Come and join us for an unforgettable workshop where you can breathe new life into your cherished fiber art pieces through the magic of bead embroidery. Bring along 1-2 of your favorite creations – whether they’re petite art quilts, stunning wearables, felted wonders, hand-dyed fabric panels, or captivating fabric collages.

In this immersive experience, you’ll embark on a journey with your own fiber art as your canvas, delving into the heart of bead embroidery. Together, we’ll explore a myriad of stitches, from delicately sparse bead placements to sumptuously dense focal areas, and everything in between. Dive into the world of fringe and edging techniques, discovering the boundless ways beads can infuse texture and dimension into your fiber masterpieces.

To enrich our creative journey, we’ll also visit the world’s largest gem show, where you’ll find endless inspiration and materials to elevate your project to new heights. Get ready to unleash your creativity and watch your art come alive with each carefully placed bead.

Workshop Schedule

Day 1: Dots & Small Clusters
• Stitching one bead at a time (in random forms, specific patterns, color and value variations)
• Stitching small clusters of beads
• Gradations of heights and bead densities

Day 2: Lines
• Stitch options for straight lines (solid, dashed, etc.)
• Stitch options for gentle curves
• Stitch options for tight curves
• Dimensional lines

Day 3 a.m.: Fringe
• Grouped fringes
• Looped fringes
• Novelty fringes
Day 3 p.m.: Outing to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
• After lunch we’ll travel by van from our workshop site to the world-famous Tucson Gem & Mineral Show for an afternoon of shopping, learning, and taking in the wonders of this show. Students will be able to purchase some special stones to add to their fiber art.

Day 4: Bezels & Catches
• Peyote-stitch bezels (with tips for variations for experienced students)
• Securing a cabochon or large bead with netting
• Other types of beaded catches

Day 5: Larger Motifs & Individual Exploration
• Pulling multiple techniques together to create larger beaded motifs
• Individual stitch and design explorations by each student, with instructor guidance
• Sharing work and final Q&A