Books on Glass Beads

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Beads in History


• Glass Beads from Early Medieval Ireland (2015) by Mags Mannion. Classifying, dating and understanding the social significance of early Irish Glass beads.
Mannion. Classifying, dating and understanding the social significance of early Irish Glass beads.
• Middle Eastern and Venetian Glass Beads: 8th to 20th Centuries (Sept 2008) by Augusto Panini. Understanding the technical, historical and symbolic features of beads in relation to ancient commercial exchange and cultures.
• Glass Beads in Ancient India (Dec 2004) by Alok Kumar Kanungo. Combining archaeological and ethnographic data with literary evidence, to describe the history of the glass bead industry in India.
• A Bead Timeline: Prehistory to 1200 CE (August 2003) by James W. Lankton. Based on work at the Bead Museum in Washington DC, covers all kinds of beads not just glass, and their importance in technology, social stratification, political organization, religion, ritual, writing and commerce.
• Asia's Maritime Bead Trade: 300 B.C. to the PResent (Jan 2002) by Jr. Peter Francis. Describes the bead trade that once stretched from the Middle East to East Asia and affected areas as far apart as West Africa and the American Pacific coast.
• The Glass Beads of Anglo-Saxon England c.AD 400-700 (May 1999) by Margaret Guido edited by Martin Welch. Based on Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries, this book classifies Anglo-Saxon glass beads from several sites in the UK.

Making Glass Beads


• Glass Bead Inspirations: Ideas and Techniques for Lampworkers ( 2012) by Louise Mehaffey. A book for intermediate glass bead-makers.
• Creating Glass Beads: A New Workshop to Expand Your Beginner Skills ( 2011) by Jeri Warhaftig. If you'd like to try lampworking or if you want to improve your skills, you should find this book very useful.
• Glass Beads: Tips, Tools, & Techniques for Learning the Craft ( 2011) by Louise Mehaffy. Basic skills for making a variety of shapes and sizes, taught by an expert.
• The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking ( 2010) by Kimberley Adams. A popular book which has been described by a reviewer as "the complete book for a beginner".
• Glass Bead Workshop: Building Skills, Exploring Techniques, Finding Inspiration (May 2008) by Jeri L. Warhaftig. 144 full colour pages showing advanced techniques using step-by-step photos, thorough explanation, and very creative projects.
• Masters: Glass Beads: Major Works by Leading Artists ( 2008) by Lark Books. Inspirational for beginners to intermediate lampworkers, and for collectors.
• More than you ever wanted to know about glass beadmaking (2003) by James Kervin. From setting up your own studio to all methods of glass beadmaking including decorating and finishing the surface.
• 1000 Glass Beads: Innovation & Imagination in Contemporary Glass Beadmaking ( 2004) by Lark Books. 1000 glass beads described and discussed.
• Beads of Glass (2003) by Cindy Jenkins. A popular book covering a range of glass bead artists and their work and comprehensive information about how their beads are made. Has been described as "the best of the best".
• Flameworking: Creating Glass Beads, Sculptures & Functional Objects by Elizabeth Mears ( 2003). Well illustrated instructions from a top teacher.
• Making Glass Beads (1997) by Cindy Jenkins. 112 pages of advice on making a wide range of bead designs. An old book but still popular.

Making Jewelry with Glass Beads

BEAD JEWELRY MADE EASY : The Ultimate Step by Step Guide for Making Beaded Jewelry (2021) by Ella Donald. Excellent tips and techniques on how to make amazing beaded earrings, necklaces, rings, bangles, hair band and bracelets. Beautiful Beaded Jewelry for Beginners:(2018) by Cheryl Owen. 25 Rings, Bracelets, Necklaces, and Other Step-by-Step Projects . Bead Jewelry 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily Through Step-by-Step Instruction (2019) by Karen and Ann Mitchell 350+ Beading Tips, Techniques, and Trade Secrets: Updated Edition - More Tips! More Skills! (2018) by Jean Power Designing and Making Glass Jewellery (2019) by Mirka Janeckova Glass Making Tools And Their Uses: Introduction To Basic Glassblowing Tools And Equipment: How Did They Make Glass In Ancient Times (2021) by Lacy Ingrahm 500 Bead Weaving Patterns for Bracelets (2017) by Emilie Ramon
• Create Jewelry - Glass: Brilliant Designs to Make and Wear (2013) by Marlene Blessing. Also a Kindle e-book, Marlene is an experienced writer and the book covers the subject well.
• Jewelry Designs using Artisan Lampwork Beads (2013) by Tania Tebbit. A kindle e-book, only short but cheap to match. Seems popular.
• The Venetian Glass Bead: 24 Colorful Jewelry Projects (2012) by Kathy Fox. Detailed and beautifully photographed step-by-step instructions for 24 modern jewelry projects/
• Glass Bead Jewelry Projects ( 2011) by Nelli Rees. Helps beadmakers move to the next stage.
• Art Bead Jewelry: Seasons in Glass ( 2009) by Karen Leonardo. Designs for incorporating lampwork beads into jewelry.
• The Beader's Handbook On Lampwork: An Introduction To Working With Art Glass Beads (2009) by Debby Gwaltney.How to choose well made beads and incorporate them into jewelry.
• Making Handmade Lampwork Beads & Glass Jewelry (2008) by Danny and Hava Ronat. What you need to know about making glass beads and how to use them to create vibrant pieces of jewelry.
• A Touch of Glass: Designs for Creating Glass Bead Jewelry (August 2008) by Nancy Alden. A primer on the basics of jewelry making using glass beads.
• Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads (2008) by Stephanie Sersich. 20 projects including necklaces, bracelets, pendants, and brooches using a mix of inexpensive, commercially available beads as well as handmade glass beads.
• Creating Lampwork Beads for Jewelry (2007) by Karen Leonardo. Includes tips for setting up a studio and selecting the tools; instructions for creating lampwork beads; and jewelry designs to incorporate these beads.
• Designs for Beaded Jewellery Using Glass Beads (2006) by Maria di Spirito. 48 designs for jewelry using glass beads. Mixed reviews.
• The Art & Soul of Glass Beads: 14 Bead Artists Share Their Inspiration & Methods (2003) by Susan Ray. 17 Bead Artists Share Their Inspiration & Methods.
• Creative Bead Jewelry: Weaving Looming, Stringing, Wiring and Making Beads (1995) by Carol Taylor. 144 pages written in a highly entertaining style, giving comprehensive advice for novices to experts on these techniques of bead-working.
• The Irresistible Bead: Designing and Creating Exquisite Beadwork Jewelry (1996) by Linda Fry Kenzle. Another popular old book on beadworking.
• The New Beadwork (1992) by Kathlyn Moss. A hardcover book with 112 pages of advice on beadwork and design.