Creating Lampwork Beads for Jewelry

by Karen Leonardo

Book Overview

CREATE - DESIGN - WEAR From tiny glass beads and pendants to rings and necklaces, Creating Lampwork Beads for Jewelry teaches you how to create them all. Lampwork artist Karen J. Leonardo and her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0896895491
• ISBN13: 9780896895492
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Krause Publications
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.4" x 10.8"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Lampwork Instruction!

This is an excellent book loaded with the best artists sharing their "secrets" and wisdom. I finally understand the techniques that Sue Booth and others have tried to share with me through e-mail and am making real strides in my own bead making. This is not just another bead book. It is inspirational and it's THE source for learning techniques that the "pros" use. If I could only have one bead book to use, this would be it!

Fab book, sure to inspire

Ok I'm a real reader of books before I set up any hobby but I wish I'd got this one to start with. The book takes you in a really readable manner from setting up a studio to making the beads to making the beads into jewellery. There are a number of projects in here and eack bead is photographed in the stages of making and then in the final section made up into a final jewleery piece. It also deals with making a few components such as a toggle clasp and making a PMC bead too. A nice list of supplies and toolbox equipment needed is useful and the level of expertise needed is helpful too. It covers bead making in a project way and not the "here's how to make a round bead, now a flowerbead, now use frit..." My favourite is the sheep bead project and the more complex "Autumn Glow" bead. I'm happy to see the lack of history of glass beads and pleased to see the dive straight into the setting up the workshop. 16 different beads with different techniques are covered, I'm sure it will inspire many lampworkers. Buy it then enjoy making beads...

Exciting and creative lampworking and jewelry design book!

I have enjoyed Karen Leonardo's beads when viewing them online. She is very experienced and well known. She creates lovely work! However, I had no idea she was multitalented and could write books! Creating Lampwork Beads for Jewelry is a major and fascinating undertaking, and a great addition to anyone's lampwork and jewelry design library.There is so much packed into this book it is wonderful! Techniques, tips,all sorts of things, from basics to the most sophisticated. After explaining the tools required to set up your own bead making studio, the author gathers together a collection of talented bead artists. They demonstrate, in individual projects, the techniques of creating beads with either soft or borosilicate glass. These projects by the bead artists progress from beginning ones, to more complicated, to most complicated. I would consider this "section one". It is a book in itself! However, as if this weren't enough, there is a second, fabulous section to this book! This section begins with a description of a studio for a jewelry designer and what is required, tool-wise, for working with beads and making your own jewelry. After that comes a full section where talented jewelry designers create art pieces with the beads shown in the first part of the book. This was particularly fascinating to me, as I am a jewelry designer and love to see what other people are making with cool beads (which these beads are!). They make some fantastic necklaces, bracelets, pins and wireworked items. Precious metal clay is used, and there is even a chain maille piece. My favorite piece is the "Where's the Party necklace", designed by Cary K.Martin, using Cathy Lybarger's beads. I wish I owned it! I love it! It conveys exactly what the title says! Totally fun and colorful! I also loved the chic piece using the author's own beads. This is a sultry number in black and silver designed by Karen herself. As you can see, there is something for everyone. The jewelry designers had different styles and so did the bead artists. How super and also educational to see what everyone came up with! I found this book extremely inspirational. I do not make lampwork beads, but I do know a lot about them and I enjoyed reading the first part. I collect lampwork to keep or to use in my designs, and she has some of the best bead artists in her book. Who isn't familiar with Cathy Lybarger, Kristen Child, Karen and her husband Bob of course, Lezlie Belanger, and more? It is delightful to see the process from initial glass to finished bead, and then the process from beginning of the jewelry design to finished beautiful jewlery piece! I totally recommend this book!

Wonderful instructions for a very reasonable price!!

A book that is packed full of how-to information on soft glass bead making, step-by-step instructions and wonderful pictures! In addition to the step by step instructions for many different techniques in bead making there is a wealth of information covering many different jewelery making techniques, making it possible to create beautiful and unique jewelry designs. Great information and inspiration for anyone interested in jewelry making, even if you never plan to create your own lampwork beads. and a valuable resource for the lampwork bead maker ...all for a very reasonable price!!

Add this to your collection

I preordered this book and have enjoyed looking through it. I love the lily pad bead and made a beautiful one on my 4th try. The book takes you step by step through each bead process and provides tips along the way. I haven't begun to explore all the ideas, but know already that it was a very smart purchase.