Bead Romantique: Elegant Beadweaving Designs

Inspired by art history, artist Lisa Kan offers a truly unique jewelry collection with a romantic yet modern sensibility. Bead Romantique: Elegant Beadweaving Designs features seventeen step-by-step designs inspired by the Gothic, Renaissance, Victorian, and Art Nouveau eras reinterpreted in her distinctive contemporary style. Emphasizing a mix of vintage findings, beads, lampwork, buttons, and modern components, Lisa's jewelry brings a feminine mystique and sophistication to beadwork design.

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 bracelet, bohemian drop earrings, a Victorian diamond cuff, and more. Novice beaders can progress through projects and increase their skills and beading confidence while advanced beaders will find exciting new challenges. Included are Lisa's expert design and technique tips and tricks along with detailed instruction and illustrations for every project. Lisa also gives information on finding special vintage beads and components to give your jewelry that romantic quality plus ways to make modern components look vintage. Beaders will love seeing projects worked in a variety of colorways to provide ideas for endless customization.

Create elegant, feminine, and romantic heirloom-quality jewelry with Bead Romantique.

Reviews: "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, Jewelry Making Editor

"Lisa Kan is one of my all time favorite beadmakers and designers."-Heather Powers, ArtBeadScene.com

"An inspiration... You are not likely to find designs like Kan’s in any other book. The Elizabethan and Victorian eras are renowned for their opulent, elegant jewelry. If you are drawn to this jewelry and would like understandable directions for creating updated versions... take a look at Bead Romantique."-Step bt Step Beads magazine

"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

Projects

• Scalloped Chain Necklace- The simplicity of this design is balanced by the central focal bead, and the scallop layout is reminiscent of the hems of flapper-style dresses of the 1920s.
• Ndebele Pearl Medallion Earrings and Bracelet- The addition of the Swarovski margarita flower crystal adds subtle sparkle to this earrings and bracelet set.
• Netted Rivoli Chain Earrings- The tiered effected created by the differing lengths of fine chain exude a sense of liveliness as the earrings move with you.
• Pearl Cascade Necklace- A mother of the bride could wear this piece on her daughter's wedding day.
• V-Scallop Necklace- The elegant gem-encrusted necklace collars you may see on Hollywood mavens were the inspiration for this piece.
• Mesh Pearl Bracelet- The elegant pearl dangles in this bracelet are accented by the wire mesh, which not only cushions the pearls but also creates volume and airiness.
• Ndebele Twist Band with Flower Center- This band feels nice around the wrist, and has a multilayered Ndebele floral as a focal point.
• Bohemian Drop Earrings- The antique brass filigree findings in these earrings conjure impressions of a bygone era.
• Rivoli Y Drop Necklace- The "Y" necklace is an updated interpretation of Victorian jeweled necklaces worn by aristocratic ladies of the court.
• Quatrefoil Nouveau Festoon Necklace- Festoon designs of the Victorian and Edwardian eras often featured swags of beads or chain that draped gracefully over the neckline.
• Double-Sided Maiden Necklace- This necklace design was inspired by Kelly Russell's polymer clay work.
• Medici Rhinestone Necklace- During the Renaissance period, jeweled medallion necklaces were often decorated with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds, much like this necklace embedded with vintage rhinestones.
• Deco Collar with Gemstone Drops- The clasp of this Deco Collar is adorned with five gemstone drops, which together make up the tiered pendant.
• Black Lace Lariat- This design is inspired by Victorian lacework and Whitby jet mourning necklaces, en vogue during Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901.)
• Quatrefoil Renaissance Bracelet- This bracelet uses a quatrefoil-shaped element along with a triangle medallion element for a dazzling Renaissance-inspired bracelet.
• Victorian Diamond Cuff- This design first originated with the single diamond component.
• Triple Spiral Garden Lariat- This particular lariat came about as Lisa was creating texture with a triple spiral stitch.