Great Designs for Shaped Beads: Tilas, Peanuts, and Daggers

After her book 'Crystal Brilliance', it really didn't surprise me that this book is stunning. I love the designs. Almost every design in the book is begging me to get the beads out and start stitching and that's pretty amazing. The designs are clever, interesting, lovely, and even adorable. Some are very dainty and pretty and others are more geometric and less 'girly' looking and lots are somewhere in between.The book is divided into sections of projects for Tiles & Tilas, Peanuts & Berries, Daggers & Drops, and Creative Combinations. Anna's designs show the shaped beads being used in novel ways that are very attractive. As a matter of fact she has created the first designs I have ever seen featuring Tila beads that I would actually want to make. Projects in the book include bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, beaded beads, a bangle, a pendant, and components that can be used to create a variety of projects.One thing I really appreciate about this book is that the introduction section introduces you to the types of beads featured in the designs, the focus of the book: tiles and tilas, peanuts and berries (I'd never heard of berry beads before), and daggers and drops. She skips the pages and pages of info on all kinds of thread, needles, beads and tools that you usually see at the front of most beading books - and usually don't need or read. (Thank-you!!) A brief "Basics Review" section is included in four pages at the back of the book - just the right amount of such information. If you need more than that it's time to break out your beading basics books.The directions for each project feature a clear supply list, including brands and color identification in case you want to make an exact duplicate; a little chart showing how each bead type will be shown in the diagrams, step by step text instructions, and clear thread path diagrams. And oh yes, very important: lovely clear photos of the project, often in more than one colorway.I also like the Design Options sections at the end of the instructions for each design. Here Anna shows you how to make a variation of the project or how to make a coordinating item such as earrings or a ring or a bracelet to go with a necklace or a bracelet or a pendant.I highly, highly recommend this book to any beader past the beginning beginner stage. I'd say these designs are most suited to intermediate to advanced beaders and ambitious beginners.

I really only like a few of the designs in this book. I made the St. Pete's Meets Tila and tried to make the necklace option. I started out with about 8 1/2" of beading and about 14" of chain to make a longer necklace. When I tried it on, the beading would not hold it's shape and twisted. I kept cutting off chain and never had good success with any length. I could never get it to lay flat and not twist. I wasted a lot of chain because I cut an inch off each time. Also, the Fireline stretched and left spaces between the Tilas that were not there when I made it. Then I tried the Zigzag Trellis and the single row is underwhelming, to say the least. Guess, I'll try the double row, but not sure I will like that either. My final attempt will be the Tulip Lace bracelet. Hope that one turns out to my satisfaction. Maybe, part of my displeasure is due to the Tilas being so small and the resulting piece is too diminutive. I'd probably like 10-14mm Tilas so the resulting jewelry is more substantial and in line with the chunkier jewelry trend.

O purchased this we really nice book from Amazon. It was packaged good it arrived when it said it did.

I have purchased at least 15 beading books. Generally I am pleased if I like 4-5 designs in each. This book is amazing---received my copy yesterday and can't wait to try some of the designs. I found at least 15 that I love. The directions appear very clear and the design options are excellent. I will definitely check out Ms Draeger's other books.

This is a fine book for less experienced beaders, but a little disappointing to me since I was hoping for something a little more advanced. I wish Amazon would rate or at least describe the level for craft books, so we consumers could make more appropriate choices. So this is less a criticism of the book than a criticism of Amazon's descriptions of the books.

I love the designs in this book. I have just started bead stitching and have picked up quite a few tilas and peanuts. As a beginning bead stitcher there are projects that are simple enough for me to do. I have already tried two of the designs and even made my own variations.Great book-I want to bead more and am looking for time to try some of the more advanced projects.

I am trying to expand into different types of stitches and bead weaves. This book really helped to make it more simple. I really liked the use of interesting shapes and designs. This book is not for a beginner but is great for intermediate beaders or as a inspiration to those who know all of the different types of stitches but would like to use different shaped beads. Fun Book.

The is definately a keeper. It shows many ways to use the newly shaped beads that come out. I have several ideas that were sparked by this book. I particulary like the bracelets using the tila beads on edge. Only an expert designer would think of that.I have all of Anna's books and hope she writes many more.

This book is terrific if you like working with these type of beads. I have to confess I bought it mainly for the Tila bead patterns but looking through it I now want to buy the Peanut beads and even the Daggers eventually! I also love patterns which have the flexibility to use other beads if you wish, and there are loads in this book, which is also liberally scattered with useful tips and suggestions. I now want other books by this writer too as the quality of the instructions is excellent. Definitely a great buy.

The book has everything you need to know about shaped beads for use in beadweaving. Very clear instructions with good, easy-to-follow diagrams. Just what you would expect from a well known beading author. However, the rating was brought down by the length of time taken to receive it - although it was still within the 28 days given when the order was placed. I did e-mail the seller and received a reassuring and prompt reply promising a further copy or a full refund if it did not arrive by the due date. Luckily it came with 6 days to spare! The packaging was excellent and it arrived in pristine condition.

I have been beading for some years now and this caught my eye. A good friend of mine and I were discussing a bead book only to realise the exact same one - this one which has continued to keep us busy. These designs and colourways are well put together and clear to follow with good photographs and diagrams. I have had problems with accessing a couple of the beads in the UK, but you could substitute with alternatives and there are no stockists listed as with some bead titles. Still, this is worthy of 5 stars as the patterns will keep you busy and are very adaptable to the new-shaped beads now available which is what the title set out to achieve. Highly recommended.

This is a fantastic project book that I will be using again and again. It is full of interesting pieces created with some of the more unusual beads on the market at the moment. The instructions are easy to follow, the diagrams are clear and the photography is lovely.

Just starting out on this type of beading and I have found quite a few items in the book I want to start on as soon as the shops open and I can get hold of the materials!