Lariats You Will Love: Knotted Treasures

Yesterday, Beading Daily did a writeup on lariats. Here is the link to read the newsletter.

You will find my Knotted Treasure Lariat featured with a limited time free download. This project was originally published in the February/March issue of Beadwork Magazine in 2007. It was my first article for Beadwork, thus began my long association with the magazine as well as Interweave Press. I have written MANY articles since then.

It was later that year (August 2007), even before I ever wrote a seed beaded project for Beadwork Magazine, the editors trusted in my abilities and offered me the opportunity to write my book, Bead Romantique. As they say,"The rest is history...." I have Interweave Press to thank for having faith in my abilities, not only as a writer but as a designer.

In the meantime, the Knotted Treasure design was missing an important part that I later discovered when I designed the Pearl Mesh Bracelet for Bead Romantique. In order for the mesh not to fray, you need to twist the ends and add a dab of GS Hypo Cement. Let dry and spread the mesh embellishments into little leaf shapes.

If you need Italian Mesh, I do carry 100" spools in 28 colors of the 6mm mesh. Just visit my website to order. If you will be at Bead and Button or any show I exhibit at, you will see this necklace up close and personal.

Here's the link to download the "Knotted Treasures" project absolutely FREE from Beading Daily.

Enjoy this project!!!

Lisa

Passionflower on Knitting Daily Spring 2009

Let me introduce you to my romantic side again and again through my beadwork.

This is Passionflower...

This design was one of six designs, originally published in the April/May issue, which I created to share as Beadwork Magazine's Designer of the Year (DOY) 2009.

As you can see, I can't help but to be influenced by the Victorian/Nouveau period in my work.

This design is actually quite simple and quick to make. Don't let the finished piece fool you. It's one of my techniques in writing projects... to create designs that look difficult but are easy to create. Although it appeared in 2009, you can still pick up the back issue or the project PDF on Interweave's website.

Why am I going back in time and writing about this design on the blog, you ask?

As many of you know, one of my favorite things to delve into during the winter months is knitting with natural fibers (WHEN DOES LISA FIND TIME TO KNIT?) , especially that of wool/silk blends. I have been teaching myself knitting for the last few years but only realistically knitting for a few months because there is just so many things to do around here. I'm a fast learner and have knitted not ONE but TWO queen sized blankets that I'll share photos here sometime later)

(Lisa's informative side note: Your hands are the best creative part of your body... second only to your mind and imagination... your hands create the art that your mind thinks up! So folks, take care of those HANDS!)


So, I was clearing my mailbox of old emails and found that I had wanted to make a note here sometime ago but got busy. Knitting Daily featured the Diminishing Rib Cardigan, cover project from the Interweave Knits Spring 2009 issue, in a superb and wonderful gallery on their blog.

Now how does this EVEN have ANYTHING to do with the Passionflower DOY project?

Have patience my readers...

I'll get to the rest of the story. (For those folks who love trivia like me, this is a Paul Harvey reference.)

Well if you click this link you will find the answer but please promise to come back to my blog, okay?

I'm waiting....

Okay...

Thank you for coming back to my blog.

I appreciate you listening to directions. ;o)

So now that you've visited the link and even if you didn't, tonight I feel nice and HAPPY so I'll tell you what this is all about, anyways.

(I'm not REALLY THAT nice, folks...don't believe the rumors of my niceness from anyone who DARES to spread such rumors about me. Just go to my Facebook page and see how mean I REALLY am!)

The good folks at the knitting division of Interweave Press, was nice enough to model their Diminishing Rib Cardigan WITH my Passionflower design for Knitting Daily's Gallery.

How COOL is that?

That is Way COOL.

I love SURPRISES, don't you?

Sorry for the caps folks, I am just Happy.

I found this link quite by accident roaming around in knitting newsgroups searching for info, searching for yarn, researching as I do on most things I get myself into.

This was a WONDERFUL surprise and can you tell from the photos that all the models are HAPPY? They are HAPPY to be out in the sun and wearing my Passionflower necklace while wearing the lovely, beautiful Diminishing Rib Cardigan?

Being Happy is GREAT!

If you are puzzled as to why I have reference the word "Happy" or feeling of "Happiness" so often in this post, then you must read THIS POST from Wednesday March 3, 2010.

Go there NOW!

Then Come Back Here!

Enjoy Your Surprises

and BE HAPPY

Today, Tomorrow and Forever

Goodnight!

I'm Tired

Lisa

Beadwork Oct/Nov 2009 Designer of the Year Project: Plum Blossom

Just wanted to share photos of how the Plum Blossom necklaces are worn. I will post additional comments and give you the nitty gritty on seed colors I used later. When time permits, I will also backtrack to previous Designer of the Year projects to write about them. I'm trying to make up for lost time...haha...

Become a modern flapper with this necklace. The blue version below has a slightly different rope that is not covered in the Beadwork article. It is a twisted Ndebele (Herringbone) rope. It will be gifted soon to my friend Jannell Botto of Specialty Beads. You can really tweak this design and use the beaded Plum Blossoms (Ume) as bracelet or ring embellishments. I also see possibilities with the Botanicals in this design.

Hmmm... I think I sense a beaded project in my future.

These necklaces will be showcased at Bead Fest Portland. YAY! I'll actually be wearing one.

I'll also periodically post my show escapades from this year. I have a lot to catch up on with the blog... so you'll know that I am not sitting around... doing nothing. heheh...

*****

Many have asked at shows... no I am not working on a new book right now. I do think about potential projects all the time though. You should see the amount of new research and reference materials I have collected for my library shelves ... and to be honest magazine clippings are all over the floor too. I collect ideas from many sources and they end up in almost every room. I am currently taking a break from designing/beading to refresh myself while focusing on my glasswork.

One can realistically create and devote themselves to one medium at a time without resulting in cruddy work. And I DON'T have any desire to create cruddy work...

I WILL return back to designing and beading when the time is right... when the tiny seeds start yelling at me... that is, if I am not knitting, which I also miss. ;o) (I'll also share and write about knitting again soon.)

I'll write more on this post later... time to head to the studio for another 12+ hour day... at least it has cooled down a bit here and we are surviving the fires. But these fingers, hands and arms are aching from working these hours!

Anything for the sake of art... even if these arms fall off. ;oP

(Developing...)

Your Opinion Counts ...

This morning I received the latest BeadingDaily.com newsletter. It was filled with ideas from Beadwork Editor, Melinda Barta, on how to take design elements from the April/May issue to create your own unique beadwork. I admit I also have never attempted any designs from all the bead magazines I subscribe to or follow instructions.... haha. I usually flip through my magazines to see color combos and what my fellow designer friends are designing these days. Bead magazines are great sources of inspiration but don't limit yourself as interior design, fashion, gardening, photography, fiber, knitting and other magazines are also great resources in planting ideas for your creativity.

I also received an email from a CT beader, Judy, this morning asking me where I get my ideas and how I get inspired for my designs. I wrote several articles for Softflex Company in 2007 - a three part series, that explains how I approach designing beadwork. Take a look and read here.

In the meantime, I was excited to read that our opinions count with Beadwork Magazine. It's great to see a magazine take reader's opinions and comments to the next level to implement them in their pages. I encourage everyone to participate in the Beadwork Reader Advisory Panel.

I'll be posting some Santa Fe stories and photos on the blog soon after I finish compiling the Oct/Nov Designer of the Year project. Back to writing instructions. Last minute designing helps challenge me and push my designing sensibilities up a notch or two. I hope you all have enjoyed the Designer of the Year projects from myself and my fellow DOY designers. And please keep the emails coming. I always enjoy hearing from you all and reading what beady projects you've made. Pictures are also gladly welcomed.

Bead Creatively,

Lisa

Projects from the Interweave Store

Hello everyone,

Yes it is I and I am back from Santa Fe with new bead adventures, photos and dining stories to share.

But..............

Yes I must be a responsible beader and writer.

I must work on an urgent project the next 7 days to meet a super duper important deadline. No need for sleep and I will complete my task.

So I will write more here sometime late next week.

In the meantime, many of you have been looking for select projects from past issues of Beadwork, Stringing, Step by Step Beads, etc. I'm happy to let you know that fourteen of my previous projects and Bead Romantique can be purchased from the Interweave Store. Here is a brief listing of what's available. For a photo of each project, please visit this link:

Pearly Mosaic Item #: EP0590 - A necklace composed of sea-toned circular peyote-stitched "tiles" Mosaic tile work inspired this necklace in colors chosen to mimic the sea. By utilizing both transparent and opaque Japanese seed beads in two sizes, the designer added subtle textural interest to... [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Haiku Item #: EP0592 - Poetic 3-strand necklace To design this necklace, the designer drew from her travels to Japan and her appreciation of the Japanese poet's ability to capture the changing seasons in classical haiku. Summer berries are the... [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Ice Princess Item #: EP0159 - Victorian lace necklace Inspired by Victorian lace, designer Lisa Kan created graceful peyote loops to adorn a herringbone necklace. Crystal quartz briolette beads cluster like frozen droplets. [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Merlot Item #: EP0596 - Pretty Leaf Necklace Pay tribute to the season by incorporating leaves into your next jewelry creation. [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Knotted Treasures Item #: EP0594 - A rich mesh-embellished lariat This rich lariat is meant to be worn wrapped twice around the neck with a tiered effect; the double strands create a more substantial lariat with added texture. This is a great design for using... [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Spiced Tea Item #: EP0598 - Cool Autumn Eve Necklace The rich, warm tones of carnelian, smoky quartz, and gold vermeil in this necklace evoke the feeling of a cool autumn eve, in which the wearer is sipping a hot cup of spiced tea and soaking up the... [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Autumn Bouquet Item #: EP0879 - Brick, herringbone, and peyote stitches unite in a stunning necklace of delicate flowers and leaves. Incorporating leaves she created in her glass studio, this intricate necklace is designed using a variety of beadweaving techniques (brick stitch, herringbone stitch, peyote stitch, spiral rope,... [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Painted Desert Item #: EP0460 - Southwest inspired beaded necklace. For this necklace, the designer was inspired by the colors of the Southwest - turquoise, burnt orange, sienna, and tan. The interplay of color and variously shaped beads adds textural interest to... [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

River's Edge Item #: EP0597 - Five-strand necklace This five-strand necklace draws its inspiration from the designer's travels through the Pacific Northwest, where everywhere trees reached for the skies, and the sound of water was ever-present. [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Marguerite Chandelier Earrings Item #: EP0595 - Circular netting is embellished with chain fringes and crystals for sparkling ear adornments Crystal marguerites (flowers) in these romantic accessories beautifully echo the floral earring posts, while the delicate chain dangles add movement. [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Petit Fiore Trellis Bracelet Item #: EP0591 - Picot flowers on right-angle weave trellis This bracelet features a rainbow of picot-based flowers on a right-angle-weave trellis. The design encircles the wrist like a delicate corsage - a dainty and feminine piece that can be worn with... [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Berrylicious Item #: EP0124 - Bracelet featuring berry colored beads Whether berries are eaten by themselves, baked into pies, or sprinkled atop vanilla ice cream, they are berrylicious! In the spirit of that, this bracelet has clusters of gemstones and pearls in... [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Petit Fiore Earrings Item #: EP1127 - Simply stunning earring design Combining seed beads, crystal marguerites, fine chain, and a cubic zirconia drop and earring finding, this earring design is simply stunning. Its base is made with right-angle weave; the flower with... [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

Bead Romantique: Elegant Beadweaving Designs Item #: 08BD2 - Bead Romantique features seventeen step-by-step designs inspired by the Gothic, Renaissance, Victorian, and Art Nouveau eras reinterpreted in her distinctive contemporary style. 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... [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $24.95

Turning Leaf Item #: EP1365 - Wire-wrapped-loop chain necklace This necklace incorporates the rich, warm colors of the autumn season. Create a custom chain with delicate pearl dangles to accent the lampworked ginkgo focal bead. [more info...]
Availability: In Stock
Price: $4.00

*****

Thank you for enjoying my work, in both glass and seeds

It was great to speak, meet and greet all

in Santa Fe, in emails, and in between

Now I've got to get BUSY or else,

To design, bead and write

The next Designer of the Year project

It is indeed always this hectic, why ask why?

When I switch hats from glass to tiny seeds

I tend to design last minute, a challenge to myself

How I love the mystery of what will result, the pressures

In the transformation of the intangible, my visions

Into reality of what is to be, will become

What I see is not always the obvious, as I live in daydreams

So I'll stop writing here in just a bit, to work hard

Or am I really hardly working, just having fun

I am driven by this great passion to share with anyone

My love of history, of cultures and of nature, stories to tell

To teach through beads, in colors and textures

So gather around everyone, to bead or not to bead

Let's explore together, our individual creativity

*****

Silly, silly

Ms. Lisa

Food Stop: King and I Thai Restaurant

The King and I Thai Restaurant

Friday June 6, 2008
Approximately 8:30 P.M.

After the show on Friday, our friends Vintaj introduced us to the first Thai restaurant in Milwaukee, the King and I. We had been "stuck" on our section of town because of the rain, never considering to walk through the Convention skywalk to the Hyatt, to explore restaurants "on the other side". We arrived a little later than the others, but not intentionally, as the elevators at the Hilton was operating SLOWLY that evening. We walked quickly and after several blocks made it to the restaurant. Our mutual good friend, Marlene Blessing, editor of Beadwork Magazine, also was able to join the "family" for dinner. The entire Vintaj family was there and it was great to get to know all of them. It's become somewhat of a tradition that if we are both exhibiting at the same show together, we dine at least once together. The girls of Vintaj are just fabulous, innovative, family-oriented and have become great buddies. They launched a new Fall ad which featured my tourmaline Ginkgo leaves. I shall upload a photo later to share but just thumbed through ANY Fall bead magazine and you shall see the Ginkgos shine.

At the show on Friday, a male patron visited the Vintaj booth and was somewhat mesmerized by the Ginkgo necklace on display. The necklace was the EXACT one used in the showguide ad. The necklace fell to the floor as he reached to take a closer look. Perhaps he was wondering if the leaves were really glass. I get that reaction a lot. Well, the Ginkgos were still intact when the necklace fell, but the fellow somehow stepped on not just one leaf but both of the Ginkgos - resulting in a broken set of Ginkgos. Guess what? Tourmaline leaves are by far the most popular color in my leaf series. Jean from Vintaj ran over and I only had one strand left fortunately. So a newly fixed necklace was back out on display again. Whew! That was close. Thanks to Vintaj for using the Ginkgos in their latest ad campaign! Specialty Beads is also using the Haiku in their latest ad campaign. Thank you Jannell, again and again.

Back to dinner at the King and I. Perusing the menu, there were some very interesting menu items I have never seen in Los Angeles. We all shared some Thai beef jerky that was quite tasty if I say so myself. I went for my favorite dish, Beef Panang (coconut curry, ground peanuts and sweet curry paste). The flavors were very tasty but a tad sweeter than my preference. I enjoyed it with a bed of rice to soak up all the coconut/peanut creamy sauce. Nick ordered the Mango Curry with chicken. I have never seen mango with Thai food so that was an interesting combination of sweet and spicy. The meal was delicious but the company was even better.

I am usually VERY chatty but that day I was SO exhausted Friday night. The show was opened from 10-8p.m. and this girl was up at 5 a.m. to be prepped for the web interview. This was the longest show day I have ever experienced. I tried to be good company at dinner but was somewhat "out of it" by that hour. Do you blame me?

Exhausted,
Lisa

Beadwork Magazine: Apr/May 2008

The April/May issue of Beadwork offers more than just your garden variety beading projects. This issue is packed with 20+ designs for spring that will have your inner creative voice singing like a robin when you see the gorgeous palette of colors, textures, and inspired variations of your favorite beadwork techniques.

You will not be able to resist making one of these 5 botanical beauties from this delightful Bracelet Bouquet arrangement featured in the April/May issue of Beadwork.

From left to right –
• Cathi Tessier’s Flirty Fringe is a two-drop peyote stitch with fringe and is quick to make.
• Lisa Kan’s right angle weave Petit Fiore Trellis Bracelet features a rainbow of picot-based flowers.
• Lucie’s Daisy Patch by Kelli Burns offers a great way to practice the daisy chain stitch.
• Tender Buds by Julie Walker uses peyote stitch and a daisy chain variation with pressed-glass and crystal beads for a sparking garland with a touch of shimmer.
• Blossoming Vine by Laina Goodman is a nature-inspired spiral rope bracelet, fusing glass flowers, leaves and crystals.

**************

Yes I don't sleep. In the latest issue of Beadwork Magazine you will find the Petit Fiore Trellis Bracelet. The matching earrings is a web-exclusive FREE project. More info on these projects and other photos in a future post.

I must return to getting ready for Portland! Time is running out! Yikes...

The Red Haiku ...

Okay I admit, I snagged this photo from my friend, Andrew Thornton's blog. Andrew always has his camera handy and was able to capture the beautiful Jamie Hogsett wearing a RED Haiku bead I gave her last year before she left Interweave. I keep telling myself to run away from Andrew when he has his camera because he has a knack at capturing me without makeup, talking or eating, or worse yet in an unattractive pose. Where's my glamor shot now? I need proper lighting and a makeup artist to doll me up. Oh well, I'm just a simple girl and at least you know I can look pretty if I have to. Give me a nice T-shirt and a pair of jeans anytime.

It was because of Jamie that my River's Edge necklace made it to the cover of Spring 2006 issue of Stringing Magazine. When I found out Jamie was leaving May last year, I took Jamie down memory lane, and sent her away with a box of my beads - one from each of the projects I wrote for Interweave - during her tenure. She deserved every bead and more. I love spoiling my friends. I challenged Jamie to use any of her beads to make a finished project for Tucson 2008 and wear it at the Interweave party. Jamie did NOT disappoint and was the ONLY one out of the two others editors that completed her challenge with flying colors. I will protect the innocent and not mention the other editors' names but they have another year to complete their challenges. (WINK! hint: I will see them next month at Bead Expo Portland) I will have to say that Jamie's sophisticated clean design really features the red Haiku and make it SHINE. Red, was selected for Jamie because it symbolizes passion and love. It also symbolizes good luck, fortune and prosperity. Hugs to you Jamie!

The beautiful Melinda Barta, Managing Editor of Beadwork and Stringing Magazine, sparkles with a lovely style is smiling to Jamie's left. She gave me a heartwarming hug after our dinner on Wednesday night. I love hanging out with my friends from Interweave! I get the chance to work with so many talented Interweave editors and am one LUCKY girl! (click the photo to get a closeup of the lovely black and red Haiku necklace gracing Jamie's neck!)

Show Stop: February 5-10, 2008: Manning House, Tucson, AZ

I thought I would start posting some photos my husband, Nick, helped me take during the Tucson show. The photos are with Nick's camera, a Kodak, not mine that I usually use for the bead and jewelry photos on my website. There are some show photos I'll post later that aren't too pretty but since I have them to share, I might as well. The photos are the best his little Kodak can generate and not due to Nick's skills as a photographer. (At least that is what I tell him. hahah) This was just a portable camera that he likes to take on our trips. I often joke with him that he should stick with Canon or Nikon. My camera is the old trusty Nikon 995 that I purchased in 2004 and it still works like a charm. My photos would not be as pretty without the Nikon and my Bowen Tri-Lites (I have three of them)

The first "Show Stop" photos are of the beautiful Manning House Mansion, where I have been exhibiting for the last three years, since the show's inception. This show is where it all began for me, January 2005, my first major show while STILL working fulltime as an engineer. I was invited to join the show on November 17, 2004. I remembered the date distinctly because I recall I thought to myself "what did I get myself into and how am I going to have enough beads to make it worthwhile?". I BELIEVED and proceeded forward to build my signature booth look. Today the booth is pretty much the same, with a few additional accents here and there. Even the banner, is the original one I took to that first show.

So, I had saved up two weeks vacation and used it all for Tucson 2005! One week to make as many beads as possible for Tucson and another for the actual show dates. I know you think it's crazy to work only one week in the studio, to make as many beads, and expect to be prepared for Tucson. You know, you're right. You have to be a bit crazy and adventurous to take up such an endeavor and chance. I was determined to make it work and now reflecting back - you know what? - it lead me to where I am today, so it did work out!

After this show, working as an engineer, was never the same again. I was so happy when the company told me that they eliminated my job and department on April 20, 2005. It was SIX days from my 10 year anniversary where I would have won a company gold watch. Ah shucks, I missed that by SIX days!. My decision was made for me, right there, right then. It was time for me to fly off to new beginnings and start becoming the artist that I always knew was in me. One of the engineering directors that I worked with closely at the company contacted me two weeks after the "layoffs" and asked if I needed a job at a competing company. I gave my thanks and said "no I don't need another engineer job as I want to explore my art, glass and jewelry designing. If things don't work out, I'll give you a call". I haven't made that call yet and don't anticipate to ever. I even spent time attending the free occupational transition classes that the company offered, knowing full well that corporate life was a thing of the past for me.

The day I got laid off, I contacted my friend Kelly Thompson, owner of the San Gabriel Bead Company, and began shortly to work there part-time as I planned out my next moves. The San Gabriel Bead Company is where my artistic adventures started back in 2001. It was there that I discovered lampworking, metalsmithing, beadweaving... you name it, this is the best bead store around. And with my nice severance package, I was ready to jump right into booking as many "key" shows as possible and the Softflex Sonoma show was the first. While exhibiting there I met Marlene Blessing, editorial director of Beadwork Magazine and Marilyn Koponen, advertising director. Also there, I met the wonderful Gail Crosman-Moore, who invited me to exhibit with her at BABE that year. I gladly accepted. Well, as they say, the rest is history. (I'll tell more stories in future posts!)

I work REALLY hard now, harder than I ever worked in the corporate world as a senior quality assurance engineer, but I'm building something that I can call MY own. My own voice. My own art. My own image of what I want others to see me - see my art as - the stories that I tell through my work - whether I'm a glass artist, a bead artist, a designer, a writer, a metalsmith, a PMC artist, and a whole slew of other persona I will become overtime. I will always challenge myself to be better and better - growing, flourishing, learning and exploring all the intricacies of my creativity - and I hope you see that in my various works and follow me on this wonderful creative journey. Thank you for reading my thoughts, now let's return to the Manning House. (I can be quite verbose even with my writing! Yikes! You have been warned. Read on.)

I can't imagine a better setting for my work than the Manning House Mansion. Be sure to visit the Manning House link to read about this historical landmark, in the center of downtown Tucson and down the street from the Tucson Museum of Art. You must plan a visit to Tucson in the upcoming years during the gem shows in Jan/Feb to see this beautiful and elegant venue. It's really amazing all the work Colleen Concannon, CEO of the Manning House, and her team did to renovate and transform this glorious building to it's old grandeur. No detail was left unattended and the pictures will help tell the story in the next post. Check out the Manning House Beadshow site too for updated news on the upcoming 2009 show!

Ice Princess

Ice Princess
Beadwork Magazine December 2007/January 2008

"Inspired by Victorian lace, designer Lisa Kan created graceful peyote loops to adorn a herringbone necklace. Crystal quartz briolette beads cluster like frozen droplets."

The good folks at Interweave have added the Ice Princess project to their Beading Daily Online Store. This project was originally published in Beadwork Magazine, December 2007/January 2008. Thank you for your email requests to them, which made this project available to those who may have missed out on this project or could not find the back issue at your LBS (local bead store).

The briolettes are from Taj Company. And, as usual, I couldn't stop at one necklace so I made an alternate version in silver with dusty pink charlottes.
Whether pretty in romantic dusty pink or fabulous in glistening gold, I hope you'll love this elegant Victorian lace inspired design. The cubic zircon 4-loop connectors (CO67) and clasp, which perfectly accents this design, are created by Ezel Jewels. And you only need one hank of size 13 charlottes, which you can find from the Garden of Beadin'. A wire armature in the center of the necklace creates structure and a nice drape. I hope you'll enjoy making this necklace and transform yourself to an Ice Princess.

Ice Princess in Dusty Pink

Beadwork Magazine: Feb/Mar 2008

Beadwork Magazine's Feb/Mar 2008 issue has a preview project from my new book, Bead Romantique, (Interweave April 2008). In this issue, you'll get a chance to preview my Deco Collar project (pages 52 to55). This design utilizes an odd count tubular peyote/netting stitch using 15/o and Toho triangle beads. The stitch is similar to but NOT the same start as what some beaders know as the Russian Spiral. Those who are familiar with the Russian Spiral will notice that the start of my tube is slightly different because I had to compensate for the 15/o and triangle bead size differences. I actually didn't even know the existence of the "Russian Spiral" when I was prototyping this necklace. I was just playing around with odd count tubular peyote after referencing Carol Wilcox Well's Creative Bead Weaving book, which noted that the effect would spiral naturally with no need for a step-up. The first 15/o bead after the initial start is treated as the high bead in the peyote round. The stitch can also be perceived by some as an askew "spiral netting" but the technique and beading motion is more like peyote with multiple beads to me. The Russian Spiral is similar but starts out initially through the first 15/o bead whereas my tube starts through the SECOND 15/o bead. By doing so, helps align the triangle beads much better, I think. All this goes to show you that there are always more than one way to achieve a similar look. The things you learn! You can even use the African Helix or Dutch Spiral to get a similar effect. Or why not substitute your favorite tube technique for the collar portion. If you experiment, keep in mind the tube diameter, as it has to fit snuggly into the cubic zircon beadcaps. (click the photos below for a larger view)

Deco Collar with Ametrine Drops

Speaking of the cubic zircon findings, the beadcaps (CA25) and the clasp (CL36) are from my friends at Ezel Jewels. Also, if you have a hard time finding charlottes in your area, you can substitute a Japanese size 15/o bead instead. You can see that I couldn't stop at one necklace, as usual, and made a second version with rhodium over sterling versions of the findings utilizing aquamarines. Both versions I think are equally beautiful. How decadent and beautiful would this necklace be for a formal event? I can even see something like this for a wedding, in different shades of white or cream. Hmmm... something to think about. (click the photos below for a larger view)

If you are having problems finding Toho triangles in your area, you can buy them from my friend Beki Haley at Whimbeads. Beki has a nice selection of many different size and shaped seed beads as well as crystals too!

(Update 03/06/08) These are the colors Beki gave me from her catalog that match well to my sample:

TT11-460F Antique Bronze

TT11-F460A Raspberry Bronze Matte

TT11-F460S Fuchsia \Lime\Gold Iris Matte

Deco Collar with Aquamarine Drops

The earring project, Marguerite Chandelier Earrings, (pages 68 to 69) in this issue also uses Ezel Jewels' floral earring posts (ER4) and is a good match to a cuff bracelet from the book. You'll have to get the book for the seamless cuff, but I promise you'll love it, as it is one of my favorite projects. Again I couldn't stop at only one pair of earrings and have three other color-ways to share with you. (click the photos below for a larger view)

Marguerite Chandelier Earrings

I hope you enjoy these projects. Have fun beading!

Bead Romantique Preview

Thanks to Interweave Press, you can now preview ten of the seventeen projects in my new book. Get a first peak to see what is in store for you.

I wanted to make a note that this book was written with the concept that you already know what a seed bead is and the general tools necessary for beadweaving. We did not spend a lot of pages showing you pretty photos of seed beads and tools as most beading books already cover this area. We felt we would have wasted a lot of pages that would otherwise been better served in detailing the projects instead. The book is all about progressing your beadweaving from advanced beginner forward, challenging you every step of the way.

By no means is this an all inclusive encyclopedia of beading techniques. There are many ways to achieve similar looks also, using different beading methods. There are reasons why I selected a respective stitch to achieve my design. I challenged myself to breakdown the steps so that they would be understandable even to a beginning beader. The book is how I bead not the only way to bead. All in all, I hope you enjoy the projects and the romantic theme.

There are a number of quick projects but don't expect to finish an elaborate project within a day or even a weekend. Beadweaving is about the process and the techniques. Heirloom pieces do not result from rushing to the finish line. Quality work takes time and attention to even small details. The end result will make you a proud "parent" of a job well done as you garner much deserved accolades and compliments.

I actually had proposed thirty projects for the book but due to space availability (144 pages) we could only fit seventeen. The Deco Collar, shown on the second page of the preview, is the book teaser project featured in the upcoming Feb/Mar 2008 Beadwork Magazine issue. I'll write more about the Deco Collar in a future post.