Beadazzled: Where Beads & Inspiration Meet. By Penelope Diamanti. Photographs by William L. Allen.

This book, by the founder of the three Beadazzled stores, showcases many different artists and styles of beadwork from around the world. Penny Diamanti gathers 70 of the top designers of beaded jewelry from 23 states, Canada and Israel. Her knowledge comes first-hand from having lived and worked all over the world. This inspiring volume was written, designed and photographed by an amazing team with years of experience at the National Geographic Society. Diamanti divides her book into seven chapters from gemstones to contemporary pieces. Each chapter gives a short history of the beads and includes stunning photographs of the pieces that comprise the section. This book teaches that inspiration for beaded design is all around us and that beading is truly wearable art. If this book has done its job, you should be torn between browsing its pages and running to your own collection of beads to make some jewelry. Hardcover, 9.5"x10" 208 pages.