Our one day Bead-In at the New Berlin Public Library Community Room was a lot of fun! We had over
40 people, including Jim Kelly, our April speaker. He brought a number of beautiful pieces he's made, and
all of us who talked with him got very excited about his upcoming presentation! Lunch was tasty, and there
were a number of great interactions around the room. Afterward a number of people expressed an interest in
having more of these get-togethers. What do you think? Let us know!
This year's Retreat, Beauty and the Beadist, will enhance the beauty and creativity of
our Beadists (bead/artists).
On Friday night, you'll be challenged to "show your stuff" when we have our first ever
"Wear Your Best" evening. Put on your favorite necklace, bracelet, ring (all of the above?)
and join the group at Hot Shop Glass
for a glass blowing demo. There will be door prizes and a special prize for the Best of Show
later at Uncorkt! Throughout the weekend, being in
the Open Beading room is always an exciting adventure - as ideas and projects are shared,
our knowledge and enthusiasm grows.
Along with the beauty of our creative energy,
this year's retreat will provide a spa-like atmosphere! We'll be favoring you with beauty
treats, hand massages, good food, and chocolate! On Saturday night, we'll be Jammin' in
our Jammies! In the past, most beaders worked late into the night, so why not be
comfortable? Remember the Radisson also has a pool and workout room.
What more could you ask for in a get away? Learning, Lounging, Lots of Laughing... come for
a day or stay for the weekend!
Check out the retreat flyer
and registration form for full details.
Many members like to stop at Fox Den Designs on their way to Racine to check out their amazing
inventory of Miyuki beads. For those of you who haven't been there, this map will help you find your way:
Fox Den Designs to Radisson Hotel
This map shows the sites of the official retreat activities:
Radisson Hotel, Hot Shop Glass, Uncorkt, and Funky Hannah's
Some of our goodies have been donated by Swarovski. They have been so good to us this year - check them out!
This year we have wonderful teachers coming to teach us new techniques. Whether you like
seed bead weaving, working with metal, resin, hot glass or fiber, we have a class for you!
Click on a picture to see a larger version.
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Cubic Right Angle Weave Earrings - Lynne Soto Saturday, 9:00-12:00 Ever wonder how designers like Marcia DeCoster, Diane Fitzgerald, and David Chatt do sculptural beadwork? One technique is Cubic Right Angle Weave. Learn its secrets while making a pair of earrings. This very specific stitching pattern is not difficult, but it does take some concentration to see the thread path the first time. The class covers straight segments, turning corners, connection segments, and stacking additional layers to make components truly 3-dimensional. Supplies: Bring a selection of seed beads; thread to match or Fireline 6 lb test and your normal beading supplies (mat, light, glasses, needles, scissors...) |
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Bezel, Bezel - Debbi Simon Saturday, 9:00-12:00 What a fun way to learn the ins and outs of resin! This mini workshop will start with a demo of the properties of 2-part resin. Participants will practice mixing resin batches, using color additives, layering, making and using molds, and adding found objects. You will leave with an eclectic group of pendants of various sizes and shapes and a working knowledge of what it takes to create with resin. Supplies: Fee includes 4 large bezels, two part resin for use in class, mold making material and an abundance of items to be added to the bezels. Students are encouraged to bring additional bezels of all kinds and anything and everything they want to add to a bezel. Those items include but are not limited to: small beads, found objects, items from nature, papers and fibers to name just a few. |
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Beaded Stars Bracelet - Lynne Soto Saturday, 1:30-4:30 Use your bead stash of seed beads, hex-cuts, triangles, cylinders, and specialty beads to make a star! Once you master the basic star pattern, the sky’s the limit for what you can do with these enchanting beaded stars. Use one star for an earring. Connect 8 or 9 stars for a bracelet or more for a necklace. Get creative with color combinations and varying bead sizes, textures, and shapes. You decide how to repeat the beads within the loops and circles. No students will have stars that look exactly alike. Supplies: Bring a large selection of size 6 and 8 seed beads, size 8 and 10 triangle beads, size 8 hex-cut beads, size 8 cylinder beads in complementary colors, and specialty beads in sizes in proportion with the other beads you choose. Thread to match or Fireline 6 lb test; beading needles, #10; pair of earring findings (optional); beading mat; scissors; magnifier (optional). Note: If you do not have a bead stash, buy two tubes of seed bead mixes to make a bracelet. |
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Copper Lentil Bead Pendant - Louise Pederson Saturday, 1:30-4:30 Learn hollow-form techniques to master one of the newest metal clays—copper clay—to make a richly textured lentil bead pendant. These basic skills can be applied in creating many unique, beautiful hollow-form components to add to your bead work. Supplies: Fee includes use of instructor's tools, 50 g of copper clay and firing fee. Bring a smooth work surface; craft knife; cutter; paint brush; task lamp. Optional: favorite textures and tools. |
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Lacy Treasure Beaded Pendant - Marilee Rocklee Sunday, 9:00-12:00 Learn to master the “flip,” the basic essential to shuttle tatting and make good progress on this beautiful beginner project, one of Marilee’s original designs! Those with tatting experience may wish to join this workshop and bring their own project. Supplies: Fee includes 2 tatting shuttles, heavy thread, high quality size 10 crochet thread, 4 size 8 beads, 2 top-drilled teardrop or leaf beads, 2 size 6 to 8 mm round beads, 2 split ring findings and a fine steel crochet hook. Bring along an embroidery needle (about size 3, large enough for the crochet thread) and small sharp scissors. |
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Glass Bead Making Class at
Funky Hannah's Sunday, 1:30-5:00 |