Rachel Hyde - Myshelf.com

If you have ever browsed the ancient history section of a museum and marveled at the beautiful jewelry this book is for you. Divided into three sections you can add a bit of ancient world style to your wardrobe with projects inspired by Egypt, Greece and Rome.

After a brief look at what you need (this is a beadwork book) and how to get the most out of the way the pages are laid out, the projects start. These are all primarily aimed that those with some beadwork experience, although they are marked as to how difficult they are to make. Each project has a historical note about the inspiration, and is illustrated handsomely with a page-sized photograph of the finished item. Apart from skill level (three of these) there is a list of what you need, full instructions with good-sized diagrams and even the technique you will use. Some crafts are best illustrated with staged photographs, but beadwork is best (in my opinion at least) with drawn diagrams and these are really clear and easy to follow. Egypt has the inevitable broad collars, strung necklaces and cuffs, while Greece and Rome tend less to follow exact ancient styles but mostly have projects based on items associated with them. Laurel wreaths, sea imagery, vase patterns, etc. make for some beautiful pieces, but there are also projects taking their inspiration from particular ancient jewelry which is shown alongside. At the back there is a handy ring-size guide for those not possessing a mandrel and a list of where you can buy materials if you live in the US, beading sites and those of museums with ancient collections to browse. I particularly like the way this book eschews the fancy beads and findings that it is hard to obtain outside the US and instead shows what you can do with rocailles and other very widely available materials. One for the keeper shelf.

Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts

Inspired by jewellery of the ancient classical world, this books presents beautiful handmade beaded necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets for today's fashions. Choose from 30 projects that have wide appeal. Whatever your skill level as a beader, this book will inspire you. The books provides and introduction into the materials you need and also core techniques. It is then split into three chapters: Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Each section has ten projects. There is a brief introduction to each section outlining a history of ancient jewellery. The projects clearly show tools and materials needed and a box detailing the skill level and techniques. The written instructions are clear and are accompanied by superb charts demonstrating the method. I love the collars and coiled bracelets.