Margie Deeb hits a home run with The Beader's Color Palette, a lush 192 page book full of inspiration, color palettes and jewelry projects. The book opens with an introduction followed by brief sections on how to read the palettes and creating palettes. Margie then jumps right into five gorgeous chapters entitled, The Elements, Artists' Historical Palettes, Cultures of Our World, This Gorgeous Planet, Living Color. The book ends with a chapter on inspiration and techniques including a gallery full of lovely artisan made beaded jewelry. The jewelry projects are rated which I found very helpful. Margie includes the inventory/color number of the Delica seed beads used in the projects. If you're looking to create the jewelry exactly as Margie has written them, this is just the information you'll need to make an exact replica. If you just like a particular color, you'll have the inventory number so you can get the beads in the color you desire, a detail not always available in a jewelry project book.

Lovely pictures, great information, gorgeous color palettes, what more can a beader want?

For those of you that are hesitant about this book, please review the "Search Inside this Book" link underneath the book cover image again. As you can see from the table of contents, the glory of this book IMHO comes from Deeb's use of historical color combinations and designs, to cultural variations, and fantasy. Included are natural stones from the earth and representing the elements (earth, water, air, fire) - not just Delicas as Deeb is so fond of using (with the appropriate color numbers listed for the projects and recommendations). This focus is very different than other beader books and much appreciated as many jewelers often focus on cultural, historical, etc. when developing their own designs. Unfortunately only 20 of the designs are discussed in depth so one can mimic the design, but there are soooooo many other wonderful images of jewelry designs that add to the creativity pathway for all beaders to begin from - not to duplicate! So I really consider this more of a book that compliments Deeb's earlier book on color (using primarily Delicas) and a necessary reference book for all serious jewelry designers to have and use. A true classic book that will definitely withstand the test of time in regards to design and color.

For those of you that are hesitant about this book, please review the "Search Inside this Book" link underneath the book cover image again. As you can see from the table of contents, the glory of this book IMHO comes from Deeb's use of historical color combinations and designs, to cultural variations, and fantasy. Included are natural stones from the earth and representing the elements (earth, water, air, fire) - not just Delicas as Deeb is so fond of using (with the appropriate color numbers listed for the projects and recommendations). This focus is very different than other beader books and much appreciated as many jewelers often focus on cultural, historical, etc. when developing their own designs. Unfortunately only 20 of the designs are discussed in depth so one can mimic the design, but there are soooooo many other wonderful images of jewelry designs that add to the creativity pathway for all beaders to begin from - not to duplicate! So I really consider this more of a book that compliments Deeb's earlier book on color (using primarily Delicas) and a necessary reference book for all serious jewelry designers to have and use. A true classic book that will definitely withstand the test of time in regards to design and color.

This is an excellent, high quality book! I'm thrilled at the color palettes and the BIG photos!

My only criticism is that the type size, especially for the project materials, is microscopic. And in some places, the type is even a very light color, making it even more difficult to read. As a graphic designer myself, I'm not sure of the reasoning for this.

At any rate, I guess I'll get some new glasses 'cause I know I'll have this book around for years!

I don't find the color palettes very helpful, but the photos of the jewelry are excellent for ideas for my own beadwork.

I LOVE this book! It inspires me on so many levels. The work that Margie created and those created by chosen artists to represent the different color palettes is incredible! My favorite artists were Jamie Cloud Eakin and Joan Babcock: Breath taking interprations! Such a great concept. I will dog ear this book through my years of creatively expressing myself. It feeds my soul.

I have an Art background and have been beading for a long time, but still see this book as a wonderful resource regarding the use of color. Margie's technique of using a photo or image and disecting the colors is a great tool for both beginners and advanced beaders. The projects in the book are varied and interesting but the material can be used in creating your own beadwork as well. Well done.

I purchased this book when it was mentioned on the web site of a jewelry designer I admire greatly - Mary Hicklin. I am definitely not disappointed. Ms. Deeb's use of color is fantastic. As at least one of the other reviewers states, she encourages and guides you in developing your own since of color and style. I rate it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in beading, jewelry making, art, etc.

What an eye opening book, a must for anyone who does art. This is a very finely illustrated book with great examples of finished items.

I bought this after reading two excerpts in two different magazines and I'm not disappointed. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the works featured are by some of the best artists around. The price on Amazon is so good that you can hardly go wrong, even if you buy it just for the pictures.

The reason I didn't give it four stars: I can hardly read it. The pages look beautiful visually, but when I "zoom" in for the details, I can't read them. In many cases the font is just too small. In other cases, the font is big enough but there is no contrast between the font and the page. Beige type on a white page is NOT legible when you are fifty. It's a popular way to design the printed page lately, I have the same problem with Wired magazine.

If the main audience for this book was under 30, it wouldn't be an issue. I feel like the book designers were more worried about how the page looks, and trying to cram SO much information onto the page that they forget who would be reading it.

I'm going to have to keep a magnifying glass next to the book. Interestingly, the excerpt in at least one magazine, the one I bought, were published in larger print.

The book really is nice though, and it hardly seems fair to criticize the small type, because there is just so much information crammed into it, but the low contrast type thing.... that wasn't necessary.

I have been so excited for this book to come out that I was almost afraid that I had built it up too much in my head. Turns out I did not build it up enough!! Last year I read (and have continued to study) Margie Deeb's book, The Beader's Guide to Color (see link below). With Ms. Deeb's ability to show the properties and effects of individual colors as well as mixes taken from the color wheel, I discovered that what I thought was my natural eye for color was, in fact, just a tiny glimpse of what was possible. The Beader's Color Palette builds even further on that. It is true that there are amazing projects already in the book as well as dozens of prepared color palettes and these are fabulous and inspiring. The many photos are lush and rich and enthralling. However, I believe the best thing about Margie Deeb's books is her ability to share her gift of vision. Not only does she help reveal the color palettes in various landscapes, pictures, pieces of art, etc, but she helps beaders to learn to discern for themselves the color palettes in the world around them. This is not a book to just read once and then put it on the shelf. Nor is this just an instruction book for wonderful projects. The Beader's Color Palette is a text to be studied, absorbed, and treasured over and over. Because there is so much contained in this book, I have found thus far that I can study it for a while (30 min to possibly an hour)but then I have to go away from it to absorb what I have read. Otherwise, I find I am on "sensory overload."(And yes, my husband thinks that is completely nuts:) To restate what I treasure the most about this book - Ms. Deeb does not just share her gift for understanding color, but she helps the reader to develop his or her own vision. With that vision comes an even greater appreciation for everything in your world.

The Beader's Guide to Color

I just got this amazing book today. I loved Margie Deeb's other Beaders Color Book, and this one is a whole new world. Mostly inspirations for advanced beaders, esp. off loom work. This book has a very unique approach to a color palette of beads, using photos and paintings to inspire a piece of jewelry. And so many gorgeous works of beady art! Theres over 800 photos in here! I love it! I am inspired! And now, my year-long stint of "beaders block" is over. I HIGHLY recommend this mostly to an advanced beader, but all levels can most certainly use this book too for inspiration. Its that versatile.