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 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.

I wanted ideas for using the Super Duos and Peanut beads, and I knew from experience that Anna Elizabeth Draeger's book would have great ideas. I found some easy patterns and good directions.

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.

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 just received this book from Amazon a short time ago. The instructions seem clear which is important to me as a beginner. I also found the projects attractive and clever. Definitely a good fit for people looking for simple projects with sophisticated results. I highly recommend it.

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.