The Bead MakerBy Mary Maguire Featuring 30 "recipes" for crafting beautiful beads of all shapes, sizes and styles, this unique guide teaches crafters literally everything they need to know to create their own original handmade bead jewelry. The initial section covers basic materials, including easy-to-use self-hardening clay, polymer clay, paper, felt and foil, as well as techniques for embellishing polystyrene and wooden formers. The second section applies these techniques to specific projects that guarantee success through step-by-step illustrations and complete instructions. A final section shows readers how to put their beads together to create a range of elegant and fun jewelry pieces, including bracelets, barrettes, earrings, pins and more. Projects include: -Painted, embossed and inscribed beads -Millefiori flower and animal beads -Marbled felt and patterned felt beads -Embellished ready-made beads -Encrusted beads and natural beads Mary Maguire is an artist specializing in fine art and textiles. She continues to develop and exhibit her own work and is also the author of several craft books, including Wonderful Wire and Magic Lanterns. She lives in Buckfastleigh, England.