Beads? Check. Style? Check.
It's Just Right
BeadStyle Magazine
I sometimes feel like Goldilocks when looking for beading and jewelry-making reference materials. Since beginning to work with beads five years ago, I've discovered there is a huge array of beading magazines. Some of them have beautiful, complex pieces, with a heavy emphasis on seed bead projects that I'm just not interested in right now. Some of them focus on projects that are so simple and basic that I get bored just looking at the photos.
But I've managed to find one that is just right. And I don't even have to be afraid that I'll be booted out of my favorite spot on the couch when I'm reading it unless it's dinner time and The Boys are growling for food!
BeadStyle magazine is from the publishers of Bead and Button, and keeps it's focus on stringing, with a bit of wire working thrown in for good measure. The projects are not rated for difficulty, but as an experienced beader, I'd rate them at easy to intermediate.
I've subscribed to BeadStyle (published bi-monthly) since its inception in 2004, and I look forward to each issue. Projects are inspiring, and true to the magazine's name, there are tips on style and trends for upcoming seasons. In addition to other sources, I use BeadStyle to keep me abreast of what I should be focusing on in my jewerly making so it's fresh and exciting.
Regular Departments
In addition to the normal Editor's page and Letters to the Editor that are staple to any magazine, you'll find regular features in every issue. Included are a gallery of designer's work (hey, you might even see me in there someday!), a fashion forecast and what's new (there's that "style"), articles on birthstones and healing gems (interesting...did you know that red coral works as a liaison between the spiritual and material selves?), and a great reference section with basic techniques and a glossary that are handy, even for an advanced beader!
Featured Articles
Projects galore! In a single issue, you can find several projects (14 in July 2005 for example) that include great photos of both the finished work and several step-by-step how to's. Also included with each project is a supply list (for easy shopping), and the artist's name and contact information. As I stated earlier, I'd consider most of these projects to be easy, with a few intermediate level thrown in. Use them for inspiration for your own work if you need additional challenge!*
The magazine is well organized, and one nice touch is an additional index on the TOC page which groups projects together by type (necklaces, bracelets, earrings, other) for even easier reference.
Advertisements
The ONE downfall, in my opinion, of BeadStyle is the number of ads. Good Golly Miss Molly, you can't turn a page without being bombarded. Now, I do look at the ads, and I have gone out to a great many web sites, but I have yet to buy anything from any of the hundreds of bead and supply shops, both brick and mortar or virtual.
Bottom line, I LOVE BeadStyle magazine. It's focused on trends, giving me ideas and tips that I can really use. The articles are interesting and I do learn from reading. At an average of 130 pages, $23/year (6 issues), I think it's a good value.
*Copying designs from a book or another artist is fine if you are creating for your own use. It's considered unethical to use another artist's designs and resell, if they are recognizable as that other artist's design. Feel free to be INSPIRED by another artist's work, but don't pass it off as your own.
