The “Complete Photo Guide to Bead Crafts” is an excellent book for teaching children about beads, how to make certain types of beads and pendants, and how to string them on both fiber and wire. The book has 15 various projects which will appeal to girls and boys and it covers everything from pasta beads to stringing seed beads.
The book covers the basics: explaining about types of beads (even making your own); materials and tools (including wire, strings, and a really comprehensive set of information about various tools); and techniques (threading, tying macrame, and working with wire.) What I liked about the information provided in this part of the book is that it scaled from very simple to more complex. It can grow with your child as they progress in beading. Perhaps a young child will not use wire to begin with but they might use yarn or jelly cord. They might not start with head or eye pins but they might use plastic hooks. The tools may be used by an adult but eventually, the child might starting using them when they can do it safely. The tools section details what is done with and how to use the following: craft knife, bead reamer, cutters, flat-nose pliers, glue, glue gun, iron, oven, paper punch, rotary tool, scissors, and round-nose pliers, and rotary cutter (please only 13 and above and with close adult supervision as rotary cutters can really cause some serious damage – says the mother who had to take her 12 year old daughter to the emergency room.)
The Projects section finishes off the book with a bang. The projects range from easy to skilled as your child progresses: Fusible Bead Projects, Fairy Bubble Wand, Seashell Wind Chimes, Candy Necklace Party Favors, Friendship Charm Pin, Seasonal Zipper Pulls, Cootie Bug Study Buddy, School Spirit Utility Fob, Twirly Whirly Watch Bracelet, Button Ring, Pop Star Tiara, Beach Comber Flip-Flops, Crystal Night-Light Shade, Macrame Skater Cuff, and Daisy Chaim Bookmark.
A number of these projects are for boys and girls but I would teach my son the “girly” projects by having him make something as a gift for his grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher, etc. It is the skill that the child will learn in each project that will carry forward into future beading. I taught my late son the same crafts I taught my two daughters throughout their childhood. It was always fun even if the item was for a girl – my mother was always receptive to the gifts my son made for her. I have also taught my husband the same crafts and we love to craft together now that the kids are grown. This book is exactly the type of book I would have wanted to have on hand to teach my children beading. Now I will use it to teach my grandchildren.
On the last page and back cover of the book there are several more beading books listed which will help your children grow in skills. They also list the other books that are currently available in the Creative Kids line. The book is so well done, I will be picking up the other books in the line, too. I recommend it for anyone who wants to bead with their children or those who want to learn to bead themselves.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the publisher.
