The following beadweaving workshops are currently being offered. Click on the titles to learn more about each class.
For more information or to reserve a date for Workshop Retreats in the Barn, please contact Beverly at jewelry@gilbertdesigns.netor by phone: 425-822-2224.
Intertwine beads and fabric to create a symphony of color and texture. With bead soups and stabilized fabric we will employ a variety of freeform stitches to finish the edges and weave the fabric elements together. The color and textural combinations are endless in this playful duet!
Wander through the garden, or beach, or down memory lane with photos, fabric and beads. Interweave photographic images (yours or mine imprinted onto fabric) with bead soups and freeform stitches to create this whimsical, reversible necklace. Throughout class, we will discuss how to create color and textural depth in your piece. You can choose a different color scheme for the back of the photos so that you have two necklaces in one!
Wander with a purpose! Play with color, texture and form to create elegant, wearable art using freeform vertical netting. Create an open and airy piece or crunch and embellish to add depth and intrique. You may incorporate focal points such as bezels or large stones imbedded in the design or simply use the positive and negative spaces of the stitch as your point of interest. This class will experiment with free form style and 'bead soups', and encourage you to break rules! ... but always with an end design in mind!
Wander
with a purpose in this 2 day workshop! Play with color, texture
and form to create elegant, wearable art using freeform vertical
netting. You will learn how to create the beautiful curves and waves
that add depth and intrigue to the neckpiece. You may incorporate focal
points such as bezels or large stones imbedded in the design or simply
use the positive and negative spaces of the stitch as your point of
interest. You will also create a unique bezelled clasp as the perfect
closure for your design. This class will experiment with free form
style and 'bead soups', and encourage you to break rules! ... but
always with an end design in mind!
Wander with bead soups and fibers! Play with color, texture and form to create elegant, wearable art using freeform vertical netting - and incoporate a variety of fibers for added pizzazz. For more workshop information and class samples
Beads on Metal
Metalworking
and bead weaving come together! Create colorful components with inspirations on the back using metalworking techniques, a bead soup and a sense of whimsy. Then join and embellish to create bracelets, earrings, perhaps a decorative touch on a purse, a sweater – your imagination is the limit!
Make a gem filled pendant that can slide onto a metal, beaded or woven chain. Start with a netted backbone, then embellish to your hearts delight! You will also learn how to make a peyote bale.
Bags bulge with treasures after a day at the beach. Transform these finds into an extraordinary wearable / visual art with freeform techniques that will inspire you to comb the beaches! You will learn how to encase and interconnect shells, sea glass, stones and other pieces to create flowing, organic works of art.
This colorful bracelet
is a fast and fun project for those just starting to experiment with
freeform stitching and for those anxious to find another way to use
bead soups and experiment with color. ‘Rocks’ are formed with freeform
masses of bead soup kept in line by ‘rolls’ of uniform tubular netting.
Discussions of color will be infused throughout the class including
washing techniques to make the ‘rocks’ glow.
Make fast and fun
baubles with bead soups and freeform stitches. Use these balls of color
to make earrings and pendants, join them together to make bracelets and
necklaces or use as components in other projects. A great introduction
to freeform stitching and bead soups.
Transform the ordinary into extraordinary! Bezel stones, buttons or flat beads then add bead embroidery, picots and more to make a dramatic centerpiece for a necklace, bracelet, purse, cushion or ...? In this class you will play with color and form and see how different stitches can flow together.
Create Old World charm with dainty beadwork. In this class we will explore bezels with peyote reduction and surface embellishment then interconnect them with a decorative peyote chain. We will also make a bezelled clasp.
Peyote with a splash! Play with color and bead soups to really make waves! Use this technique for bracelets or chokers and dramatically change the look by incoporating 1 huge wave or a series of ripples. No prerequisite!
Netting offers a delicate framework for displaying color and texture. In this class, we will work on two proects. We will begin with basic netting techniques and incorporate a focal point such as a bezeled button or simply embellish with pearls or other small beads. We will vary the size of the beads in the second project to produce a beautiful rippled effect.
The following applies to Workshop Retreats in the Barn held at the Gilbert Designs Studio:
Jewelry Kits are available for purchase prior to and during classes - please inquire!
Discounts are available for large private parties
A syllabus will be sent as confirmation of payment and will include a list of the supplies you should bring to the class
Cancellation Policy: Refunds of 50% will be given up to 2 weeks prior to class. I'm sorry, but due to my preparation time and expense, I am unable to honor refunds after that time. If you are unable to attend at the last minute, I will mail you the class instructions and basic supplies that are given as part of the class. You are always welcome to find a replacement if you need to cancel at any time.
