THE ART OF BEADWORK
A week of beading
This hands-on Workshop is for bead workers of all skill levels. Beginners will learn the
basics of a variety of techniques, including loom weaving, appliqué, peyote stitch and stone
setting. Each student will begin a small project of their own design using each technique and will
learn the necessary skills of finishing enabling them to complete the projects on their own.
Intermediate and advanced students can choose to do a small project in each technique, or
spend the week working on a more complex piece.
DAY ONE
Loom-Woven Beadwork:
1. Designing for the loom
Participants will explore the possibilities and limitations of designing for loom
weaving, and will learn how to transfer a design to graph paper. Both standard and
Bead graph paper will be used.
2. Shaping, increasing and decreasing
3. Finishing technique
DAY TWO
Peyote Stitch:
1. Beginning techniques
Students will learn both flat and tubular peyote using both an even number and an
odd number of beads.
2. Increasing and decreasing
3. Turning corners and shaping
4. Designing with graph paper.
Graphing for peyote stitch is different from loom weaving. Participants will work
with both standard and bead graph paper.
DAY THREE
Appliqué:
1. Bead embroidery on fabric
Bead embroidery can be used to embellish fabric that is plain or printed. Students
will translate basic embroidery stitches into beadwork.
2. Beadwork on leather
3. Edgings, trims and fringes
4. Setting stones with an appliqué base.
DAY FOUR
Setting Stones with Peyote Stitch:
1. The two-part bezel
This technique is used for setting a stone on another piece of beadwork.
2. The wrapped bezel
This advanced technique requires a thorough understanding of peyote and is great
for setting shaped stones.
DAY FIVE
Finishing and Combining Techniques:
1. Fringe
2. Clasps and closures
3. Combining techniques
Any of the techniques learned during the week can be combined, and the unique
character of each style, when combined with another, can create interesting combinations of
texture and flow in a design.
Materials:
Participants are welcome to bring their own materials or a package will be available that
will include ten colors of size 11° and two colors of size 15° beads, size 13 bead needles, one
glover needle (for leather), leather, thread and beading graph paper. The cost for this is
$60.00.
Stones will be available to purchase separately and prices vary.
TO BE PROVIDED BY EACH STUDENT
Bead loom (those little metal ones don’t work very well)
Fabric for appliqué
Small needle nose pliers (with teeth)
Sharp scissors
Bee’s wax
Color pencils
Sketchbook or drawing pad
Magnifiers (if needed)
Standard graph paper