Class Descriptions

TRIPLE HELIX BRACELET

This colorful bracelet begins with a MRAW Bellyband. Six rows of Helix points are then woven in overlapping layers along the edges and center of the double-wide band using Peyote Zig-Zag stitch. We complete the project with a magnetic clasp. Intermediate Level
2 day class

ARROW CUFF

This fun peyote stitched cuff is exploded off of a flat peyote triangle or square. It uses size 11 Miyuki Delica seed beads in 8 colors to make the Native American inspired diamond patterns that repeat 5 times to make the length. It has a simple snap clasp. Intermediate level.
1 day class

CONTEMPLATIVE BEADING

This class focuses on using beading as a spiritual or meditative practice. Beading becomes a method for concentration and relaxation. Working in this creative process, we begin to slow down our frenzied lives, bringing our focus to each bead, each moment and each breath as we gently reconnect with our own internal rhythms. It will help restore each of us to a place of balance and harmony. The primary focus will be on creating a personal beaded mandala. Other projects will be included if time allows.
1-5 day class

WILD WOMAN PURSE

This project is focused on helping women reconnect with their Wild Woman archetype, the innate instinctual Self or Psyche. At its deepest meaning it is the practice of knowing one’s soul and intuitive Essence. Through story telling, music, guided imagery and the making of a highly embellished soft leather purse, students will access this Wild Woman archetype.
3 day class

FREE-FORM GOURD STITCH BRACELET

Students will create a free-form bracelet using a variety of sizes, colors and types of beads. Variations of the basic Flat Gourd (Peyote) stitch give a 3-D sculptural effect to this one-of-a-kind project. Previous experience in Gourd Stitch is helpful.
1 day class

XHOSA DOUBLE SCALLOP STITCK NECKLACE

This class will focus on the off-loom beading technique from the Xhosa tribes of South Africa known as the Double-faced Scallop Stitch. To create the double-facing, each row is worked in both a forward and reverse direction. As in some of the Zulu tribe stitches, the connections in this stitch also pass through a bead, loop around a thread from a previous row then pass once again through the same bead to secure the stitch. Students will create a beautiful heirloom necklace in an original Wendy Ellsworth Design or a design of their own choosing.
1 day class

CABOCHON BROOCH WITH RUFFLE

This project was featured on the cover of Bead & Button Magazine's April 2000 issue. Participants will learn to make a Gourd (Peyote) Stitch bezel around a cabochon of their choice and surround it with a Gourd Stitch ruffle made by radical increases. This is a signature design by Wendy Ellsworth.
1 day class

SHAKE UP YOUR PALLETE

If you have been having trouble breaking out of your comfort zone in working with color choices, this class is for you! You will end up with a free-form Gourd Stitch bracelet and how it gets made is the surprise.
1 day class

SPIRAL TWIST VESSELS

Participants will learn how to make a beaded vessel in a spiral twist design using size 6 seed beads and 4mm cube beads in either a 4-bead or 12-bead pattern. It is worked in Flat Circular and Tubular Gourd Stitch with increasing and decreasing to create its free-standing shape. The techniques lend themselves to a variety of irregular shapes so each one is unique and fun to make.
1 day class

ZULU NECKLACE

Two stitches from the Zulu tribes of South Africa will be taught in this class: the Square Tube and Double Helix. They will be combined into one necklace in a color palette of each student's choosing. Further embellishment will complete the project.
1 day class

GOURD STITCH BASKET W/PEARLS

1, 2 and 3-drop Gourd Stitch will create this adorable lidded basket. It begins with Flat Circular Gourd Stitch and works upward into 3-drop Gourd Stitch. It can be made in either size 11 or 8 seed beads. The lid is embellished and is removable.
1 day class

FREE FORM GOURD STITCH VESSELS

Students will use a wide variety of seed beads and other beads to weave free-form vessels in the Gourd Stitch. Each vessel begins in the center with the Flat Circular Gourd Stitch and works into Tubular Gourd Stitch. Each one is unique and fun to create. Previous experience with the Gourd Stitch is a pre-req.
1 day class

MAPLE LEAF BROOCH

An element from my "Fall Splendor Necklace", this maple leaf incorporates free-form Herringbone Stitch that has been charted into a pattern. Students can either follow the pattern or make their own free-form design using a leaf template. Multiple increasing and decreasing in Herringbone Stitch create the shape.
1-2 day class

AFRICAN BEAD SAFARI

Come along on a bead safari to visit the Zulu, Ndebele and Xhosa tribes of South Africa. A multitude of their beading techniques will be explored that can be used to make a variety of jewelry and sculptural forms. These techniques will include the Zulu Square Tube and Double Helix Stitches, the Ndebele Herringbone Stitch in its flat and tubular forms, along with the Xhosa Double-Faced Scallop Stitch and Chevron Stitch.
3-5 day class

SEAFORMS

Students will learn to create wonderful tactile SeaForms using the Flat Circular and Tubular Gourd Stitches with increasing and decreasing as well as the Ndebele Herringbone Stitch in its tubular form. These can be built up in sections to make larger forms that look so real you’ll feel as if you just took a trip to visit the Great Barrier Reef!
2-4 day class

OFF-LOOM BEADING: CATCHING THE LIGHT

This class will focus on the off-loom beading techniques known as the Gourd, Brick and Herringbone Stitches. The basics of each stitch will be taught so that they can be used in a free-form manner. The emphasis of the class will be on applying these techniques to free-form, sculptural designs in objects of body adornment such as necklaces and bracelets or in making 3-D baskets or vessels.
3-5 day class

3-D BASKETS & VESSELS

This 3-day class will focus on the off-loom beading technique known as the Gourd or Peyote Stitch. Participants will utilize this versatile stitch to make a lidded basket, a spiral twist vessel and a free-form 3-D vessel of their own design. Each of these begins with Flat Circular Gourd Stitch and works into the tubular form of the stitch. Increasing, decreasing and 1,2 and 3-drop Gourd Stitch will be covered along with surface embellishment.
3 day class

AFRICAN SAFARI NECKLACE

Using variations of the Herringbone Stitch, this lariat-style necklace is approx. 65" in length. Wrapped around rattail cord, it includes 3 different flowers all in Herringbone Stitch and multiple colors, sizes and types of beads. A lamp-worked bead or dichroic cab provides a focal point. Multiple increasing and decreasing in Herringbone Stitch create its undulating shape.
2-3 day class

SUMMER PASSION FLOWER BROOCH/BRACELET

An element from my "Summer Passion Necklace", this project is formed in two layers using two sizes of beads worked in Herringbone Stitch. Multiple increases in multiple colors create its circular shape and a lamp-worked bead nestles into the center.
1 day class

GREAT BARRIER REEF NECKLACE

Evoking the colors and textures of the Great Barrier Reef, this necklace uses a color palette of beads to match a focal dichroic cabochon. Wrapped around rattail cord, it is made in variations of the Herringbone Stitch with multiple strands of seaweed fringe. Each necklace is unique and one-of-a-kind.
2 day class

HERRINGBONE STITCH EARRINGS

These easy and fun earrings are made using tubular Herringbone Stitch with increasing to create the flowers and a 4-bead fringe embellishment for the stem.
1 day class

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' NECKLACE

Evocative of lazy, sun-filled days lying on a California beach, listening to Mama Cass, this lovely necklace is really fun to make. Starting from a ladder stitch base, the rest of the necklace is worked in herringbone stitch. Multiple increases create the central spiraling element which has a lovely freshwater pearl tucked into its center. The necklace strap is worked in tubular herringbone stitch. By changing the color sequences of the beads, students can easily customize their own work of art. Intermediate - Advanced Skill Levels
1-2 day class

POLYGON WEAVE NECKLACE

Polygon Weave is another of the African Zulu stitches. This class covers 3 of the many variations that one can use knowing the basics of this type of polygon weave. Introduced by Valerie Hector in Ornament Magazine, I have designed a 3-strand necklace that is made using a wonderful assortment of vibrant colors in size 11 seed beads. All skill levels.
1-2 day class

EGYPTIAN LOTUS FLOWER NECKLACE

Inspired by a bead necklace my grandmother acquired in Egypt in 1905, this necklace is worked in several forms of Herringbone and Gourd Stitches. The lotus flower is an ancient symbol of creation and rebirth, immortality and royal power. Intermediate-Advanced Skill Levels.
2-3 day class

STAR GAZER NECKLACE

Worked entirely in Herringbone Stitch, the sparkle comes from the size 8 Czech True Cuts and Swarovsky crystals that are used to make the necklace with. The clasp is also unusual and fun to make. Intermediate-Advanced Skill Levels.
1 day class

SEA URCHIN VESSELS

These fun little vessels are made using the herringbone stitch with size 8 seed beads and freshwater pearls. Each one begins in the center with flat circular herringbone and works up into tubular, with increasing & decreasing to create its sea urchin shape.
1 day class

HERRINGBONE STITCH VESSELS WITH RUFFLED EDGE

Another design in herringbone stitch, these ruffled-edge vessels are made with #5 Miyuki glass triangle beads in two colors. Started in flat circular herringbone in the center, the walls are worked in tubular herringbone. Increasing creates the ruffled edging.
1 day class

BEADED PRAYER POUCH

“A design from my book Beading and the Creative Spirit, this beaded prayer pouch is made in 2-bead brick stitch with size 11 seed beads. This is a class focused on the spirit of creative beading.
1 day class

BEADED SONG BEADS

“A design from my book Beading and the Creative Spirit, these “Song” beads are made in herringbone and ladder stitches. By changing the colors & sizes of the beads, the increases & decreases, or adding different embellishments, many variations of the basic “Song” bead can be easily made.
½-1 day class

PEAPOD BRACELET

Variations of the Herringbone Stitch are used to make these Fun 'peapod' shapes in size 11 seed beads, pinch beads, gemstone beads & freshwater pearls. The clasp is a signature Ellsworth design.
1 day class

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL BANGLE

This colorful bangle is made using the Chevron Chain stitch which is a form of netting. It works up fairly quickly using size 8 seed beads in multiple colors with an embellishment bead along the outer edge. It can be made into a single, double or triple bangle. Beginners to advanced.
1 day class

WAVE BRACELET

The wave pattern in this bracelet is created by using 4 sizes of seed beads in succession and repeating the pattern throughout the bracelet. It is made using the flat gourd (peyote) stitch and is easy to learn. It can be worked up in many color variations using sizes 15, 11, 8 & 6 seed beads. The clasp is a simple gourd stitch toggle. Beginners to intermediate.
1 day class

RIVOLI EARRINGS

Add sparkle to your ears! These earrings are made using size 12mm Rivoli crystals, 3mm Swarovsky bicone crystals and size 15 seed beads in two colors. The bezel for the Rivoli is made using single needle right angle weave and previous experience in this stitch is important. Intermediate to advanced.
1 day class

BLEEDING HEART NECKLACE

There are many wonderful Ukranian netting stitches to play with. This necklace is made using 4mm Swarovsky bicone crystals and two colors of size 11 seed beads. It is a Chrystyna Prokopovych design. Beginner to advanced.
1 day class

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL COLLAR

Inspired by the colorful large beaded collars of the Samburu women of Kenya and costumes of the Cirque du Soleil performances, this collar is made using two variations of netting stitches. The first is the St Petersburg Chain, the second is the Chevron Chain. Worked in size 8 seed beads, Swarovsky neon pearls and daggers, each necklace will be an eye-popper dazzler!
2 day class

BEADED CIRCLES OF COLOR & PATTERN

In this class, we will focus on making mandalas using glass beads stitched onto fabric that is stretched over an embroidery hoop. Basic bead embroidery techniques will be used to create 2-D and 3-D mandalas. The use of color and repetitive geometric patterns will be explored and participants will be encouraged to create their own personal mandalas using symbols and images that are relevant to them.
1-5 day class

STAR BANGLE

This project combines MRAW (Modified Right Angle Weave), peyote and herringbone stitches to make an elegant “Star Bangle”, using size 11 Miyuki Delicas. Participants will learn to make ‘horns’ and ‘wings’ as integral parts of the project.
1-2 day class

Agave Cuff

Inspired by the thorny and spiky plants of the American Southwest, this colorful cuff uses 3-dimensional geometric beading techniques that include flat peyote and herringbone stitches. Intermediate.

1 day class

Uxmal Pendant

Inspired by the vibrant colors of Mexican folk art and the ancient pyramids of Mesoamerica, this 3-D pendant is made with a modified form of right angle weave, peyote and herringbone stitches. It can hang on a beaded strap worked in tubular herringbone or a simple leather cord. Intermediate to advanced.

1-2 day class

Tulum Earrings

This is a scaled down version of the Uxmal pendant. The beading techniques include a modified version of right angle weave, peyote and herringbone stitches that were pioneered by Kate McKinnon for her Geometric Beading project. They can be made in a huge variety of colors that reflect the colors found in Mexican folk art.  Intermediate to advanced.

1 day class

Monet’s Garden Lariat

Inspired by Claude Monet’s exquisite gardens in Giverny, this lariat is made using ladder and tubular herringbone stitches. Branch fringe cascades around each herringbone stitch flower at the ends of the lariat ropes.  Intermediate to advanced.

2-3 day class

Steelstack Pendant

Inspired by Kate McKinnon’s project on Geometric Beadwork, the pendant is made with a hyperbolic insert. It’s made using a combination of peyote and herringbone stitches to make two warped squares that fit inside one another. The strap is worked in tubular herringbone stitch. Intermediate to advanced.

2 day class

Hawaiian Dream Song Necklace

Like the beauty of the natural environment on the islands of Hawaii, this necklace is bursting with gorgeous colors and shapes. Use tubular herringbone, ladder, square and peyote stitches to create your own tropical beaded garden. Intermediate.

2-3 day class