Once you start stringing jewelry, it doesn?t take long before beads become an obsession. Not only are they uniquely beautiful pieces of small art, beads have a rich history, some even being used by ancient man as a type of currency.

The number, type, design, and materials used for beads, however, can be dizzying, especially for the beginner. A new bead directory, published by Interweave Press, may be one answer to finding your way through the maze of bead available in today?s market.

The Bead Directory: The Complete Guide to Choosing and Using More than 600 Beautiful Beads by Elise Mann ($24.95 US; $33.95 Canada) is just what the subtitle suggests, information on loads and loads of beads. Every page is filled with detailed colored photographs as well as descriptions and statistical information.

From a company press release: ?The Bead Directory offers a short summary of how the bead is typically used in design, where the bead originates, the color range of each type of bead, size of hole, length and width of the bead, suitable stringing materials, and a special photo panel that recommends beads for mixing and matching.?

I can easily recommend this book for beginners, but even the advanced beader will enjoy flipping through its pages.