Handmade, not Homemade is a bead stringing guide with detailed information for the beginner as well as lots of ideas and tips to keep you going after you master the basics. Over 200 full color photographs take you step by step through all the processes of making bracelets and necklaces. Several techniques are included: stringing with flex wire, carded nylon and silk, leather and suede lace, and making stretchy bracelets. A chapter on selecting beads and findings helps you know what materials you need and why you want or don't want certain ones. After you master the basics, there are two more chapters to keep you progressing in your stringing skills. A chapter on stringing multi-strand necklaces and bracelets gives you lots of inspirations on findings and techniques. Another chapter on getting fancy covers adding pendants, centerpieces, and embellishments. Tip boxes throughout the book let you in on some of the little secrets of stringing so you don't have to learn them the hard way