Classes Archive 2010 - 2018



KISA LARIAT (Full-Day)

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Cubic right angle weave
You'll want to make a Kisa Lariat to go with each outfit as it's such a versatile and wearable piece. The pendants at each end stitch up quickly with their sparkly chatons and variety of beads in different colours and finishes. The delicate yet rich chain stitches up quite quickly so you won't be tempted to stop stitching when it's still too short.

Materials

  • SS34 chatons
  • Japanese size 11º seed beads
  • Japanese size 11º seed beads
  • 6mm fie-polished beads
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 3mm magatamas
  • 6x10mm side-drilled faceted drops
  • Beading needle
  • Beading thread



ASTER  (Full-Day)

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: herringbone stitch, peyote stitch
Bezel a rivoli with size 11º seed beads then break out the size 15ºs and start embellishing. Two precise layers of herringbone stitch fan out from the rivoli creating a mesmerising frame for this stunning component which may be made into a brooch or a pendant or could be the focal of a necklace.  A clever bail is hidden on the back of the pendant so as not to detract from its perfect symmetry.

For the same effect as the sample, choose two size 15ºs in lighter and darker hues of the same colour, and a third size 15ºs which accents, rather than contrasts. The size 11ºs can be a deeper, duller tone or a sparkling accent.

Materials
  • Toho size 11º seed beads
  • Japanese size 15º seed beads, two or three colours
  • 14mm rivoli
  • Needle
  • Thread




DOX

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: cubic right angle weave
Use round seed beads and Czech Mates two-hole triangles to stitch squares which are connected to form a cube which looks kinda round.
This beaded bead is almost two inches in diameter and hold its shape quite well even with less than crazy firm thread tension. Each square is fairly straightforward and presents plenty of opportunities to play with colour.
Choose a single colour for the triangles, or choose three. I like to coordinate the magatamas with the triangles that form the vertices of the cube (the ones in groups of three like a propeller), and also to choose very similar colours for the main size 11º and size 15º beads but feel free to be wild and choose all different colours for everything!

String this by passing beading wire or actual wire through two opposing groups of four triangle beads.

Materials
  • Toho size 11º seed beads, main colour and accent colour
  • Toho size 15º seed beads
  • 3mm magatamas
  • Czech Mates two-hole triangles (96  if all one colour, or 24 of the colour that is next to the magatamas, 24 of the colour at the vertices, 48 of the other colour)
  • Beading needle
  • Thread




ALMA BEADED BEAD

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: right angle weave, peyote stitch

Bezel a rivoli quickly and easily with fire-polished beads and seed beads. Do it again. And again. Keep on doing it until you have six of them forming a cubic beaded bead. Add stiffening accents to each corner, thread a head pin and bail or large jump ring diagonally corner-to-corner, and this sparkly pendant is ready to wear on your favourite chain.
The bezelling technique also makes great earrings!

Materials
  • Toho size 11 seed beads
  • Toho size 15 seed beads
  • 3mm magatamas
  • 3mm fire-polished beads (48)
  • 4mm fire-polished beads (40)
  • 12mm rivoli (6)
  • 1.5” head pin
  • Bail or large jump ring
  • Needle
  • Thread



BOULAY CHAIN

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: cubic right angle weave

Use fire-polished rondelles and pinch beads to make a richly-textured chain suitable for a bracelet or necklace - or use a single repeat for an earring.
Choose size 11s that contrast well with the size 8s and size 15s and magatamas, all of which could be the same colour if desired. Ensure that the combination of needle and thread allow multiple (three or four) passes through the size 11s.

Each repeat measures about an inch and requires one rondelle and eight pinch beads. A single strand of rondelles (usually 25 per strand) is enough for a long necklace or a shorter necklace and bracelet. A single strand of pinch beads (usually 50 per strand) is enough for a short bracelet for a small wrist; a larger bracelet or necklace will require multiple strands.

Materials
  • Toho size 11 seed beads
  • Japanese size 15 seed beads
  • Japanese size 8 seed beads
  • 3mm magatamas
  • 6x9mm Czech fire-polished rondelles
  • Pinch beads
  • Clasp
  • Beading needle
  • Thread




TIPTOE

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Herringbone stitch

Weave a focal bead using fire-polished beads and seed beads, and begin working in herringbone stitch off each end of the focal.  To make the herringbone stitch interesting, use increases and decreases and more colours and picots and fire-polished beads, resulting in a lively multicoloured necklace.

Choose the size 15s to contrast with all of the size 11s
Choose the 4mm beads to contrast with the size 11s and the 6mm beads
Choose the size 11s either in different finishes of a similar colour for a subtle monochromatic necklace, or in graduated colours, or in a pair of highly contrasting colours, or in two or more coordinating colours.


Materials
  • Japanese size 11 seed beads, two or more colours
  • Japanese size 15 seed beads
  • 3mm fire-polished beads (6)
  • 4mm fire-polished beads (about 100, more for a longer necklace)
  • 6mm fire-polished beads (9)
  • Clasp
  • Needle
  • Thread




MOKKAMOKKA

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Netting
You don’t have to be an advanced beader to create this tactile necklace (or bracelet, or earrings if you prefer) as its undulating shape results simply from different bead counts, each motif punctuated with teardrop beads. Use your most complex iridescent beads for the fringe for a luxurious finish, pairing them with a solid version of the same colour - this makes it easier to find your place in the stitching.

Note that a necklace uses a prodigious amount of beads so you can do any one of the following:
  • Choose two or more different colours and alternate them for each motif
  • Choose up to six shades of a single colour to make light-to-dark-to light motifs as shown above
  • Choose up to seven (four is adequate) shades of a single colour to make a richer, more complex colour as a "bead soup" for the motifs 

Materials
  • Czech or Japanese size 11 (or size 15) seed beads
  • 4x6mm Czech teardrop beads
  • Clasp for necklace or bracelet or ear wires for earrings
  • Needle
  • Thread


ISTINA (Full-Day)

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Cubic Right Angle Weave


A single teardrop-shaped latticework supporting a rivoli caged in seed beads makes an elegant pendant; three such motifs form a stunning statement necklace. Right angle weave with some netting creates a fast and secure bezel for the rivoli, while cubic right angle weave curves and joins to form the teardrop shape. This design uses a single colour of size 11s so you should be very comfortable stitching and joining cubic right angle weave without the added clues of a second colour in the stitching.
Materials
  • 14mm rivolis (3)
  • Japanese size 15 seed beads
  • Japanese size 11 seed beads
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • Needle
  • Thread





LATTICINA

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: right angle weave, peyote stitch, netting
Use right angle weave, peyote stitch and netting to make this delicate chain that can be used to make long, swingy earrings, a fresh bracelet or a dramatic collar-style necklace. The motifs that make up the chain are symmetric top-to-bottom as well as side-to-side, so joining one to another in either direction is easy!

When choosing your three seed bead colours, consider the following:
   - light, bright, opaque colours pop to the forefront
   - matte silver-lined colours recede if dark, pop if light or bright
   - dark, iridescent, luster-finish and silver-lined colours recede

I chose the lightest colour for the centre of the motif, a dark metallic rainbow finish for the outline, and a shiny silver-lined medium shade for the accent around the edges. Transparent or silver-lined magatamas will provide a luminous, dimensional effect.

Materials
  • Japanese size 11 seed beads in three colours
  • Japanese small magatamas
  • Clasp or ear wires
  • Needle
  • Thread



PETUNIA
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Cubic right angle weave
Pinch beads are adorable right? And winter's cold and dull? Use your cubic right angle weave skills with your pinch beads and coordinating fire-polished beads, seed beads and fringe beads to make a necklace or bracelet to bring a burst of spring to your wrist or neck. 
Materials
  • Japanese size 11 seed beads
  • Japanese fringe beads 
  • 8mm fire-polished beads
  • Pinch beads (about 4 strands for a necklace)
  • Needle
  • Thread




SPIKE EARRINGS

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Peyote stitch

So you've been making necklaces and pendants with spike bead but have no coordinating earrings? No worries, these fit the bill and can be made in an evening.
Materials
  • Japanese size 11 seed beads in two colours
  • Japanese size 15 seed beads 
  • 4mm fire-polished beads OR 4x6mm fire-polished beads OR 5x7mm fire-polished drop beads
  • 12x18mm spike beads
  • Ear wires - or bring 20 gauge wire and tools and we'll make the ear wires
  • Needle
  • Thread



CAPSEL
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Herringbone stitch

Use Twins or Superduos and seed beads for this fast and fun variation on herringbone stitch. The design lends itself well to using multiple colours (as many as you like), or a single colour of seed beads - you choose!



Materials
  • Japanese size 11 seed beads in one or more colours
  • Twin beads or Superduos
  • Needle
  • Thread
  • Clasp




PITSI


Skill Level: Intermediate

 Prerequisites: Any beadweaving; Right Angle Weave helpful
Use a variety of shaped seed beads to frame and embellish a rivoli, resulting in a beautifully intricate pendant. You will use twin beads to make the fastest and easiest bezel ever, use them some more of them to extend the flange, and use small seed beads, magatamas and farfalle to stiffen and decorate the frame. 
Materials:
  • 14mm rivoli
  • Size 15 seed beads
  • Small magatamas
  • Farfalle/berry beads/peanut beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • Large closed jump ring
  • Your favourite beading thread 
  • Your favourite beading needle 



KALATA
Skill Level: Advanced beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisites: Any bead weaving; Right Angle Weave helpful
Do you have a whole bunch of these gorgeous briolette beads with no idea how to incorporate them into your beadwork? No problem, this project will set you straight. Start with a 10mm bead (glass, gemstone, faceted, whatever), add a bit of peyote, a bit of netting and some other odds and ends, and you’ll end up with a delightfully dimensional pendant that you’ll probably finish in the allotted class time.
Materials

  • 11x12mm briolettes
  • Japanese size 11 seed beads
  • Japanese size 15 seed beads
  • Japanese fringe beads
  • 10mm round bead
  • Needle
  • Thread

Note
Choose your needle and thread such that the size 15º seed beads can accommodate thread three times through them. Depending on the colour (different colours have slightly different sizes of bead holes), a size 12 needle with doubled Nymo B will be fine.








GRECO

Skill Level: Advanced beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisites: Peyote stitch

Lose all dignity and embrace the whimsical with this adorable little pitcher pendant, or if you prefer, a two-handled urn.
Use your peyote skills with a smidgen of right angle weave and herringbone and LOTS of tension, add a few fire-polished beads and end up with an adorable little pitcher or urn!

Materials

  • Japanese size 11 seed beads
  • Japanese size 15 seed beads
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • Your favourite beading needle
  • Your favourite beading thread




ZILLA

Skill Level: Advanced beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisites: Peyote stitch


Use your peyote skills to make these pretty little open stars. Hang them from ear wires, connect them to form a  bracelet, or string them in a necklace - either way, they’ll add sparkle to your day!

Materials

  • Size 11 seed beads in as many colours as desired (I used three)
  • Your favourite beading needle
  • Your favourite beading thread



LUSTRO

Skill Level: Advanced beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisites: Peyote stitch

Sparkly fun! Lovely oval crystal stones are surrounded by seed beads, fire-polished beads and fringe beads for an elongated shape that somehow reminds me of the Evil Queen's magic mirror from Snow White.


The back's pretty too.


Materials

  • Japanese size 11 seed beads 
  • Japanese size 15 seed beads 
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • Japanese fringe beads
  • Smallish side-drilled drop or briolette
  • 18x15mm Swarovski stone
  • Your favourite beading needle
  • Your favourite beading thread




LUCIDITY CHAIN

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Any bead weaving; Right Angle Weave helpful

Found your marbles? Perfectly sane? Here’s the perfect project!

Cover a 12mm/0.5” marble with an overlay of seed beads, fire-polished beads (and optionally fringe beads too) for a fun little beaded accent in a necklace. Use netting and peyote stitch to capture the marble, switching to right angle weave for the sections between each marble and the rest of the necklace.  

I used five marbles in my necklace, though you could certainly use more for a longer necklace, but do bear in mind that too many may get too heavy!

Materials

  • Japanese size 11 beads in 3 colours
  • Japanese size 15 seed beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • Japanese fringe beads (optional, recommended)
  • 1/2” glass marble(s)
  • Your favourite beading needle
  • Your favourite beading thread





DAGGER FLOWER

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Any bead weaving; Right Angle Weave helpful

Love daggers? Can’t figure out how best to use them? Try this!

Choose a Swarovski rivoli, some tiny daggers, one or two colours of large daggers, and with an assortment of seed beads and fire-polished make this gorgeous floral pendant.  You should be comfortable with right angle weave and have good thread control, as the daggers can be tricky. Tight tension for once is not a prerequisite for the bulk of this project.

Materials

  • Japanese size 8 seed beads in 1 or 2 colours
  • Japanese size 11 seed beads
  • Japanese size 15 seed beads (only seen on the back of the pendant)
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 14mm Swarovski rivoli
  • Tiny daggers
  • Full-size daggers in 1 or 2 colours - use patterned daggers for the back layer
  • Large closed jump ring
  • Your favourite beading needle
  • Your favourite beading thread




LUCIDITY LARIAT or PENDANT

Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Any bead weaving; Peyote and Herringbone helpful

Found your marbles? Perfectly sane? Here’s the perfect project!

Cover a 12mm/0.5” marble with an overlay of seed beads, fire-polished beads (and optionally fringe beads too) for a fun little dangle that does dual duty as a pendant or as the ends of a lariat. Use netting and peyote stitch to capture the marble, and use peyote for the pendant bail and base of the lariat, switching to herringbone for the lariat chain. 



I’ve chosen three toning seed bead colours in three different finishes in light, medium and dark, but there’s no reason to not go wild and choose vivid contrasts.

Materials

  • Japanese size 11 beads in 3 colours
  • Japanese size 15 seed beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • 3mm fire-polished beads 
  • Japanese fringe beads (optional)
  • 1/2” glass marble(s)
  • Your favourite beading needle
  • Your favourite beading thread





BLOSSOMS


Use circular peyote stitch to make delicately shaped blossoms. Suspend them from earwires as earrings, or attach them to form a necklace or bracelet.

Materials

  • Size 11 seed beads in 4 colours: light (main), medium, dark, leaf
  • Small daisy spacer
  • Small accent beads (optional)
  • Ear wires
  • Your favourite beading needle
  • Your favourite beading thread

Prerequisite: Circular peyote stitch
Skill Level: Intermediate




ROYAL RING

Use tubular right angle weave to make a floppy slider ring that firms up beautifully with its embellishment of rondelles, seed beads and small magatamas or fringe beads or farfalle. Make one, make ten and slide them on your necklace for some fabulous fidgeting (you do fidget with your jewellery, don’t you?)

Materials

  • Size 11 seed beads in 2 or more colours
  • Size 15 seed beads
  • 3x5mm rondelles
  • Small magatamas
  • OR
  • 2x4mm farfalle beads
  • OR
  • Fringe beads
  • Your favourite beading needle
  • Your favourite beading thread

Prerequisite: Right angle weave
Skill Level: Intermediate





BAROKIA





These vintage-inspired components will be among your most versatile tools. Combine them with purchased metal or stone rings or your own beaded rings for a fluid necklace or bracelet.  Use one as an elegant bail for a teardrop-shaped focal bead.   Work a shorter variation for sweet little earrings.




Materials

  • Size 11 seed beads in 2 colours, main colour and accent colour
  • 5x8mm or 6x9mm rondelles
  • Fringe beads
  • Your favourite beading needle
  • Your favourite beading thread

Prerequisite: Herringbone
Skill Level: Intermediate









SLINKTI


Use very tight tension and a variety of bead sizes to form a wonderful spiral necklace enhancer, gorgeously finished with a rivoli fob at each end.  This class opens a whole host of design possibilities for you: use the spiral technique to make a lariat that twists to fasten, or a dramatic bracelet; use the bezelling technique for the rivoli to make earrings, a necklace or bracelet; or use the bezelled rivoli in its cone to make a statement ring. Use your most expensive 11ºs that you’ve been saving for something special, beause this is it! (It also won’t use up too many of them).



Materials



  • 2x12mm rivolis
  • Size 15 seed beads
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • Size 11 or smaller needle (10 is too big)
  • Your favourite beading thread



Prerequisite: Right angle weave, tubular herringbone stitch, netting

Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced





SIMONA

Get out those wild daggers that you just had to have and now can’t figure out how to use. And those weird little farfalle beads to that were too odd to pass up.  Use netting with a variety of beads to make a necklace to show off those gorgeous daggers. 

I used Czech size 11ºs in my necklace because I like their delicacy, but you can use Japanese seed beads if you prefer. I would suggest matching the second (accent) size 11 colour to the farfalle beads, and make sure  there’s plenty of contrast with your main colour seed beads for maximum effect. We will also discuss using the same technique to make a matching wide cuff.

Materials

  • Size 11 seed beads in 2 colours, main colour and accent colour
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 5x16mm dagger beads
  • 3x11mm dagger beads OR 4x6mm drops
  • Small magatamas
  • 2x4mm farfalle beads
  • Your favourite beading needle
  • Your favourite beading thread

Prerequisite: Netting
Skill Level: Intermediate






KELL

This intricate, bell-shaped pendant is centred around long oval or rice-shaped beads and an assortment of fire-polished and seed beads in various sizes. The substructure is right angle weave, using the larger beads, while the smaller beads are used both for embellishment as well as to give the pendant structure and stability. There is some wiggle room in the size of the long oval beads (we can adjust seed bead counts to compensate for a slight difference), but they can be faceted or smooth, as long as they do taper at both ends and are not too fat in the middle. I prefer the look of a wirework bail, but I will discuss a seed beaded bail as well.




Materials

  • 8x17mm rice-shaped beads (approximately)
  • Size 15 seed beads
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • Japanese fringe beads (not magatamas)
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • 6mm fire-polished beads
  • 8mm fire-polished beads
  • 3x4mm rondelles (optional)
  • Head pin or eye pin or wire
  • Large closed [jump] ring

Prerequisite: Right angle weave, netting
Skill Level: Intermediate




SEKLA


Sometimes you’re in the mood for earrings or a pendant, sometimes for a whole necklace or bracelet. Whatever your mood, this class will satisfy it. We will complete one unit of one of the two variants of the component, and finish it off to make an earring or beaded bead, sew a bail to make it into a pendant, or start the chain that will lead to the next component for a necklace or bracelet.

One variant uses larger rondelles; the other uses slightly smaller rondelles.

This is based on right angle weave and netting, and although you don’t need to be proficient in either stitch, you should be at least an intermediate seed beader with good needle and thread skills.

Materials

  • 6x9mm rondelles OR 5x7mm rondelles OR both
  • Japanese size 11 seed beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • Japanese fringe beads (not magatamas)
  • 4mm fire-polished beads

Prerequisite: Right angle weave, netting
Skill Level: Intermediate




SKWER


This is one of the most versatile components you’ll ever make. For those who prefer an intricate, textural piece, continue on to the end - but if you want something sparer, just don’t add the seed bead embellishments. Use this as a pendant, hung straight as a square, or at an angle for the look of a diamond. Make a pair into earrings. Join them along their straight edges to form a substantial cuff, or point-to-point for a lighter look or for a necklace. Or alternate embellished and unembellished units in yet another variation. 

What variation will YOU choose?


Materials

  • Japanese fringe beads (not magatamas)
  • Size 15 seed beads
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 6mm fire-polished beads
  • 10mm fire-polished beads
  • Needle
  • Thread

Prerequisites: Peyote
Skill Level: Intermediate




RARITY

Learn an easy-to-grok way of doing tubular right angle weave, using it to make a lusciously undulating and fluid rope with jewelled accents. Use a clasp to close, or make your own toggle-and-bar closure using RAW.  The beaded bead accents can also be made in isolation (in other words: beaded beads), not necessarily as part of a rope, although this is what we will do in class.
Materials

  • Size 15 seed beads
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • Japanese fringe beads (not magatamas)
  • 3mm fire-polished beads or 3x4mm rondelles
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • 6mm fire-polished beads
  • Needle
  • Thread
  • Clasp (optional)

Prerequisites: Any beadweaving, RAW a plus
Skill Level: Intermediate


GARLAND 
These two-layer circular components are great for colour experimentation or using up small amounts of left-overs, and make a delightfully dimensional statement without much weight, and for the most part do not require super-humanly tight tension.  Use a single motif as an earring, connect a pair for a pendant, or string them together for a necklace.
Materials

  • Size 11 seed beads in 1 or 2 colours
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • Japanese fringe beads or farfalle or magatamas
  • Needle
  • Thread
Prerequisites: Herringbone
Skill level: Intermediate


DIAMOND LINKS
Use tubular right angle weave with my easy thread path to make reversible open shapes that can be used singly as earrings (we’ll make ear wires that can be used to reverse the dangles easily), or linked with donuts or other open components to make a reversible necklace or bracelet.  Use one colour for the front, one colour for the back, and a third colour for the sides. I recommend opaque beads: metallic, luster, plain opaque, matte all work well. Silver-lined are not recommended - both because they can be confusing to work with and also because if they don’t sit absolutely square, your weave will look sloppy. 

Materials

  • Size 8 seeds (or use 11s if you pefer), 3 colours
  • Japanese fringe beads or small magatamas (optional)
  • Needle 
  • Thread
  • Optional (depnding on use)
  • 21 gauge (or thinner) open jump rings
  • Open components such as hammered metal rings, donuts, crystal rings, etc
  • Wire to make ear wires

Prerequisites: Any beadweaving, RAW a plus
Skill Level: Intermediate

LEAVES EARRINGS
Learn the Russian leaves technique to make a pair of multi-hued two-layer leafy earrings. Pick similar colours with different finishes as in the sample, or use a single colour, or go crazy with wild contrasts.
Materials

  • Size 11 seed beads in 1, 2 or 4 colours
  • Ear wires
  • Needle
  • Thread

Prerequisites: Peyote
Skill Level: Intermediate


CREENA
Using peyote and St Petersburg stitches, combine a rivli with a stunning drop bead to make this symmetric pendant with a bezel surround that flows seamlessly into its chain.

Materials

  • 14mm rivoli
  • Narrow sideways-drilled drop
  • Size 15 seed beads
  • Size 11 seed beads in one to three different colours (I recommend two)
  • 4mm fire-polished beads or pearls or other similar accent beads
  • Clasp
  • Needle
  • Thread

Prerequisites: Peyote, St Petersburg Chain a plus
Skill Level: Intermediate


ALEXANDRA CHAIN
Use medium-sized rondelles (smaller than 6x9mm but bigger than 3x4mm) with three different sizes of seed beads as well as fringe beads to make triangular components that can be linked in a variety of ways to make chains (we will discuss two variations), earrings or pendants. I will also show you how to adjust your bead counts for different-sized rondelles.  
Materials

  • Medium-to-small faceted rondelles (Czech or Chinese)
  • Size 15 seed beads
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • Japanese fringe beads
  • Needle 
  • Thread

Prerequisites: Any beadweaving, RAW a plus
Skill Level: Intermediate


WHIRLIGIG 
With peyote stitch and St Petersburg Chain, use seed beeds and fire-polished beads to set a rivoli in a whirling bezel (it doesn’t actually whirl, it just looks like it!)
Materials

  • 14mm rivoli
  • Size 15 seed beads
  • Size 11 seed beads in one to three different colours (I recommend two)
  • 4mm fire-polished beads or pearls or other similar accent beads
  • Needle
  • Thread

Prerequisites: Peyote, St Petersburg Chain a plus
Skill Level: Intermediate


JAX 


This is a wondeful little component that can be used singly as earrings or a pendant, joined one to the next as a bracelet or necklace, or attached to large links for an airier chain. You can use larger daggers for a more angular look, or spade beads for a more compact effect. And you can make each one reversible!  Really, it doesn’t get much better.  No specific beading stitches are prerequisites, although right angle weave is helpful, but this is definitely not a beginner project, as you should have plenty of seed beading experience and good needle-and-thread control.
Materials

  • 6x13mm daggers or spade beads
  • Japanese fringe beads (not magatamas)
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • Needle
  • Thread

Prerequisites: Any beadweaving, RAW a plus
Skill Level: Intermediate


STACKING STYLE

Here’s an add-a-bead pendant you’ll love. Start with a beadwoven base, and stack large-hole beads as well as large-hole beaded beads for a uniquely customizable look. Handout will contain instructions for all beaded beads and variations, but we will probably only complete a couple in class.

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • Size 6 seed beads
  • Japanese fringe beads
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • 6mm fire-polished beads
  • 8mm fire-polished beads
  • Needle
  • Thread

TETRACHAIN

With a little care, this stitch works with a variety of oval or rice-shaped beads - almost any size will do, as long as the bead holes are big enough, which means pearls are probably not suitable.  Use the same beads for each double tetrahedral shape, or vary them - your choice. Unless you use lightweight beads like shells, resin or wood, I strongly recommend a sturdy thread like fireline.

Materials
  • Any oval or pinch beads or rice-shaped beads, 9 per unit
  • Size 6 or 8 seed beads
  • Fringe beads (optional)
  • Accent beads (for between each woven unit)
  • Clasp
  • Needle
  • Thread

SATELLITE BEADED BEADS

More rondelles! These sturdy little beaded beads pack a punch. They’re fun to make and really showcase the rondelles, with added interest provided by fringe beads and more fire-polished beads. They work equally well alone as earrings, or strung to make a necklace.

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads 
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • 6x9mm fire-polished rondelles
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • Japanese fringe beads
  • Needle
  • Thread

SLANT

Is it peyote? Is it herringone? For seed-beading pleasure, this one hits the spot. You’ll learn a challenging technique using peyote stitch with strategically-placed increases and decreases, accented with magatamas, to make this substantial yet fluid chain. Once you understand the concept, you’ll be able to adjust the width or even make it reversible with different colours front and back.

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads, 3 colours
  • Magatamas
  • Clasp
  • Needle

FEERA BRACELET

Here’s another use for those gergeous Czech rondelles that I just can’t resist. Weave and join four-sided components into a wonderfully dimensional bracelet with a clasp utilizing a rondelle. We’ll also discuss using the components as earrings, and how to curve them into a necklace.

Materials
  • Size 15 seed beads
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • 6x9mm fire-polished rondelles
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • Needle
  • Thread


ISIS BEADED BEAD

Use your peyote skills to create the hollow base for these little beaded beads, and give them further structure and interest by adding another layer using more seed beads and fire-polished beads

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads in 2 colours
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • 6mm fire-polished beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • Needle
  • Thread

DEVETI PENDANT

Create a fabulously rich multi-layered pendant beginning with a rivoli and then adding layers of embllishment, colour and texture. Pick a monochromatic palette for deep and subtle complexity, or choose contrasts galore for explosive bling! If there’s time, we’ll make matching earrings too.

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • 6x9mm fire-polished rondelles
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • Japanese fringe beads
  • 14mm rivoli
  • Purchased chain if desired
  • Needle
  • Thread



CALLA

Make a bouquet of these adorable calla lily-like components. You need to be comfortable with peyote stitch, and should be able to work with tight tension, which is required to prevent droop! We'll discuss colour options to really make these sing!

Materials
  • Japanese seed beads
  • Needle
  • Thread
  • Purchased necklace if desired


TWIG  
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Herringbone, Peyote

Make your branch as leafy as you like - or as bare.  Make leaves that seem to grow organically from your herringbone branch, stitching each leaf as you go. Once we have the concept down, we’ll vary the colouring of each leaf, and discuss how to adjust the sizes and shapes of each leaf.

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads in one colour for the branch, and one or more leaf colours
  • Needle
  • Thread

SWIRL NECKLACE  
Skill Level: Advanced beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisites: Netting

Grab a set of seed and fire-polished beads in graduated sizes, and use Russian-style netting (this just means that each stitch is not quite symmetric, using different sizes of beads in the stitch) to make an eye-catching pendant that swirls out from the centre. To finish it off, make a chain using a daisy stitch variation with built-in toggle clasp.

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads, main colour and contrast colour
  • Size 8 seed beads, contrast colour
  • 3mm fire-polished beads, contrast colour
  • 4mm fire-polished beads, contrast colour
  • 6mm fire-polished beads, contrast colour
  • Needle
  • Thread



WHEELIE PENDANT  

Skill Level: Advanced beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisites: Peyote

This versatile little pendant has a core large enough to slide onto a herringbone or spiral rope, or dangle from hoop earrings and works well for using smallish quantities of beads. Fun, lightweight and as colourful as you want to make it!



Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • Size 15 seed beads
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 6mm fire-polished beads
  • 4x6mm drop beads
  • Needle
  • Thread


ZIG THE ZAG BRACELET 

Skill Level: Advanced beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisites: Peyote

This is a great way to combine coin beads in your seed beading - or not! Work peyote stitch that zigs and zags as you increase and decrease in every row. Work short segments joined with coin beads for an open, airy cuff, or simply work one unbroken piece to your wrist measurement. This is also a fun canvas for colour studies, as the zig-zags make even stripes very interesting. We will also discuss varying the width, either by making deeper zig-zags, or more of them.

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads, as many colours as desired
  • Coin beads (any size, optional)
  • Disk beads or small buttons to fasten
  • Needle
  • Thread

BOXES CHAIN  
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Peyote

I find this chain so satisfying to stitch.  Start with the fire-polished beads, switch to herringbone stitch, starting increasing and working in peyote, then decrease until you reach the fire-polished beads, all the while making stripes that curve up and down around the beadwork. We will discuss alternative colour patterning, as well as sizing of each unit.

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads in as many colours as desired
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • Japanese fringe beads
  • Needle
  • Thread


FAUXBERGE PENDANT 


Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Herringbone, Right Angle Weave helpful

I had so much fun making these pendants that I made eight of them in less than a week!  This richly-textured and layered oval pendant brings to mind jewelled Fabergé eggs - for a fraction of the price. Start with a base constructed using right angle weave, and add an intricate latticework of seed beads accented with fringe beads, drops and faceted beads, finishing off the whole with either a beaded-on bail, or growing a herringbone chain directly off the end.

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads
  • Size 8 seed beads
  • 8mm fire-polished beads
  • 9x7mm fire-polished long-drilled drop beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • Japanese fringe beads
  • 4x6mm drop beads
  • Needle
  • Thread


POINT FIVE PENDANT   
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Peyote stitch

Bezel a rivoli in peyote stitch, and work two five-pointed offset stacked layers which dance with texture as the eye is drawn to the centre. Suspend the pendant from a herringbone rope.  I chose one dull and one shiny colour for each layer of the ruffle, but this could just as easily be completed in a single colour, or many more than I used.  If the motif is pleasing but the scale seems too modest, this can also be scaled up, which will further emphasize the ruffles, which are fairly gentle at this size. You should be very comfortable with peyote stitch, as we will move briskly through the steps to be covered to complete this project (which is the pendant - I will include instructions for attaching a herringbone rope, but you will probably not get started on the rope during class).

Materials
  • Size 11 seed beads, as many colours as desired (sample uses 5 colours, two sets of coordinating colours and a bezel colour)
  • Size 15 seed beads (contrast OR coordinate)
  • 14mm rivoli
  • Clasp
  • Needle
  • Thread

STAR FLOWER


Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Prerequisite: Any beadweaving

Join sparkling star- or flower-shaped components stitched from two sizes of fire-polished beads and seed beads to make a dazzling necklace or bracelet, or use single components as earrings.

Materials
  • Japanese size 11 seed beads
  • 3mm fire-polished beads
  • 4mm fire-polished beads
  • 6mm fire-polished beads for necklace
  • Clasp
  • Needle
  • Thread