Despite Pretl’s efforts to entice beginners, crafters will need plenty of patience as well as experience in knitting, crocheting and/or beading to get the most from this three-part book. That said, the book is a true treasure trove of projects and patterns. Each part deals with a different bead craft--knitting smalled beaded bags, crafting neckpieces reminiscent of Egyptian jewelry and building ornate bead boxes. Pretl includes both word maps and graph patterns for her 30-some projects, and a DVD, keyed to the first part of the book, clearly shows how basic knitting techniques (both right-handed and left-handed knitting is shown) can be adapted to beading projects. Readers can also download a selction of pdf patterns. Finishing techniqes for each type of project are describes with samples of each completed project shown in glorious full-color photos. This isn't for every collection, but it's a fine choice for libraries where beading books are in high demand. - Booklist. Dec. 15, 2010
Julia S. Pretl’s Big Book of Bead Work: 32 Projects for Adventurous
Beaders. Creative Pub: Quayside. 2010. 320p. illus. index. ISBN
9781589235274. pap. $24.99 with DVD. CRAFTS
Pretl (Beaded Collars) compiles her favorite designs from her recent
books in this weighty guide, which focuses on three types of beadwork
projects using three different techniques: knitted bags, netted
necklaces, and peyote-stitch boxes. Basic directions for each
technique are provided, with support from the lessons on the included
DVD, which shows each technique in action. Some knowledge of beadwork
is assumed; however, advanced beginners could easily attempt the
projects included in this broad collection. - February, 2011