Student Orientation & Curriculum Guide 
Curriculum
Electives: Fiber Arts

It was inevitable that more and more fiber artists would incorporate beads into their designs with fiber, textiles, fabric and cloth.   And it was equally inevitable that more and more bead and jewelry artists would incorporate fiber into their works.   Tassles, beaded embellishment, crocheting with beads, knitting with beads and yarn, -- the synergy is boundless.

Course Electives:

BEAD KNITTING
Learn to make bead-knitted bags using knitting techniques and beads! For the first beginner class, you do not have to know how to knit - the instructor will teach you. Even for those more experienced knitters, some learning is often required in using the very thin 0000 knitting needle and very small beads with fiber.
BK0101: Beginning Bead-Knitting: Beaded Shell-Edged Necklace Bag For The Beginner
BK0151: Christmas Beaded Bag Earrings
BK0201: Loop-Fringe Necklace Bag with Frame
BK0301: Straight-Edge Over-Netting Necklace Bag with Frame

FIBER ARTS
These classes and workshops introduce the student to the mechanics of various fiber arts, where beads, usually as embellishment, are used to enhance the resulting textures.
FIBER0101: FELTED AND BEAD-EMBELLISHED BUTTONS

HEMP
The hemp classes teach about knotting, braiding and bead embellishment.   The skills and techniques are applicable to any similar stringing material, where a macrame approach to jewelry design will be applied.
HEMP0101:  Introduction to Hemp Knots and Braids - Friendship Bracelet
HEMP0102:  Simple Hemp Macrame Bead Embellishment - Embellished Choker Necklace
HEMP0103:  Macrame Jewelry With Rattail - Fashion Friendship Choker
HEMP0104:  Advanced Hemp Macrame - Watchband With Toggle Clasp

BEAD EMBROIDERY
These classes teach how to piece materials together into project designs, some sewing and stitchery-embroidery, and some bead embroidery embellishments.
EMBR1001: Silk Ribbon Embroidery
EMBR1002: Stitch and Trim Sampler
EMBR1003: Heirloom Jewelry Organizer


Tassles
Bead Crocheted Bags
Surface Embellishment
Kumihimo
Braiding with Beads
Embellishing with mirrors
Using bullion as beads

Usha Shrikant Summer Workshops
Usha Shrikant lives near Bombay India, and spends about 4-6 weeks in Nashville each year.   During this time, she shares her knowledge about bead embroidery, embellishments using mirrors and beads, using bullion as beads, and the culture and history of bead weaving and bead embellishment in India.