The following is a list of books that have been my inspiration, and a few words about them. My personal background is that of a "self taught" beader. I imagine there are a lot of folks who are in the same situation.
In addition to books, look for my page of links, again, great stuff for the beginner!

The other factor I appreciate in a book is aesthetics. No it doesn't have to have beautifully rendered images and text. It should have a few examples that I would even want to try! Nothing is worse than seeing samples of things that don't get me a little bit of the "jones" for making a version for myself!

As this section grows, I encourage other folks to email me and let me know if there are books that I should suggest or add to my own library.

Enjoy!

	This is a self published book that is a cornerstone in any beaders library. I love this book, mainly because it's full of super detail yet you feel like you are peeking through the cabin window or sitting in a class watching the author in action. If you want to loom, this is the book, and if not there is enough great info to keep you happy! Those Bad, Bad Beads by Virginia Blakelock has a title that makes you want to giggle. No pretensions high end book publishing design. Nope! Just tightly packed with great information. When if first came out there were not a lot of books like this one available. Still a classic! If I could meet Ms. Blakelock, I would like to say Thank You for such a super book!!
	The quintessential off-loom beading book. Creative Bead Weaving by Carol Wilcox Wells is perfect if you are starting out as a beader, this lip-smacking, bead-jonesing book will truly assist and inspire you! Additionally, as a reader, the prose does invite and tells some tales. First thing I want to say about this book is that the breadth of beautiful examples by a variety of bead artists is quite classic. I feel that this book is less prone to dating too quickly. Don't get me wrong, all jewelry, fashion and art tends to date a little (I picked up a '70's craft book and could not find a thing to even try to learn on). There is sculpture, some jewelry, few amulet bags (sorry, if you are all about amulet bags, this is not the book) and quite a number of beaded objects. Not too much whimsy, but enough to stir your heart! The actual instructions are drawings, and quite excellent. I am not as adroit at ndebele or peyote, but I was able to teach myself a mean square stitch. Recently I taught myself brick stitch, too. The sections on increasing and decreasing are just as detailed and really allow you to begin to consider three-dimensionality in your work. I would call these instructions a touchstone for bead instruction books. Short of sitting in a class, I can't think of a better book!
	The Handbook of Ornament by Franz Sales Meyer is an old book that may still published by Dover. I found mine used, and typical of this amazing collection of pen and ink renderings of embellishment and design through history, is dear enough to be more expensive than the old cover price! I loan this book and the one following out most carefully! There are pages and pages of design ideas, deconstruction and montages of, for example, greek tile or romanesque architectural detail. The myriad of designs packed into this thick little book will defy your ability to get them all out in the universe. You will find so many delights that you will be glad this one is in your library! When I have more time, I will make a montage of samples and put it up on the web site as well. If this book is not available through Dover, it is sure to be in book stores, there is always someone who does not appreciate it's superlative offerings.
	The Styles of Ornament by Alexander Speltz is another Dover publication that I acquired at a used book store, and it is high on my list of design books. Unlike the Handbook of Ornament, this one is much more figurative. If, for example, you want to understand Etruscan jewelry or baroque furnishings, Mr. Speltz did quite an amazing job rendering the many objects that populate eras ranging from ancient to modern. Not pomo, just modern era. So you won't see 20th century items here. I suspect that these two books are Dover reprints, and thank you Dover! If you design, be it an amulet bag or medieval revival necklace, these books are tantamount to design bibles. I am sure there are many photographic collections which are rather nicer than these two books, but, these are treasures in their own right!
	Exploring Cross Stitch by Audrey Ormrod can not be called a beading book, however, it is a wonderful design book. She takes cross stitch out of the traditional world of samplers and patterned kits and into wildly imaginitive directions. It's super. It translates into beadwork very well. My Mom cross stitches, and she just found it fabo. There is some nice eye opening color, design and technique inspiration. A surprising find that easily crosses the aisle into the "beading" section!

Let's face it, nothing is worse than getting tangled up in someone's web page without a map home. This button will get you back to my beading home page: