Bead Romantique: Elegant Beadweaving Designs by Lisa Kan
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Book Reviews of Bead Romantique: Elegant Beadweaving Designs
Book Review: excellent patterns in a beautiful book!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am as addicted to books as I am to beading! Two of my favorite books are by Carol Wilcox Wells and though I have purchased many books since hers have been published, this is the first I would rank as highly as I rank hers. It is filled with inspiring, beautiful, and most importantly, ORIGINAL designs. It is a book that is a wonderful addition to an intermediate to advanced beader's library. The projects are fun to create and the directions are clear and easy to follow. I liked this book so much I bought 3 more to "gift" my beading friends with!!Book Review: Gorgeous book
Summary: 5 Stars
The theme of the book is romantic, almost Victorian looking pieces. Most of the supplies called for are really easy to find in local bead stores, and the rest can be found searching online.
The beginning of the book has some basic information about the supplies used, including what the author likes and dislikes about some threads and needles, and what the best application is for them.
Then you get into the rest of the book, the projects. They are stunning. They range from very easy and elegant chain and wirework projects, simple beadwoven projects with some lovely surface embellishment, and then some incredibly dramatic looking bead woven pieces. The color photographs are inspiring and the instructions and diagrams are very well written. Many of the projects are meant for the intermediate beader.
Don't be daunted though, the back of the book has stitch diagrams, and the text of each project is well written step by step.
My favorite thing about the projects is that a few of them combine techniques. Chain as an accent on a beadwoven necklace for example. Some of her designs are completely unexpected pairings of techniques and beads that turn out looking amazing.
Like I said, most supplies can be found easily at a good local bead store, and some projects are entirely made of easily found supplies, which is always nice in a book like this. The V Scallop necklace for example, you may have all the supplies you need on hand, or be inspired by it to make something similar with the supplies you do have on hand.
My personal favorite project in the whole book is the intricate motif constructed Victorian Diamond Cuff. It looks difficult, but it's actually made of diamond shaped motifs that look easy enough one at a time.
If you're an intermediate beader looking for inspiration and ideas, or a beginning beader looking for a challenge, I recommend this book.
Book Review: Beautiful, feminine jewelry designs!
Summary: 5 Stars
I usually like to browse jewelry books at the store before purchasing them, but I couldn't find this one at Barnes and Noble, so I decided to take a chance on it. I'm definitely not disappointed!!! The designs run the gamut from a beaded rivoli Y necklace to a more contemporary lariat to a gorgeous pearl and crystal cuff based around a diamond motif. I would agree with other reviewers that this probably isn't the best book for beginners. I enjoy that the designs incorporate basic wirework, chain, filigree, and wire mesh, in addition to the typical beading. The designs also utilize a variety of stitches (right-angle weave, Ndebele, circular peyote, and so forth), making it a great way to expand your beading skills.Book Review: Something for Everyone
Summary: 5 Stars
As a designer I judge a book by two criteria. First, does it inspire me to think of my own jewelry designs in a new way? Secondly, does it offer enough new techniques to help me further my knowledge and spur me on to add some new tricks to my design repertoire. Lisa's book offers both.
You may be new to the world of beading, nary a thread and bead to hand or you might know every beading stitch under the sun. I believe Bead Romantique has something for every level. The designs range from basic stringing and wire wrapping to complicated right-angle weave.
If you are new to beading, don't fear. There are earring projects to start out with that will help you with the basics. You can build up your skills as you work through the projects in this book. I love that many of the beading projects are small components that repeat and build together to create larger and more complex designs. The mix of chain and brass filigree add depth to the construction of some of the simpler beaded pieces, which is oh so clever!
I'd also recommend this book to someone who is an advanced beader. I could see this adding some creative sparks to those who have seen it all in the world of seed beads. I see quite a few projects that call for size 15 seed beads. (Those are the tiny ones smaller than regular seed beads!) In the beginning of the book Lisa says she wanted to create projects for the intermediate to advanced beaders who are looking for new inspiration.
Another bonus is the historic inspiration behind the jewelry, from the Renaissance period to Art Deco, along with a generous sprinkling of Victorian and Art Nouveau styles, Lisa covers 400 years of art history with style and grace!
Book Review: Fabulous book for intermediate/advance beader
Summary: 5 Stars
Well worth the money. Lots of projects to work on. Can't figure out which one I want to start with.
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