Like most jewelry books, it offers a few early chapters that cover basics such as tools, supplies, beads, and techniques. However, I would hesitate to suggest that this a beginning level book. Granted, none of the projects (and there are a lot of them - 52 in all) are overly advanced; however, the instructions provided for each project are very condensed. For those who are already familiar with the techniques used (such as attaching crimp beads and jump rings), the abbreviated text is enough to get a good idea of how each piece is assembled. Beginners - and I'm referring to someone who has never strung a bead - may find the instructions a little too brief. The same could be said for the techniques section, which I think could have used a few more illustrations (again if you are trying to instruct the beginner).
Most of the 52 projects includes a large (in many cases full page) color picture of the finished piece, so there's plenty of eye candy. Some of my favorite pieces include the "Peridot and Jasper Necklace," "Tiger Eye Braided Necklace," "Rhodochrosite Pendant Necklace and Earrings," and the "Card Lover's Bracelet."
