Susan Beal’s new book Bead Simple from Taunton Press features 150 beautiful and stunning jewelry projects from necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more — that are easy to make! The step-by-step techniques for making jewelry is perfect for those of you who are just starting out with jewelry crafts. I also love the big glossy color photos that showcase each project to the fullest. Susan’s fun and stylish projects, along with projects by guest designers such as Diane Gilleland, Nancy Flynn, Tricia Royal, as well as your own Craftzine bloggers Jenny Ryan and myself! Visit the Bead Simple web site to keep up to date with upcoming events, book news, and project tutorials.
Here’s your chance to get a FREE copy of Bead Simple! One lucky random Craftzine reader is going to win this beautiful book. Just leave a comment in this post and tell us why you need this book! Please make sure you include your email address in the comment form field (won’t be published). All comments will be closed by 11am Thursday, April 3rd. The lucky winners will be announced tomorrow evening on the CRAFT blog. Good luck!
Update 4/3: This giveaway is now closed!
Bead Simple Event:
If you’re in the Portland, OR area next Monday April 7th at 7:30pm, Susan Beal will be having a Bead Simple event at Powell’s bookstore. Susan will do a short reading and show a bunch of the 150 jewelry projects from the book, and her Portland guest designers will be there to show off their jewelry, too. Everyone who comes is invited to make a pair of Solo Earrings to bring home as part of a little jewelry 101 demo! Pliers, supplies, and a big stash of vintage beads from her collection (like these sparklers) will be available for you to choose from.
Powell’s
(upstairs in the Basil Hayward Gallery)
1005 W. Burnside St., downtown Portland
(800) 878-7323
powells.com
I contributed this project to the book, the Vintage-Style iPod Cozy. Check back this Friday morning for our CRAFT Pattern Podcast where I’ll be sharing the sewing pattern on how to make this techy heirloom!
237 thoughts on “Bead Simple by Susan Beal – Free Book Giveaway!”
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This book would be a godsend. I love making jewelry and I am not very good at coming up with design ideas. So I need help.
Oh, that looks great! I’m always intimidated by some of the other patterns I see. Please enter me, tabby90@yahoo.com
This book would help me to rediscover my love of beading. I used to do it in junior high but could never come up with nice projects.
Why do I need it? Because I’m 9 months pregnant, show no signs of having this baby anytime soon, and am looking for something else to occupy my time, other than staring out the window, waiting. Plus, it would be fun. :)
I started beading about one year ago and love it! I have sold some items on ebay and to family and friends. I am always looking for new ideas and this book sounds perfect!
I’ve been staring at my bead collection for months remembering how much fun it used to provide me but now I’m in a slump. I would very much appreciate the inspiration Bead Simple could provide me!!
I really need this book because in finally finished my exams and have so much time I do not know what to do with. ;)
I need this book because beading is something my mom and I can do together. We used to craft together all the time when I was little, but haven’t been lately. She recently expressed an interest in learning to bead, so this would be a great way to get in some together time.
i need this book ‘cuz i don’t bead…yet!
I haven’t done any beading in forever and need to get motivated to start again.
What a gorgeous book! So much inspiration – I need this so that I can get out of my creative slump!
Wow, this book looks awesome! For me it’s the same as pretty much everyone who left a comment: I know how to put beads on a string, and I’m very interested in making my own jewelry, I just don’t really have a good technique, and I don’t have a lot of ideas. This book would be great to help me with that! Thanks!
I need this book because I’m finally being brave enough to invest in myself and my budding jewelry business. Plus, these designs seem right up my alley. I prefer clean, simple designs that complement, instead of dominate, a person’s wardrobe.
I’d love the book because I inherited A LOT of beads from my mother’s collection (I’m talking bins and bins here), but have done little to no jewelry making of my own, so they’ve just sat unhappily in their containers for over a year now.
I love craft books but my shelf is empty in the beading category despite selling jewelry on etsy! This looks like a great resource for ideas and inspiration!
This book would help out a poor college student who can’t afford to buy jewelry (Have you seen the prices these days? $50 for a beaded necklace? No thanks!) but would love to make her own.
All my jewelry ideas are tired. I need inspiration – like this book can offer me. Plus, I’ll totally talk it up on my blog. Exposure! ;)
Hmm.. why.. because I don’t know anything about beading and I love to learn!
I would love to win this book so I could give it to my sister-in-law. She loves making jewelry but hasn’t had the time or the money to take a class. She’d REALLY love a copy and I’d love to give it to her. Lyndsay
I need this book because I too often buy beads with ideas in my head, and then they pan out into blah..
This book is beautiful and might help motivate me to use some of the beads I have in my stash. Thanks for giving away a copy, I’d love to win.
I’ve made some jewelry that I’m pretty happy with but my technique is a bit sloppy. I’d love to have this book for some instruction and inspiration!
I need this book to make my first jewelry! Thanks for the giveaway.
I have a ton of beads I need to craft and give away! I really need some fresh ideas!!
i have missed jewelry making, and this looks like just the kind of book that would inspire me again!
I’ve been wanting this book since I first heard about it. I really want to get more involved in beading as a craft and the photos show that the style is right up my alley!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
This book would be the perfect gift for my jewelery making friend!
I recently quit my job so I can take care of my elderly parents. I am staying with them five days a week,3 hours from my home and in a remote location with no stores of any kind within an hour of their home. I have to drive 45 minutes to a library to use the internet! I am spending more time on my hobbies,including beading, and have taken most of my craft supplies to their house. Any free time I have is spent reading, knitting and beading. I need easy ideas that I can start and stop easily as well as something to refresh my beading skills. I feel blessed to be able to spend this time with my parents during the last part of their lives. I would love this book to help me get through the lonely times and to help me keep my sanity during this difficult time in all of our lives! Thanks for the opportunity !
I’ve been waiting for a book like this!
Wow! Book looks amazing. My fingers are just itching to try some of the designs/get inspiration from making a few and start crafting my own.
This book would help me out a lot. I’m definitely at the novice level in terms of jewerly — I’ve turned out a handful of earrings and what I usually do is crochet with silver wire and add in glass beads. (it’s fun, but it can really tear up your hands!)
On an unrelated note, I recently stumbled accross this blog and now I’m addicted. It makes me so happy.
My sister is the ultimate beader, and I would love nothing more than to present this book to her.
This book would be useful to me because I actually just started making jewelry and I was inspired by a woman in my community who has her own shop. I get stuck at times kind of like writer’s block lol… but this book would help kickstart my new hobby thank you
peace and love
My name is Linda and I’m a beadaholic. I NEED THIS BOOK!
I spent the last year living in England and traveling around Europe… because your luggage limit on flights is about 25lbs, the only souvenirs I could budget space for (besides chocolate! Everyone should bring back chocolate!) were beads! I’ve got this weird random and lovely collection of beads and pendants that I keep staring at blankly (and I think they stare back…) and I’ve no skill in figuring out what to do to make them part of my wardrobe. Thanks!!
oh i have been curious about this book.!
Please enter me in this giveaway! I have always wanted to learn to make my own jewelry!
Thanks!
Although I have made a few nice things, some have that (not in a good way) home made look about them. My technique could use some instruction.
The extent of my beadwork is fishing line and seed beads. This is a travesty for the girl (me!) that’s got it in her head she can make something simple, yet elegant for the bridesmaids in her wedding next June. This would definitely give me a heads up on how to make something gorgeous and memorable. Thanks for the opportunity!
I have been beading since I was ten years old and have never received any type of training. I know there are lots of things I am doing now that could be improved upon. This book would help sooooo much.
This book would be useful to me because i just started trying to make jewelry. I was inspired by a woman in my community who has her own shop and it was impressive. I sometimes get creative block lol But this book would help to kickstart my new hobby, thank you
peace and love
I would love this book. I’ve been planning to purchase it, but have lack of funds – given I’m a student. I have so many glass beads and have run out of ideas. The cover is beautiful and simple, too. Even if I don’t win, I want to say “THANKS!” for the offer.
The book looks great!
i have been admiring this book from afar on many a craft blog…i’d love to get a copy in my hot little hands.
Oh, I need this book so that I can start into my bead collection with a bit of a clue.
Well… I need this book for a couple of reasons. I’m currently a student at a local metalsmithing and design studio with hopes of starting my own business when I’ve graduated. Beading is not my #1 creative talent and I’m always looking for new resources and projects to help my skills grow as an artist and jeweler.
In other words…”Pick me, pick me, Pick me!!” ;0)
**Fingers and Toes Crossed**
fingers crossed… me please?
Spring is here and I’m bursting at the seams with motivation for making stuff. This would be an awesome way to figure out where to put my crafty energy :) (mellowbeing.at.gmail.dot.com)
wow, I’ve been waiting for this book to come out for awhile now. That ipod cozy is super cute!
I would really love to win this book. I used to do beading quit a bit but haven’t for quite some time. I would like to get started again but I don’t have a book to work with. This would be great!
I have a ton of beads, but always run out of ideas on what to do with them. I’m sure this book would be amazing inspiration!
I NEED THIS!!!! Why!? Here is my list…
1) I am a broke design student and never have money to buy stuff like this
2) I never win contests/drawings! Maybe I can finally win one!
3) I’ve been making jewelry since I was a bitty middle schooler and I am always seeking new inspiration.
4) I read the craftzine blog everyday!
yeah, i hope i win!
I need this book like peanut butter needs jelly, like fish needs chips, like a rock needs a hard place! I am lost in the sea of crafting – this book is my only chance for a life raft! Please save me, O Wise Craftzine!
dphilastre@gmail.com
My Mom is a wonderful beader! And, I would love to be able to give this to her for Mother’s Day! Or just an appreciative daughter token!!
mjb
If I get this book I would mail it to my very crafty mom who lives outside the country in a small town. When she visited me in the US last year she bought lots of beads at the gem show with hopes to make presents for friends and family. Little did she realize then that she would be stuck in a place not having any resource to string them.
I’d love to win this book – I’ve done some beading before, but I need some inspiration and I think Bead Simple would provide that!
Wow, what a gorgeous book!
I typically gift my beaded creations–to my boyfriend’s sisters, my friends on their birthdays, even my boss!–and I’d love to get my hot little hands on a copy of Bead Simple. With so many designs, I’d have much better odds of finding a piece to fit each lady’s unique sense of style!
I need this book because my face will explode if I don’t get it. Do you want to be responsible for that? *guilt guilt*
very pretty! I’ve done some beading, but want to take it to the next level. I think this would be a perfect way to do it!
I just saw this book reviewed on Angry Chicken. Do want! It sounds like a great book to get started. I love looking at the bead section in the craft store, and making beads out of Fimo, but I don’t know what to do with them. So I like that word “simple” there.
I’ve been reading about this book and I really want to look at it! But I’m in Portugal and the book is not available at the local bookstores… I love this site, by the way!
Oh my goodness! A Free book and it has beading in it!
I just moved down south to Florida and have lost all of my art contacts from back North. I am trying to start selling my jewelry again, but I am having a very hard time getting inspired. I think this book would be a great way to get my creative juices flowing again.
Plus, the pictures are gorgeous and in color! This would be a great book to show my students at school who are interested in making jewelry! I love being able to encourage young artists!
Please, Keep me in mind!
Thanks,
Lindsey
lldubbayou@gmail.com
Looks like a great book with simple, but lovely and very wearable, projects.
I’ve been fascinated by all things crafty since I was a young child. However, I’m now an adult who’s spent too much time at a job for which I’m not passionate. I want to feel freedom and creativity and this book looks wonderful. If you choose me, I promise to attempt some of the projects and to guest blog about them (if you like).
I used to love to bead when I was younger and would love to get reacquainted with the craft!
Because I need inspiration to get beading again!
I, personally, love books like this. I do a lot of beading, but I often feel like I’m in a rut. My library has few beading books and I’d love to have new inspiration.
I’m a very crafty person and I’m trying to get into making more jewelry. But I feel like a one-trick-pony sometimes: making variations on the same theme over and over. A book like this would be a breath of fresh air and help me expand my horizons and better myself. :)
I am moving from a one bedroom where I have to drag out my crafting to a larger apartment (in NYC) where I will have my own workroom and dedicated space to make jewelry. Now I need inspiration!
This looks like the perfect book for me. I love collecting beads, but so often I don’t know what to do with them!
I have been admiring other people’s bead jewelry and I finally have some time to try it out myself. But when I go in the craft store, it seems overwhelming for where to start. I *need* this book to help me get started with instructions and inspiration!
I’m a jewelery addict plain and simple. I started making my own jewelery two years ago, and am always looking for ways to incorporate new ideas and materials into what I wear. I’m also a sucker for simplistic pieces, and judging by the photos, these projects are perfect! ^^
I need this book because I keep buying beautiful beads but don’t know how to make anything with them!!
emily(dot)schildhouse(at)gmail(dot)com
Novice beader…could use some good ideas as well as some instruction on technique. Would LOVE this book!
Pick me! Pick me! God, I love this blog!
Why do I need this book? Because I’m a college student on a campus with a fantastic craft center that sells beads at great prices & has all sorts of tools available. I don’t take nearly enough advantage of their resources purely because I’m never quite sure how to translate my beading ideas into jewelery I can actually make. (Also, I’m a college student & I don’t have a lot of money to buy fancy craft books.)
why do i want this book? b/c i keep collecting many mucho dollars of beads and don’t know what to do with them!
Wow, this book looks great! I’m completely out of ideas for my huge bead stash… I sooo need a book like this…
I need this book because I keep buying beautiful beads but don’t know how to make anything with them!!
emily(dot)schildhouse(at)gmail(dot)com
I have way more beads than I have inspiration at the moment – and as a grad student/waitress/wife/furbabymom, i don’t always have the time or money to go looking for inspiration. if i were to win this book it would bring much needed inspiration, creative flow, stress relief as well as much adored gifts for my family and friends.
:-)
danielebotts@gmail.com
i would love this book so that i could make lovely jewelry to give as gifts! maybe then i wouldn’t be rushing around right before birthdays and holidays! : )
i have a ton of beads and really need help to figure out how to make something good. this book looks like it has some really great ideas.
i’m so addicted to this website!
oops, forgot to leave my email…
lisamarie817@gmail.com
I need this book because the other books I have are too complex. I want to get into beading, but I also want to start slowly. Having lots of simple projects to work on sounds heavenly!
Devon
This would be a splendid way to get back into beading- I just sorted through my beads and yarn, and realized I hadn’t made any jewelry in ages. The knitting has taken over for far too long.
I need this book. I would love to give my jewelry a fresh perspective. Thumbing through would yield eye candy and more ideas!
Beading is really not my thing, but this would be perfect for my mom on her upcoming birthday.
I need this book because I have three daughters and one son (ages 6 to 13) who love to play with beads. Some simple but beautiful projects to do with them would be fantastic! Besides, they might even make me something pretty for Mother’s Day. :)
I would love to have this book because I constantly am thinking of what to do with my beads, wire, and other supplies but I never have enough ideas. This book would help me tap back into my creative place and not only do the projects from the book but also have them inspire me to make more.
BTW you guys are amazing for doing things like this and the bog is amazing. Thanks :D
Posted by Melissa at April 2, 2008 9:00 PM
I love the look of this new book. I’m new to beading and this book could really help me out in a big way. I work waaay to many hours and this book might enable me to start a new obsession that’s not work.
Thanks a bunch,
Diane
headspace@mac.com
I’d love to win a copy – I’ve a ton of beads sitting in storage, and I desperately need inspiration till I can be reunited with my jewelry supplies…
I’d love to win a copy of this book because I’m really craving the earrings contributed by Tricia of bits & bobbins. My roommate gave me a similar pair as a gift but it broke and Tricia’s project seems to be to capture the essence of what I liked about those earrings originally.
This book would be useful to me because i just starting making jewelry and I get a creativity block, I need a little kickstart for my new hobby
thank you
peace and love…hr
I’d love to win a copy of this book because I keep buying beads and having no clue what to do with them. I need a good beading book to enable me.
Because it’s my 25th birthday, and I think I’m due for a new hobby. :)
Wow, I love the look of this book. I’m a fairly new beader, having made a bunch of earrings, one necklace, and a couple of bracelets so far. I like the fact that the book discusses techniques and uses materials I haven’t tried out yet (such as knotting and using ribbon).
I used to do alot of beading–but lately all have done is knit knit knit–I NEED this book to get me back into beading…thanks!
i would LOVE this book! i think i deserve it because even though i am a subscriber to craft magazine, I CANNOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME FIGURE OUT HOW TO SIGN IN (i did this under ‘anonymous’) i keep getting rejected
I’m a knitter and a new spinner. I haven’t dipped into beading as a hobby, other than to make stitch markers or to add beads to my knitting projects. I think that beadsimple would probably provide an excellent introduction and inspiration for me to begin branching out into beading as a hobby, especially incorporating the new yarns I’m creating as a spinner.
To everyone who is entering the contest, good luck! (Myself included, hee hee!)
To the winner, congratulations!
I have tons of beads and desperately need ideas on how to use them!
I’m a girl who loves all things “crafty” and would love to have this book – not only to share it with my other crafty-girl friends, but because we would be able to make lovely gifts for others and present and work on the designs in the book with our crafting group that we are starting…wooo hooo!
I like what “Beginning Beader” said too – good luck to everyone entering the contest!
I need help with my stash of beads. I don’t know what to do with them. help! Please I hope I win!
Hi!
I would love to win this book to go long with my mother’s Birthday gift. I have collected beads for over 6 months that I see on sale or that are just plain cool. A little here and a little there. My goal is to have a HUGE gift bag of awesome beads to give her. This book would just complete the gift!
Thanks!
Good luck to all!
i need this book for my sister..she is a “beader” and this would be a great source of inspiration for her…thanks
I have a big box of beading odds-and-ends that I’ve collected over the years, I just need the inspiration and motivation to start beading again. This book would be perfect!
I’m a knitter and have been wanting to bead for quite some time. I have a bunch of beads in my “stash” but no idea as to what to do with them! I’ve been eyeing this book for some time so I’d LOVE a copy!
b/c you can’t get your masters in “crafty,” I just really want to try out some of the items in the book and learn from your creativity.
INSPIRATION!! I read a few of the blogs of people who contributed to the book. It would be awesome to have a book that includes more from these inspiring individuals. My e-mail is ahopepgwa@yahoo.com
Hi!
I would love to win this book to go long with my mother’s Birthday gift. I have collected beads for over 6 months that I see on sale or that are just plain cool. A little here and a little there. My goal is to have a HUGE gift bag of awesome beads to give her. This book would just complete the gift!
Thanks!
Good luck to all!
Susan Beal appears to have graced us with a marvelous book and excellent tool which would certainly help both novice or veteran beaders alike because the beading world is such an ever evolving haven ! I’ve enjoyed beading since the mid 1970’s and despite that amount of years and numerous designs of my own and ,thanks to fellow beaders who’ve shared their designs with me as well,FRESH IDEAS can never be passed over. There can never be
too many ideas and I’d really enjoy sharing and using such as those Susan Beal provides in “BEAD SIMPLE” . Thanks
i used to avoid beads, didn’t think they were my thing but recently i came into ownership of a few plastic organizers worth and all of the sudden i can’t get away from them, when i go into craft stores there is a magnetic pull to look at more beads and i’m dying to make things with them. but i don’t have a clue how. please help me!
I’ve heard great things about this book, and would love to finally put my stash of beads to work!
I would so love to win this book.
I would love to win this book. The bead work looks so beautiful and I would love to learn a new and exciting craft. I have two little daughters that I would love to make beautiful jewelry for. Thanks for the chance to win!
I have bunches and bunches of beads and don’t know what to do with them! A new book with fresh design ideas would be just the thing to make nice jewlery, or embellish my other projects. Perfect.
I remember when i did some beading…soo long ago, this book can “rekindle” my love affair with beads ;-)