Features
- Cover Type: Paperback with 144 pages
- Published by: Interweave Press April 1, 2008
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 1596680466
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-1596680463
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Book Dimensions:
8.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
- Weighs: 15.2 ounces
Product Review
"Full of gorgeous, antique inspired beadwork. . . . Each project builds on simple elements that are broken down into easy, workable steps . . . you never feel lost." —CraftGossip.com
"Elegant, distinctly vintage feeling pieces . . . well within the beginner's abilities provided they take their time and carefully follow the step-by-step instructions." —Monsters and Critics.com
"I found the pictures gorgeous and the instructions and diagrams easy to understand and follow. . . . This is a great book." —Upper Midwest Bead Society newsletter
"140 pages of pure inspiration. The time, energy and pure love that she put into each project is striking—a must-have for beading enthusiasts!" —Sara Hardin, Soft Flex Company
Product Description
Inspired by art history, this step-by-step guidebook features 17 designs influenced by the Gothic, Renaissance, Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco eras reinterpreted in the artist’s distinctive, contemporary style. Emphasizing a mix of vintage findings, beads, lamp work, buttons, and modern components, this jewelry brings a feminine mystique and sophistication to ordinary beadwork. Each project builds on simple elements to create sophisticated designs and incorporate off-loom seed bead weaving, stringing, and wirework. Projects include a scalloped chain necklace, pearl Ndebele earrings and bracelet set, mesh pearl bracelets, bohemian drop earrings, a Victorian diamond cuff, and more. Novice beader will increase their skills and beading confidence while progressing through projects while advanced beaders will find exciting new challenges. This guide includes expert design and technique tips and tricks, detailed instruction and illustrations for every project, information on finding special classical beads, and ways to make modern components look vintage. Beaders will delight in the variety of methods to create elegant, feminine, and romantic heirloom-quality jewelry.
Reader Reviews
If you love jewelry from the Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and Renaissance periods, then you will love this book! All 17 of the designs are beautiful and unique -- and definitely very romantic in nature. The book opens with a short section on the basics of beading (choosing thread, needles, etc.), before moving into the 17 projects. While most of the projects focus on using seed beads and Swarovski crystals, some also integrate chain into the pieces. To give you an idea of what the pieces are like, they have names like Quatrefoil Renaissance Bracelet, Black Lace Lariat (which is inspired by Victorian jet mourning necklaces), Rivoli Y Drop, and Medici Rhinestone Necklace. The pieces draw on various time periods for their inspiration, and all definitely have a "romantic" flair to them. On her website, the author mentions that the book is designed for beginning and intermediate beaders, but I think that the projects may be a little too advanced for new beaders. Some familiarity with stitches like Ndebele, peyote, ladder, and right angle weave is probably good to have before attempting these projects; the instructions are detailed and there are good diagrams, but some knowledge of these stitches will make your beading more enjoyable. One potential problem I foresee is that some of the materials may be a bit hard to track down. The book does include a list of resources at the end, but I've already noticed that one of the brass findings suppliers only sells to wholesalers. Other than that drawback, the projects are lovely, and the instructions and diagrams are very clear!
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