Bead crochet is one of those skills that always inspires awe in me. The feel of it. The look of it. The perfection of the stitch. The way the tiny seed beads line up and fit together like perfect little peas in a pod. If you feel the same way and have been chomping at the bit to learn this skill, we have a 2 part class starting this weekend taught by our friend Sharon Hanson. You can check out her website to see more of her work and read a little bit about her here:
http://www.knot-cha-cha.com
I asked Sharon to tell us a little bit about herself. Thank you Sharon!
How long have you been making things and what was your first interest in this area?
At age nine, an aunt taught me how to crochet and my mother taught me to use her sewing machine and to embroider. Up until that time I had been enthralled with playing dress up in my mother’s cast-off accessories. Now, new worlds of design opened as I learned to sew, crochet, and embellish my own accessories. In high school, I taught myself to knit from a book, and in college discovered a love of beads. New techniques and skills keep presenting themselves for learning—like felting, spinning fiber, and plying yarn with beads.
What/Who inspires you?
Originally it was my mother who inspired me and encouraged me to make pretty little things to wear. Later theater and costume history studies added the inspiration of many wonderful eras of dress. The most inspirational periods for me are the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the roaring twenties, and the thirties.
What is your favorite medium to work in?
Fiber and beads.
What do you do when you are feeling “stuck” creatively? What helps you get back into the creative mode?
Generally there is the opposite problem. Too many ideas come too quickly. A few years ago I started a design notebook in which I sketch ideas and make notes about design ideas and production steps. It helps keep me sane.
Do you have any rituals that go along with your creative time?
While designing new pieces I generally work in silence in a meditative frame of mind in which I experience a kinship with the materials and the construction methods being used. When I am working on more production-oriented tasks like making things for my business, Knot-Cha-Chá!™, I like listening to world music like Spanish flamenco, Portuguese fado, and tango vals. You might also find me working while watching old Ginger Rogers-Fred Astaire movies.
What is something you think people would be surprised to know about you?
Well, perhaps it would not be a surprise to you, given the name of my business, but I am an amateur social dancer who enjoys doing waltz, tango, foxtrot, swing, cha-cha, salsa, and disco dancing. I love searching for a fabulous vintage dress to wear out dancing and then designing my own accessories to go with it.
Don’t miss the chance to meet Sharon and learn this wonderful skill! Here’s the 411 on the class starting this Sunday:
Learn to fashion a circular rope of crocheted cord and beads into a bangle bracelet. Class will be taught in 2 sessions, giving the student ample time to completely finish their piece.
Prerequisite:
Basic crochet knowledge including ability to work a chain stitch and a slip stitch. Experience working with thread and a small hook is helpful but not required.
$70, Two 3-Hour Days
- Pt 1: Sunday, February 27, 11:30am – 2:30pm
- Pt 2: Sunday, March 6, 11:30am – 2:30pm
Preregistration is a must! See you soon!
Share on Facebook
