Lenka's Way of LaceBlack Chantilly Pendants
Posted on February 22, 2014
Traditional Chantilly lace designs are the embodiment of delicacy, refinement and beauty. Their floral compositions offer an endless inspiration. I love Chantilly, it is my favourite lace. It always invites me to create. Projected into the three-dimensional space, the flowers and bouquets become alive in pendants, rings and necklaces. A difficult technique to master in metal, Chantilly also constantly challenges my skills and my patience. Each piece is a long journey, and at the end there is no better reward than to see how Chantilly lace jewellery accentuates the beauty of women who wear it.
Material: Black enamelled copper, swarovski crystals
Black Chantilly Pendants
Photography: Kenji Nagai
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Silver Chantilly Necklace
Posted on February 22, 2014
Traditional Chantilly lace designs are the embodiment of delicacy, refinement and beauty. Their floral compositions offer an endless inspiration. I love Chantilly, it is my favourite lace. It always invites me to create. Projected into the three-dimensional space, the flowers and bouquets become alive in pendants, rings and necklaces. A difficult technique to master in metal, Chantilly also constantly challenges my skills and my patience. Each piece is a long journey, and at the end there is no better reward than to see how Chantilly lace jewellery accentuates the beauty of women who wear it.
Material: Sterling silver with swarovski crystals
Silver Chantilly Necklace
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Genoese Scallop Large Necklace
Posted on February 22, 2014
Genoese Scallop Collection is inspired by bold and beautiful patterns of the Genoese laces.
Lace made in Genoa was very popular in the Renaissance fashion. Wide scalloped patterns were firmly rooted in a sacred geometry of the early Renaissance, which gave them a mysterious strength and rare beauty. This was lace of choice for the famous standing and falling collars that supported many royal heads of the European courts of the 17th century.
Genoese lace is uniquely suited for original lace jewellery. The patterns, which did not loose any of their magic and still evoke a regal connection, bestow the quality of one-of-a-kind heirloom.
Material: Fine silver with garnet beads
Genoese Scallop Large Necklace
In private lace collection.
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Venetian Necklaces
Posted on February 22, 2014
Venetian Plaited Lace is one of the earliest handmade bobbin lace techniques, with origins dating back to the 16th century. Surviving books of patterns document early stages of the craft, and show the ingenuity of the first designers. With just a few pairs of bobbins they were able to create lace edgings of impressive variety and lasting beauty.
“Creative spirit is inherent in lace techniques – in that respect, lace is truly a daughter of the Renaissance.”
Venetian lace is an ideal technique for metal medium. Original patterns can be used as they are, without any adjustment. They are suitable for beginners, but they offer a lot of inspiration to the advanced lacemakers as well. We are lucky to have access to a wonderful book of early Venetian lace patterns, “Le Pompe”, which was originally published in Venice in year 1559 (facsimile with introduction by Santina M. Levey, technical section by Patricia C. Payne, drawings by Bridget M. Cook, 1983). Many patterns for my necklaces come from there.
Venetian Spires Necklace
Material: Fine silver with shell beads, silk ribbon
Venetian Necklace
Venetian Choker
Material: Blue-enamelled copper, glass seed beads, silk ribbon
Venetian Choker
Photography: Kenji Nagai
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Black Chantilly Mask
Posted on February 22, 2014
Traditional Chantilly lace designs are the embodiment of delicacy, refinement and beauty. Black, subtly shaded, adds sensuality. It is a perfect lace for masks.
Material: Enamelled copper
Black Chantilly Mask
Photography: Kenji Nagai
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Jewel in the Lotus
Posted on February 12, 2014
Transparent Lace Sculpture
Materials: Bronze and copper (patinated, enamelled or gold plated) with turquoise and carnelian
Techniques: Milanese braids, free-form lace, beading, wire wrapping
65cm x 65cm x 18cm
Copyright © 2014 Lenka Suchanek. All rights reserved.
Bobbin Lace Technique
Posted on February 12, 2014
Bobbin Lace is an off-loom weaving technique worked on a lacemaking pillow. Threads (wires), each wound on its own bobbin, are crossed and twisted in a specific sequence to create open weave patterns. Work is secured by pins, which serve mainly as an anchor points for tensioning, and are removed when no longer needed. Finished lace made in wire is strong and sturdy and can be mounted flat on a background or shaped into three-dimensional forms. Basic steps of the process are:
- Drawing and drafting the patterns
- Preparing a pricking (work template)
- Winding thread (wire) on bobbins
- Making lace
- Finishing (using metalworking techniques)
