Even though I have every issue of BeadStyle, it's satisfying to pick up the annual hardcover compilations of projects. Easy Beading, Volume 4 looks great! We have over 50 designers in one place — something we could never accomplish within 140 pages in a regular issue.

Easy Beading is arranged by materials: glass and ceramic, pearls and shells, metal and chain, gemstones, crystals, and mixed materials. Not surprisingly, mixed materials is the biggest section. This past year, we all liked designers who could combine different elements in innovative ways.

A few of my favorite projects from the year:

"Go bohemian" earrings by Rupa Balachandar. I'm a sucker for huge earrings, and she does a beautiful job combining Swarovski flatback and bicone crystals.

"Quick mix and match" by Eva Kapitany. This is a deceptively easy CZ necklace. The design doesn't require a lot of materials, and I love the clean lines and brilliant colors.

"Easy loops connect stylish chain and stunning briolettes" by Marla Gulotta. The name pretty much sums it up. It's hard not to like briolettes, with their classic, flattering shape. And Marla's design lends itself to numerous alternatives: you can change the colors, use a graduated strand, or even vary the shapes ever so slightly (with rounder, rather than flat, briolettes).