Tag Archive | seed beads

Ocean Rivers: class/tutorial

Dec8

Ocean Rivers: 4 lessons/ $45.00

ocean rivers braceletThis class will teach you a little bit about the freedom of expression the “free form peyote stitch” can bring to your technical repertoire. The launching point of your bracelet and your creative explosion will start with a simple grosgrain ribbon, a small collection of buttons, a variety of seed beads in several sizes and colors combined with a few small treasures. Bring your imagination and creative spirit….

Skill Level Intermediate: beading knowledge needed

Lesson One: You will cut and prep the ribbon base; we will talk about setting up your beads; learn about focal placement and the stitching the buttons in place; then create your first tidal currents.

Lesson Two: We will explore the basic peyote stitch; changing from between bead sizes within the current; making connections and creating more tidal currents; and adding in new thread.

Lesson Three: We will cover creating waves along the outer reaches of the bracelet; stitching in the tidal pool treasures such as larger beads, sequins and chips with single bead stoppers, cascades and picots.

Lesson Four: Finishing touches: stitching the button and closure loop; stitching the beaded shell edging; and barnacle extras.

Class Information

These classes can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule. The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.

Once the class is paid for, the supply list will be sent out. The lessons will begin one week after the purchase of the class, unless otherwise stated. You will receive an email with the lesson attached. The following lesson/s will arrive one week after the previous lesson.

A high speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it and print out a copy.

You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.

Class fees will not be refunded.

Happy Stitching,

~Christen

New Fangled Dangle: class/tutorial

Dec8

New Fangled Dangle by Christen Brown 2 lessons/$25.00

beads, buttons, charms, bracletThis is a wonderful project for those who want to create their own beaded jewelry. This bracelet reminds me of the charm bracelet my Grandmother gave me for my 10th birthday. The base row of large beads can also include buttons and then is adorned with charms and additional beads. All of the beads can be different, similar or even the same, and it will still look beautiful. This is the perfect piece of jewelry for any wardrobe, or to give as a gift for that special friend.

Skill Level Beginner/Intermediate: beading knowledge will be helpful.

Lesson 1: In this lesson I will show you how to organize your beads, and give you color and size options for the base and dangle designs. Then you will design the base of the bracelet, adding in the button and loop closure. You can choose to use all beads, or add in some buttons for flare. I will give several design options to choose from, but you may come up with your own depending on your components.

Lesson 2: In this lesson the dangles and the beaded flourishes will be added to the base of the bracelet. There are so many different design options to choose from that you will want to make more than one, I am sure!

Class Information

These classes can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule. The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.

Once the class is paid for, the supply list will be sent out. The lessons will begin one week after the purchase of the class, unless otherwise stated. You will receive an email with the lesson attached. The following lesson/s will arrive one week after the previous lesson.

A high speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it and print out a copy.

You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.

Class fees will not be refunded.

Happy Stitching,

~Christen

Madelaine’s Choker: class/tutorial

Dec8

Madelaine’s Choker: 2 Lessons/$25.00

beaded necklace, beads, buttons, charmsEveryone loves this piece, both in the making and the wearing. The style is timeless, and the possibilities for design endless. This necklace starts with a two-needle right angle ladder stitched base. Once the base is complete one needle sets off to create the dangles, which can be freshwater pearls, glass beads or vintage glass treasures, while the other needle adds a finished edge to the top of the necklace. A beautiful button or bead can be used for the closure. The dangles and embellishments can be simple and elegant or encrusted and fantastic, this is where your imagination can soar!

Skill Level Intermediate/Advanced: right angle weave and beading knowledge needed.

Lesson 1: This lesson will introduce you to the different components that you can use, and show you the variety of design options. I will show you how to set up your beads and the design components so that your progress in both work and design is successful. You will design and work the base of the necklace choosing from the options given or you can make up your own design.

Lesson 2: In this lesson the dangles and finishing touches will be covered, and then the fun starts, and you can begin to play! I will provide several different dangle and design options for you to chose from; I am sure you will want to make more than one!

Class Information

These classes can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule.The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.

Once the class is paid for, the supply list will be sent out. The lessons will begin one week after the purchase of the class, unless otherwise stated. You will receive an email with the lesson attached. The following lesson/s will arrive one week after the previous lesson.

A high speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it and print out a copy.

You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.

Class fees will not be refunded.

Happy Stitching,

~Christen

 

Jardin de Grandmere: class/tutorial

Dec6

Jardin de Grandmere: 2 lessons/$20.00

group1sElegant and pretty is the best description for this bracelet. The flower medallion is created with a circular peyote stitch and is created by using three different sizes of seed beads. The bracelet can be stitched as a single or double row with a beautiful button for a closure. These circular peyote medallions reminded me of the “Grandmother’s Garden” quilt block with yo yos stitched in floral seed sacks or vintage cottons.

Skill Level Intermediate: beading knowledge needed

Lesson 1: This lesson will show you how to organize your beads, combine colors and make your first flower. Once you have the technique down, you will connect the next flower to the last, to make 1 row of the bracelet.

Lesson 2: This lesson will show you how to make a second row of flowers. You will also learn how to make the button closure and loop closure. Additional design options will be covered.

Class Information

These classes can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule.The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.

Once the class is paid for, the supply list will be sent out. The lessons will begin one week after the purchase of the class, unless otherwise stated. You will receive an email with the lesson attached. The following lesson/s will arrive one week after the previous lesson.

A high speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it and print out a copy.

You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.

Class fees will not be refunded.

Happy Stitching,

~Christen

Ocean Rivers Bracelet 2: free form peyote

Jul22
Spanish Moss

Spanish Moss

The bracelet above is the second sample of my Ocean Rivers Bracelet. The stitching technique is one that I developed using free-form peyote stitch on fabric.

Happy stitching, enjoy! Christen

Lothlorien Twilight

Jul10
Lothlorien Twighlight

Lothlorien Twilight

“Lothlorien” is where Galadriel lives in J.R.R. Tolkien’s magical world. The cloaks that she and her ladies made, that were given to the “Fellowship of the Ring” were said to have been made with a cloth that reflected the leaf, branch, water and stone of this realm. I felt that the colors that I chose for this piece reflected the same thing. Hopefully the magic will be reflected here too!

embroidered center

embroidered center

The background is a vintage embroidered silk purse, probably from China. The purse itself was too delicate to be used as such, so I have tried to preserve it’s beauty, and add it to my collection of art. Each piece of embroidery is comprised of single “Peking or Chinese Knot”, incredible in itself the work that went into each piece! These were each stitched separately then attached by hand to the brown silk. The rows of gold work that attached each design had come apart so I hand stitched these back in place first before I added in my own embellishments.

Then it was time to add in some of my own work. I beaded three dragonflies that have a dentalium shell body that is beaded and wings that are beaded. I made several sets of brick stitched leaves and interspersed them through the sections of flowers. I also beaded a few vines of brick stitched leaves.

beadedcenter

embellished and beaded center

I hand stitched several butterflies from French wire ribbon, and added dentalium shell bodies which are beaded. I also made hand stitched flowers from grosgrain ribbon that I stitched with vintage celluloid button centers. I antiqued both the flowers and butterfly bodies with copper fabric paint.

Several more flowers were made from silk bias ribbon and vintage velvet ribbon. These have beaded centers and are interspersed between the butterflies and larger flowers.

I used many vintage buttons that I have collected over the years including carved Tahiti shell, “tinnies” and celluloid which were used around the outer edges. Several new dragonfly and butterfly buttons and charms were also found to complete the theme.

Full wall hanging

Full wall hanging

I had a wonderful time collecting all of these treasures, then finding a home for them to reside.

The last item I found at Maureen’s Vintage Acquisitions was the mini quilt hanger with the dragonfly on the top! Perfection!

I hope that you enjoy what you do, have fun today and do take a look at the other entries for this challenge, they are all unique and incredible!

Happy stitching, collecting and treasure what gifts you have! Enjoy! ~Christen

Violet Gardens- ribbon work brooch

Jun26
Violet Gardens Brooch

Violet Gardens Brooch

This was one of two entries for the Piecework Magazine’s Excellence in Needlework 2009. This year’s challenge was to make a brooch no larger than 3″, in any needle art category. I chose ribbon work here and silk ribbon embroidery for my other submission Elizabeth’s Garden.

The base of the brooch is 18 gauge florist wire wrapped in cotton batting, then a silk bias ribbon. The brooch was fashioned into a spiral (see the bottom picture), with two loops. Tiny spirals of 22 gauge florist wire wrapped in cotton batting then 4mm silk ribbon peek out here and there, and add more dimension to the design.

The brooch was then covered in hand made ribbon worked flowers and leaves. I used 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″ and 5/8″ (folded in half); in a variety of materials including silk bias, rayon hem tape, ombre and taffeta ribbons. A few beads are sprinkled here and there for extra detailing.

back of brooch

back of brooch

The back of the brooch is almost covered with as many flowers as the front. I used a rococo trim to cover the bulk of the stitching, and then added in flowers and leaves here and there.

From this picture you can make out the spiral design of the base. You can see the tiny tendrils quite well here too, and if you look closely the pesky white batting wanted to peep out whenever it had a chance to from the 4mm ribbon, I fixed that before sending it off on it’s journey!

Both of my entries were selected by the judges to be included in a display of the brooches at The National Needle Arts Association’s trade show in Columbus, Ohio, June 13-15, 2009. They will also be on display at the Embroiderer’s Guild of America’s (EGA) museum in Louisville, Kentucky, from July 1 through September 23, 2009. For information contact EGA www.egausa.org (502) 589-6956.

Happy stitching, happy day, enjoy- Christen

Santa Fe Talisman- necklace

Jun1
Santa Fe Talisman- necklace

Santa Fe Talisman- necklace

The inspiration for the colors of this neck-piece came from the wonderful colors in the abalone and Tahiti shell buttons. Other buttons include hand carved jade, turquoise and shell. The base of the necklace is comprised of two vintage velvet ribbon stitched together, using my Vintage Bling Bling pattern.

All of the components: the buttons; glass and shell charms; seed and novelty beads that are encrusted around the base took a lifetime to collect. The vintage carved tahiti shell buttons were a gift from a friend; the abalone buttons I made myself in high school; the turquoise buttons were bought at the Palace of the Governor in Santa Fe, New Mexico a few summers back.

Other treasures include shell discs that came from an old necklace I wore in high school; fresh water pearls, vintage trade beads and new glass beads I have collected from many bead shows and fairs.

Santa Fe Talisman- bracelets

Santa Fe Talisman- bracelets

The first bracelet “Anemone” is loaded with dangles of all kinds. These are stitched to a base of large seed beads with a vintage button for the closure. The second bracelet is from the “Button Brigade” pattern with carved floral pua shell buttons.

The treasures of the summer and the sea bring a life time of joy and beauty. Enjoy your stitching adventures…. Christen

Victoriana- silk ribbon embroidered vest

May30
Victoriana- silk ribbon embroidered rvest

Victoriana- silk ribbon embroidered vest

This is a collaged montage of a few of the embroidered sections from my Victoriana vest. This vest is shown here in it’s second incarnation. The original was a solid piece of fabric with the manipulated ribbon work sections, lace sections, and ribbon embroidery, similar to The Edwardian, and was the original sample for Vintage Redressed pattern. Sadly the vest had an accident with the iron, and several sections of ribbon work melted! Yikes!

So I cut out the sections that I could save, found a compatible fabric to the original, and crazy pieced the front sections with the saved embroidery, and simplified the back by just using the dyed lace pieces, buttons and beads.

The silk ribbon embroidery sections were worked with 2mm, 4mm, and 7mm silk ribbon, vintage ombre ribbon, and buttonhole twist thread. The ribbon worked flowers are made from satin ribbon. I added in seed beads in sizes 6,8, and 11 for details. Metal charms and vintage buttons complete the details.

Victoriana- vest

Victoriana- vest

The beret and purse that I wear with this vest are made from the original fabrics, and the Lady Alexandra is the jewelry that is worn with this outfit.

Enjoy your day, happy stitching… Christen

The Cotillion Tassel- ribbons and beads

May27
The Cotillion Tassel

The Cotillion Tassel

This tassel is a most feminine tassel, perfect to adorn that special armoire or chest of drawers. I have made several tassels in my time, and I hang them on an old fence post that my husband attached to the wall.

This tassel is a sample from my Cotillion Tassel pattern. The tassel is embellished with hand made flowers and leaves using a variety of ribbons and trims including:

  • Rayon Velvet
  • Vintage French Jacquard
  • 10mm French Ombre
  • French Wire Ribbon
  • Hanah silk cord
  • Rococo Trim

The velvet ribbons were stitched into leaves and used at the top of the tassel as well as the calyx for the modified fuchsias which are made from the French wire ribbon. The vintage French jacquard has a disc at the bottom and is embellished with seed beads. The rococo trim is wrapped around the silk cord which is further embellished with beads and charms. Flowers made from the wire and the ombre ribbons are sprinkled around the top of the tassel.

To finish off the embellishments I added in stamens for the flowers, glass butterflies and leaves, and metal flower shaped charms.

Enjoy! Christen