Below are brief descriptions of the classes and lectures I offer.
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In this one-day class, we will explore all of the basic stitches used in bead embroidery.
Students will go home with a sampler containing lots of bead embroidery stitches; hand-outs
with information about beads, threads, and embroidery techniques; and many fun new ideas to
try at home. A kit with the sampler base, beads, needles, and thread will be provided at the beginning of class. All you need to bring are some scissors for cutting thread and a desire
to learn some new ways to liven up quilts, garments, and just about anything made of fabric.
Class: “Beading in a Big Way”
Have you ever wanted to sew larger beads or buttons onto your quilts, but you weren’t sure
how to make them look both great and secure? This ½ day class covers many of the ways to incorporate larger beads, buttons, and cabochons ino your quilts and bead embroideries. You
will go home with a sampler displaying a variety of techniques for beautifully and securely attaching larger beads and buttons to quilts or other fabric items. Beginning Bead
Embellishment class or prior experience with bead embroidery helpful but not required.
Class: “Beading on the Edge”
This ½ day class is a fun exploration of the many ways to use beads along the edges of your quilts, garments, or other cloth items. In it you’ll learn several edging stitches as well as a
variety of fringe techniques by creating a sampler for you to take home for future reference
and inspiration. Beginning Bead Embellishment class or prior experience with bead
embroidery helpful but not required.
Class: “Bead Embroidered Ornaments”
In this one-day class we explore both simple and more complex bead embroidery techniques while creating a beautiful beaded ornament or adornment for your own home or as a gift for someone special. Kits are provided containing the ornate fabric base for the ornaments, as well as coordinated beads and thread. No prior bead embroidery experience is necessary. However, students who have taken the “Beginning Bead Embellishment” class or have some experience with bead embroidery will learn additional techniques in this fun class. Two new ornament designs are created each year, and so students can take this class more than once to learn new techniques and create new ornaments each time.
Lecture & Slide Show: “Bead Without Ceasing”
In this lecture and slide show I briefly describe my background in quilt making prior to discovering beadwork. Then the main portion of the lecture focuses on my passion for beads
and the many ways I have explored the use of beads on quilts to add color, texture, dimension,
and life to each piece. I also provide a brief history of beads and their evolution as a medium for creative expression from tens of thousands of years ago through today. This lecture includes the display of some of my quilts and smaller framed work and is about 1 hour in length, including time for Q&A with the audience.
Lecture & Slide Show: “Continuous Threads”
This is a lecture and slide show about my development as a quilt artist with images of the many art quilts and embroideries I've made. I bring actual quilts and framed small works for display.
In addition to talking about inspiration, the various techniques I use, and information about
each piece individually, this lecture focuses on the many ways that all of our lives feed into
our creative process and are the basis behind the inspiration for our work as quilt makers.
This lecture is about 1 hour in length, including time for Q&A with the audience.
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