The majority of beaders and jewelry makers are also active (or have been at one time) in other craft forms. Combine the idea of beads with other crafts such as paper crafts and home décor, and you have an intriguing combination. Jean Campbell?s book Beaded Weddings: 75+ Fabulous Ideas for Jewelry, Invitations, Reception Décor, Gifts, and More (Interweave Press $24.95 US; $33.95 CA) has a long title because it packs a lot of bead-related projects into 144 pages, which includes 90 illustrations and 125 color photographs.

If you are just into making jewelry, then this book probably isn?t for you because, while there are some nice jewelry projects (my favorites were the ?Pearlie Girl Ensemble? and the ?Gentlewoman Collar?) this book includes a whole slew of other craft projects that aren?t necessarily related to making jewelry, but they do include beads.

Those who are game to tackle an entire beaded wedding project will have an abundance of projects to pick from, including fairly involved projects that would take a good deal of time to super quickies that you could whip up in no time. For example, the pearl topiary shown on the cover would probably take some time, and you may not want to make one for every table at the reception, but a small version of this project is included, and this idea is carried throughout the book.

Even if you don?t have a wedding to turn into a beaded extravaganza, anyone who enjoys entertaining will find plenty of great ideas in Jean Campbell?s book for using your jewelry making skills and love of beads.