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Book review: Bead Soup



By now, most beaders have heard of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Project.  Each designer who participates swaps a focal bead, a unique clasp, and some coordinating beads with a partner.  They then set out to create a wonderful new piece of jewelry, supplementing as needed from their own stash.  I have been a participant in this ultra-fun project and blog hop, and I can tell you from experience that it's definitely a blast!  But wait...now there's a book...

Bead Soup is Lori Anderson's new book, sharing 32 fabulous projects of her own and by other participants in the swap.  Kalmbach Publishing calls Bead Soup a "recipe for success!" and they are completely right.  The recipes, I mean instructions, are easy to follow and allow for lots of substitutions.  Just as in cooking, you might not always have the exact ingredient on hand, and it's nice to know that you're being encouraged to make these projects your own.


Lori has arranged the book into four chapters, each based upon the method used to create the projects.  While I loved the two chapters on how to use random beads, and the chapter on working in a color palette, I really fell totally in love with the chapter on creating a necklace around a special focal bead.  Don't we all have issues with that from time to time?

If you have been a part of a Bead Soup swap with Lori's group, or perhaps even more so if you have not, you will enjoy Lori's lighthearted humor and warm writing style in this book.  And of course, you will love the projects!   




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