How to Design Bead & Wire Jewellery by Renata Graham, softback published by Search Press. ISBN 978-1-8448-689-2, price 14.99 available from www.searchpress.com

Beaders are like fabric magpies, they collect, stash and then what? I have beads stashed away that I intended to make something with, but have never got round to doing so. In fact I have never made a finished piece. I’ve looked at numerous beading books and found that they do not give the basic information I need or that they are far too complicated and whilst I am lured by the designs, I cannot even begin to make the necklace or whatever. This book is a wonderful bead primer. It tells you everything you need to know to get seriously started in beading. Materials, equipment and techniques are all fully explained. The projects are fun, varied and include all types of jewellery pieces from necklaces to earrings, rings, bracelets and more. The book is enhanced throughout by the clear instructions and photography. Create stylish pieces to wear or for gifts.

Patterns in Polymer by Julie Picarello, softback published by Klambach. ISBN 978-0-87116-409-4, price 21.95 US dollars available from www.KalmbachBooks.com

This book is like one big workshop on all you need to know about polymer clay including colour, texture and pattern using imprints and mokume gane. Great photos and easy to follow instructions. Create amazing shapes with interesting detail. The author shares her secrets of working with this fantastic medium. This is a medium of exploration, learn the techniques for patterns in this book and do your own thing to create unique beads and more. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Polymer Clay by Angela Mabray & Kim Otterbein, hardback published by CPI. ISBN 978-1-58923-470-3, price 16.99 GBP available from www.creativepub.com

Ever wanted to try your hand at polymer clay jewellery, but did not know where to begin?  This 101 workshop book scores a bulls-eye for making the process very simple. It is subtitled ‘Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily Through Step-by-Step Instruction’ and it fulfils its promise on every point. It does not claim to be for the experienced and it is a basic course as it states.

Its good points are – bonus DVD, spiral-bound, so you can create whilst you read, excellent photography, good layout and simply the best step-by-step instructions I have seen. I love the bangle bracelets and the metal lead reversible bracelet. There is more than enough here to start you off, your own creativity will kick in when you start using this versatile medium. It does include mokume gane and other techniques. On the whole the projects are very good. An excellent polymer primer for beginners.

The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making by Tammy Powley, softback published by Creative Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58923-549-6, price 16.99 GBP available from www.creativepub.com

This is a hefty tome and if its ultimate aim is to present a photo guide, then it succeeds. It presents different jewellery-making techniques. However, for me, the projects are not ones I would wish to make. Having said that, once the techniques are learned, you are your own boss and can design your own projects. There is an interesting tape measure cuff bracelet and the front cover design is attractive. Use this as a jumping board for your own ideas – it’s excellent to learn the techniques with so many photos to guide you.

Take the Next Step by Rona Horn, softback published by Annie’s Attic in the USA. ISBN 978-1-59635-307-7, price 9.95 USD and 6.99 GBP available in the UK from www.searchpress.com

This is a slim volume that features 26 distinctive jewellery designs. All the techniques are explained and full instructions given. Includes some very attractive designs with clear instructions and photography for intermediate level beading. This book will help expand your designs and build on the basics.

Creating Glamorous Jewelry with Swarovski Elements by Jean Campbell, softback published by CPI. ISBN 978-1-58923-541-0, price 24.99 USD, 16.99 GBP available from www.creativepub.com

What a wonderful idea for a book. We all want a little Hollywood glamour in our lives. This book not only shows some of Hollywood’s best-loved stars but it shows you how to make the jewellery they are wearing. Imitate the necklaces, earrings and bracelets worn by Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Grace Kelly and more. Images of the stars are shown in black and white with a short bio of the star. The instructions for the jewellery are detailed with photographs and line drawings. There is also a short history of Swarovski. This is a fabulous book with fabulous jewellery. Make once in a lifetime pieces and be glamorous.

Big Book of Beadwork by Julia S Pretl, softback published by Creative Publishing International. ISBN 978-1-5892-3527-4, price 24.99 USD and 16.99 in the UK available from www.creativepub.com

This is a huge volume full of 32 projects for advanced and intermediate beaders. Not only that but it has the added bonus of a DVD with 20 tutorials, print out pattens and a lot more. Sounds too good to be true – the projects have been previously published in Julia’s other books – so be careful if you already have these.

If you haven’t – then this is a brilliant book -I love the handbags, jewellery and boxes. These designs are distinctive and look very complex to a beginner like me. The instructions are very detailed with good drawings and photographs to support the text. The designs themselves are some of the best beading projects I have seen. There is also a chapter on designing your own patterns, useful for beaders wishing to create their own line of jewellery.

Sometimes a designer gets stuck on ideas and inspiration, enter this type of book. With over 1000 colour photos (albeit not all studio quality) you will surely find something to spark off an idea or two. Encompassing a very broad range of design and designers, the actual quality has suffered somewhat. However, I think there is still plenty here to go for. The opening pages of Bead and Bauble are wonderful. I really like the colour theming. The polymer and precious metal section is probably the best of all. If you are looking for a ‘how to make’ book this is not it as there are no instructions.

The New Encyclopedia of Jewellery Making Techniques by Jinks McGrath, softback published by Search Press. ISBN 978-1-84448-621-2, price 12.99 available from www.searchpress.com

This is a revised and updated edition of the book first published in 1995. This is the only edition I have seen. It includes all the information you need on all aspects of jewellery making. The format is concise, practical and thorough. Suitable for beginners to the experienced, although you might need more detailed information on advanced techniques. It would benefit enormously from a resources guide and more examples of work. It is similar in many respects to another of Jinks Mcgrath’s books published by another company. Excellent if you don’t have any other book by this author.

Metal Clay Magic by Sara Dutton, hardback published by New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-84773-451.8, price 14.99 from www.newhollandpublishers.com

This is a very good basic guide to metal clay. Learn to use metal clay with other media like dichroic glass. Discover techniques to develop your own pieces. Follow the simple projects to build your confidence. Make simple pendents, rings and bracelets. Large step-by-step photos and instructions. Includes suppliers. If you wish to make silver jewellery but don’t want all the hassle of traditional silver making, try this clay.