Book excerpt: This new title in the bestselling Ultimate series reveals all the techniques you need to begin beading – all the main crafts that use beads have been brought together in one book. The first chapter takes a brief look at the different ways of working with beads and covers the tools and basic techniques you will need to get started, as well as taking a detailed look at the ready-made beads available and how they are best used. The following chapter covers making beads in several different materials; although ready-made beads are easy to find, making your own can be very easy and is the ideal way to add a unique personal touch to your work. It also includes a section on using found materials as unusual beads. The chapter on bead jewellery covers basic jewellery making techniques and then moves on to threading ideas, and how to incorporate beads with different materials and techniques to make more unusual pieces. In the wirework chapter you will learn how to use wire and beads together for more than just jewellery – this section also covers ideas for decorative items and cardmaking. Bead looming and weaving are traditional techniques for creating closely beaded work, which can be used for everything from vintage-look decorative straps to ethnic bracelets. Beads can also be worked in to knitting and crochet projects as you work; all the basic techniques for doing this are included in chapter 5, along with some unusual beaded stitches to try. The final chapter on beaded embroiderycovers the different ways to combine beads and fabric or thread, from how to add a few random beads for a little sparkle to creating luxurious beaded fabrics or heavily beaded fringing.