Fresh Ideas Make This One a Keeper
Stringing Style 2 by Jean Campbell
I was excited about receiving an advanced copy of Stringing Style 2 for review, and wasn't disappointed with it when it arrived in the mail! Published by Interweave Press, Stringing Style 2 is 96 pages of full color photos, project ideas, and basic stringing tips and instructions that will help beginners get started, and bring inspiration to experienced bead stringers!
Stringing Style 2 starts out with what I'd call "stringing 101" — bead descriptions, bead size charts, findings glossary, an overview of stringing materials, tools, knotting and more that are perfect if you are just beginning to created beaded jewelry. While it's a great reference section, anyone who's experienced in stringing will skip over this first section.
Next up, there are several pages devoted to simple stringing ideas — no instructions, but great color photographs of bracelets and necklaces. All in all, 48 bracelets and 76 earring samples are provided in the Bracelet Bonanza and Earring Euphoria pages. In a separate chapter (Resources), you'll find where to buy the beads and findings used to make these great pieces.
Finally, on to the projects. Stringing Style 2 claims that there are "50 designs previously published in Stringing magazine, with 12 new designs", but I count 12 bracelets and 46 necklaces in the project list. Doesn't add up, but 58 projects (plus the Bracelet Bonanza and Earring Euphoria ideas) do add up to a lot of great beading!
Even though many of the projects are "advanced" stringing (multiple strands, some alternate materials such as ribbon), the instructions are text only, no step by step illustrations. Each project includes at least one full color photo of the finished piece, and many include more than one example in a different color scheme. As an experienced stringer, I found the text instructions and finished jewelry photos to be more than enough to allow me to make the project. Each project does include a resource list with it that lets the reader know where beads to make the project can be purchased.
Overall, Stringing Style 2 is a terrific stringing project book, with some excellent reference material for beginners. I found that the ideas for the projects were fresh and kept my interest, and renewed my desire to string beads! At $18.95 US ($23.95 Canada), Stringing Style 2 makes a good addition to any beaders library!
