This week saw the launch of another great jewelry making book, A Bead in Time, by beading expert Lisa Crone.  This colorful book captures the best of work featured in her blog, A Bead A Day.  The blog showcases different beads and artists each day, and since it's inception has become a lively and friendly community where jewelry artists discuss design and trends. 

For beginners to beading, the book is an easy-to-understand guide to the basics, with clear explanations and directions to get people started.  For more advanced jewelry designers, the themed collections are a great source of inspiration.  In fact, the general concept of taking inspiration from something in your life and turning it into a jewelry collection is a great source of creativity for any designer. In this way, you can design jewelry that is not based solely on materials, but also has a special meaning and purpose.

The beaded designs range from simple to complex, but are always captivating.  The collection of projects introduces a range of beading and jewelry making techniques, which will allow any artist to find styles that suit them, whether it is seed beading, wire wrapping or stringing. 

Another appealing aspect of this book is that Lisa leans towards affordable materials.  While other jewelry instructional manuals can involve the purchase of pricey tools or materials to complete a project, Lisa turns thrift into thrills by incorporating vintage finds and surprising elements into her designs.  This departure from convention will have any reader reassessing how to use found objects in their designs in fun new ways.

Find A Bead in Time at Amazon.com and head over to A Bead A Day for more refreshing beading ideas.