Designed for the novice as well as the experienced hand beader, this guide shows crafters exactly how to emulate the artisans of the past. Sixteen beautiful handbag projects are presented with easy-to-follow steps including full descriptions of stitching techniques for: cup sequins, bugle beads, seed beads, rhinestones, bricking, triple seeds, loop encrusting, sequin flowers, beaded loops, triple seed loop encrusting, loose loop fringing, loop borders, loop ended fringing, beading on a ring frame, and more.

Beadwork is the art or craft of attaching beads by stringing them with a sewing needle or beading needle and thread or thin wire or sewing them to cloth. Beads come in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes. Beads are used to create jewelry or other articles of personal adornment; they are also used in wall hangings and sculptures and many other artworks. Beadwork techniques are broadly divided into loom and off-loom weaving, stringing, bead embroidery, bead crochet, bead knitting, and bead tatting. Beaded purse handles and bags are popularly used for beadwork. Your purse handles are like the icing on the cake. It can either make or break your bag. Sure you can use a conventional strap...if you want a conventional look with conventional returns. But if you are ready to spice up your bag; whether it's a clutch, tote, evening bag, cigar box, briefcase, or structured purse you can benefit from this book: -What simple adjustments can improve the look of my handbag? -How do I increase the value of my purse without breaking the bank? -What type of beads do I need to use on wireframes? -Where can I purchase my beads and wireframes from? -Are there different kinds of wireframes for varying purse styles? -How do I adjust my beads for a great fit? -Can hand-crafted beads work on my handles? -Do I need special tools to create an amazing handle? -Do I have to be a rocket scientist to make this work?

"By applying the time-honoured techniques and traditions of Japanese embroidery, beautiful beaded motifs are brought to life. Discover a whole new world of beading through the pages of this superb book which includes detailed step-by-step diagrams, full descriptions of the techniques involved and fabulous photography. Nine stunning projects are included ranging from simple beginner designs to a sumptuous evening bag."--

Create breath-taking beaded amulet pouches from 16 lush designs and crisp illustrated instructions.

Learn how to make your own vintage-style beaded bags, purses and other beaded accessories. When these designs were originally created, beaded bags were all the rage. It was the Flapper era... The Roaring Twenties. No Thoroughly Modern Girl would have dreamed of going out on the town without bringing along a shimmering beaded bag to hold her personal items. Her outfit just wouldn't be complete without it. Even now... in the 21st Century... A beaded bag makes the perfect accessory when today's Thoroughly Modern Woman goes out for an evening's entertainment. If you've ever tried to locate original beaded items from the 1920s & '30s, you know just how hard it can be to find bags and purses that are still intact... Let alone ones that are still durable enough to be used. And when you do find one in good shape, the asking price is usually SKY HIGH! But what if you could make your own? And what if your newly-made beaded creations could look EXACTLY LIKE THE ORIGINALS? On these pages you'll find a collection of original patterns from the 1920s for making beaded bags, purses and other beaded accessories. This book includes complete step-by-step instructions for more than 35 different beaded projects... beaded purses, pouches, belts and more... utilizing techniques such as beaded knitting, beaded crocheting and loom beading. Each project is illustrated in full-color so you can see exactly what your finished product will look like. And each set of instructions includes a complete list of all the tools and materials you'll need for its creation.

The author has spent many years collecting antique beaded purses and recording their patterns in chart form. Twenty purses from her collection of designs old and new are featured in this unique book. Many are illustrated in colour