What can you do with beads?

We have a new craft book here that is perfect for people with very nimble fingers and very sharp eyesight. The Beaded Dollhouse: miniature furniture and accessories made with beads by Nobuyo Chiba is beading on steroids. She gives you precise diagrams and instructions on creating everything you need for your tiny little dollhouse: beds, tables, sofas, bureaus, lamps, fireplaces, wardrobes, rugs. I thought that was amazing enough until I started thumbing through the pages and saw the accessories she includes in this book. There are diagrams for creating magazine racks, potted plants, chandeliers, birdcages, a Christmas tree (complete with packages), curtains, hats, dresses and - get this! - slippers. Each slipper is made of 40 seed beads (which gives you a pretty good idea of the scale we are talking about with this book). All of the furniture and trinkets Chiba presents can be measured in inches, with a canopy bed coming out at approximately 3" x 3" x 3". The doors on the wardrobe open, the drawers in the desks slide in and out, and the couch comes with tiny little throw pillows. Be sure to look at the candelabrum on page 32, or the calla lily on page 27. If you love dollhouses or you know a little girl, and you have a lot of patience, then the items in this book will be right up your alley. This is a unique crafting resource, and the finished product will draw oohs and aahs from anyone.