Workshop: The Circle Game (Beading, Embroidery) with Lisa Binkley

Circles can be found throughout the natural world and in human designs from diverse cultures and across millennia. Circles appeal to us on so many levels—they are simple and elegant; they’re curved, organic, and smooth, with no sharp corners; they evoke a comforting sense of completeness and totality; they’re in the hugs that embrace us and the nests that protect baby birds. Circles are as familiar as the dot of an “i” or the period at the end of a sentence. They come to us in images of the Earth from space. Circles are as tiny as a subatomic particle and as large as a black hole.

In this class we explore and create a sampler of circular motifs in bead embroidery. Working with a wide variety of beads we will learn, design, and stitch a diverse range of circular forms that could be used on art quilts, garments, and other fiber art.

Some previous embroidery experience is recommended.

Students should bring with them to class:

* A small pair of sharp scissors

* A bead scoop or small spoon for scooping up loose beads

* A bead cloth for holding loose beads

* A portable task lamp

* A pen or pencil for note-taking and possible sketching in the provided booklet

* OPTIONAL: Any additional beads, buttons, threads you might wish to use