Check my other reviews of Jenny's books, Crocheted Heirloom Beaded Bags, Some'r Hot Bikinis and Crocheted Ponchos, Toppers and Trims.

Jenny King is an author, instructor, crochet designer and a very dear friend.  She has authored a variety of wonderful crochet books and Beaded Belles is her latest publication.  Here is an exciting new group of creations worked onto porcelain half dolls.  Each design is absolutely smashing and Jenny's instructions make them very easy to make.

The half dolls are reminiscent of pincushion dolls of the past from the late 1800's through the 1940's.  The front and back of Jenny's book has 8 different porcelain dolls dressed in 8 different bead crochet fashions.  Each doll has clothing painted onto the top half plus the hair and face painted.  You match up the bottom half with beads and thread that matches the colors on the doll.  What's even better is you can actually order the half dolls from Jenny plus another supplier she lists, both in Australia. These porcelain reproductions look very classy, not like the mass produced head and arms "only" pieces that are a battle to dress before you can bead them.  Each half doll design on the cover has a number assigned as a reference to the project in the book and makes it easy to find which design you want to work.

In addition to the 8 tassel dressed half dolls, Jenny also includes instructions for making Spangle Bangle bracelets with bead crochet that you can wear.  These are very full loop bracelets that are very easy to make.  If you do not want to dress half dolls with long bead crochet tassel skirts or pincushions, you can use the design ideas for making other items.  I could easily see converting some of these skirt bottoms to tassels only, no half doll, or as embellishment to wearables or to work on my own bead crochet doll top.  I especially like the designs with a bustle type piece at the waist and then oodles of bead loops hanging from it.

All the bead stitches and how to pre-string the beads are explained at the beginning of the book along with illustrations.  Jenny provides abbreviations for Australian, British and European terminology and then provides a separate abbreviation listing for USA terminology.   All unique stitches are explained.

Orange and Red Flapper and The Sorceress are two of my favorite projects.  I am sure I find them the most appealing because of the immense amount of bead loops hanging down from the porcelain half dolls.  The red and orange beads in Orange and Red Flapper is very dynamic and includes a crocheted cord at the top so the flapper can be a hanging ornament.

Jenny gives you ideas for the Beaded Belles such as setting on a tea cozy or small jewelry or trinket box.  Some of the half dolls work better for setting on the top of items and others look great as hanging tassel dolls.

At the back of the book, Jenny explains how these designs evolved and tells you a little story about her adventure in preparing this book.  She always gives credit to those who have helped her with testing or source information.

When you start one of Jenny's projects, you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to follow her instructions and rounds.  Each project includes a materials list for everything you need including beads, thread, needles and crochet hook size.

Jenny's Beaded Belles creations will ensconce you in a mood of romantic, Victorian flair and boudoir intrigue of the past.  I highly recommend Beaded Belles, a unique and delightful book for bead and fiber lovers.