placed throughout the book.  Not only does Getting started with seed beads  teach you  how to accomplish numerous beading stitches, it gives you projects for each.   Personally, I’ve picked out several  from the easiest being the Ladder Rings to the Radiant Barrette.  I think any beginner would benefit from this book and have no difficulty finishing any of the projects.  The author practically takes you by the hand.  But the great thing about this book, even if you are advanced, it acts as a refresher for what you know, like a kind of reference manual, and gives you several new projects to enjoy.  I know I’m going to spend many evenings working on projects from this book.  My only hope is there is a sequel coming out in the near future.