2 Day Beading Workshop by Roger Amerman!

Join Roger Amerman in this workshop to learn the Construction of a Small Ornate Partially Beaded Buckskin Neck Pouch.

Workshop participants will learn the basics of applique and edge beading with the smaller seed glass beads sizes 10/o and 11/o, as well as the larger 5/o or 6/o pony beads. We will be learning to bead stitches on the same project, which contrast vastly in application and purpose. The smaller beads are used to manifest the artistic theme and showcase ornamental element of the project, while the pony bead “brick” edging looks good but it is the bead and stitch that sews and holds the small intimate bag together.

For the small bead ornamentation on the bag we will a two-needle process where the first thread and needle strings and holds the beads, and the 2nd thread and needle stitch the beads (on the first thread) down every three or less beads. The particular method of bead stitching to be employed in this course is referred to as “contour” and “lane” bead stitching.

We will be beading a small yet classy design with the small seed beads, and we will leave a lot of the buckskin in the project void of beads (negative space). This technique will emphasis the limited amount of beaded ornamentation applied to the bag, as well as emphasize the beauty of the natural buckskin in the project. I will be showing students that sometimes “less is more” when composing art.

After the limited ornate beadwork is applied to one or both sides of the unconstructed buckskin pouch side panels, we will then construct or sew the ornate intimate pouch and simultaneously use the pony bead and a much heavier sinew thread and leather glover needle to artistically hold the project together. We will be using an edge “brick” stitch that utilizes the bigger pony beads and note that this pony bead stitch is applied one-bead-at-a-time as our edging evolves. This particular pony bead brick edging stitch was very popular with numerous First Nations peoples as well as many North American Frontier Colonial Peoples that appreciated and embraced Native beadwork styles between 1750 and 1870.

We will examine color use, color contrast, and beading texture strategies. The final product of this workshop will be either a beaded neck bag with thongs, or a folded and wrapped small intimate pouch that one carries or stores in a pocket or purse. The project will incorporate your own style, your own sense of color and texture, and will be unique to you and your skill level.” I will have simple yet ornate designs available for students to use in their respective projects (or you can put your own design to beadwork!).

Class tuition: $195.00 per student (and this includes the supplies fee of $25.00).

Beads, beading, hide, and design/graphics supplies provided.

Class size limited to first 15 students.

Adult class. Children 12 and over with paying adult only please.

Class is from 10am-4pm on both Saturday 2/24 and Sunday 2/25.