Beads to Buckskins

Beading with minerals is one of the most exciting forms of Beadwork. You know when you complete your project that there will never be another quiet like it because no two pieces of the same mineral are exactly the same in color or detail. Sometimes making matched earrings using stone cabochons or crystals can be very difficult. Unless you cut and polish the stones yourself it becomes frustrating to search out a match. Their is a solution to this dilemma. When you find a beautiful mineral that will make a lovely center piece for a pin or necklace, match the earrings with stone beads of the same mineral or glass beads in matching colors. I could not match the color of leather on the purse at left so I crocheted with a variegated crochet thread through clear crystal beads using a chain-stitch and added some stone beads and crystals at the base of the handle or neckline fro a perfect match. Improvise when you can't do anything else and you will be surprised at what you can do.

Volume twelve completes this series of beading and related crafts. A very Special THANK YOU goes out to all our readers. Beading with Minerals is the primary feature in this volume. The sixty four color photographs exposing elaborately beaded pieces will capture you heart. A host of beading artists have shared their very best with you. New and old techniques in Chain Beading have been Illustrated a long with tips and exotic looming techniques for special projects. All of the techniques used by the author have been illustrated and instructed in one of the twelve volumes.

The Techniques in this volume can be applied to different needle crafts from cross stitch to crocheting, sewing appliquéd or tambour beading. There is something for every skill level, including yours. Plus there is a great selection of quick and easy projects, some of which you can complete in one setting. You will find step by step illustrated instructions, tips and short cut methods that will save you a lot of time.