Dahlia Garland Necklace

In this workshop, you will learn how to set a stone, embellish the bezel with beaded petals, and incorporate this pendant into an elaborate neckpiece.

Learn a multitude of embellishment techniques when creating this necklace, which was Bead of Show in Bead & Button's Bead Dreams 2003 competition.

What Techniques Students Need To Know Before The Workshop

A two day workshop in the "Dahlia Necklace" which delves into to realm of intense bead embellishment in the floral genre. Although a large project, this is great for anyone interested in learing structural beadwork. Intermediate level - prior knowledge of peyote stitch is recommended.

We will be offering a refresher class in flat peyote and spiral weave 2-3 weeks before the workshop.

Green and Red

Gold/Green/Purple

Materials Needed For the Workshop:
Participants should bring with them the supplies and tools listed below.
The instructor will also have kits available for purchase.
You may bring your own supplies, or these are also available for purchase at Be Dazzled Beads.

SUPPLY LIST

Size 11/0 Japanese seed beads (for the spiral weave core of the necklace)
- 10 grams of the inner color
- 30 grams of the outer spiral color
Size 15/0 Japanese seed beads (for embellishment and bezeling)
- Primary color: 20 grams (of one color)
- Secondary colors: 5 grams each of 4 or more different colors
Glass (or gemstone) cabochon; approximately 13x18mm
An assortment of glass leaves and flowers, Czech glass, fresh water pearls, magaztamas, etc. to use a embellishments
Silver hook-and-eye clasp (to make the closure mechanism)
Scrap leather (for backing the cabochon)

Size B or D Nylon tyhread (nymo, one-g, etc) in a color which matches the beads
Size 12 and size 13 English beading needles
Synthetic wax or beeswax
E6000 adhesive or double sided tape
Lighter
Small sharp scissors, like embroidery scissors
Work surface of choice
Lighting and magnification if needed [The classroom is well-lit, but you may want to supplement this by bringing an OTT-light or similar light. There are plenty of outlets.]

[All these materials are available at the shop.]
* Nymo thread, size B or D or Fireline size B or D thread.
* Beading needles (size 12).
* Beading wax (optional)

About Laura McCabe


www.lauramccabejewelry.com
www.justletmebead.com

Artist’s Statement:

For centuries those creative acts which have been most often associated with body adornment rarely have been accorded the status of Art. While beadwork has existed in virtually every culture throughout the world since the beginnings of modern man, and has played a significant role both spiritually (with amuletic properties) and socially (as an indicator of status), it is generally viewed as a functional craft rather than an Art form in its own right.

Beads and beadwork have, throughout time, maintained a universal appeal that links people across cultures and across the ages. Beads date back more than 40,000 years, and are a uniquely human phenomenon, not found amongst other primates or even earlier human species. In addition to serving the human needs of vanity, adornment, and social status, beads have a deeper, more spiritual aspect. They have provided us good fortune, protection from evil forces, and a link to a more spiritual realm (both through prayer beads , and elaborately beaded ritual body adornment).

From early hunter gatherers in the pre-agricultural age, to the Ancient Worlds of Egypt, Greece and Rome, onto Renaissance Europe, Tribal Africa, the Orient, Native America, the Victorian Period, and up through the Modern Era, beadwork has represented an uninterrupted tradition throughout time amongst virtually every culture on Earth. In a world of human differences, beadwork is a common link, fulfilling the most fundamental human needs.

It is in this history of ancient traditions, spiritual importance, timeless handcraft, and human commonality that the Art of Beads can be found. They represent more than precision handwork, personal adornment, or social significance. Each bead, beneath its lustrous surface, tells an age old story of human fear, human desire, and the human need for beauty.

By drawing on my education in historical costume and textiles and applying variations of Native American, African Zulu, and Victorian beading techniques to contemporary colors and designs, I strive to create beaded body adornment that celebrates and reincarnates the dying tradition of fine handcrafts, and helps to elevate beadwork to the status of Art , which it undeniably deserves.

Biography:

Laura Jean McCabe (b. 1976) is a primarily self taught beadweaver with an education in historical costume reproduction and restoration, and anthropology. She produces elaborately beaded body adornment that combines Native American, African Zulu, and Victorian beadweaving techniques with modern materials and color schemes. She exhibits her work in national and international beadwork exhibitions, and sells her finished work at boutiques and galleries throughout the United States, as well as through her website: www.lauramccabejewelry.com. She maintains a working studio in Mystic, Connecticut, and teaches beading workshops across the US and throughout the world.

Resume:

Laura McCabe
12 Roosevelt Avenue
Mystic, CT 06355
860.245.0455

Education:

September 1993 - March 1997; University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (historical costume restoration)
January, 2002 – 2003; University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut (anthropology and archaeology)

Exhibitions:

july 1998; Gleaming Treasures, Embellishment 1998, Sacramento, CA (finalist, seed bead work)
september - october 1999; USA Craft Today ‘99, Silvermine Guild Galleries, New Canaan, CT (finalist, jewelry)
june 2000; Bead Dreams 2000, The Bead and Button Show, Portland, OR (first place, finished jewelry)
july 2000; Gleaming Treasures, Embellishment 2000, Portland, OR (second place, finished jewelry; judges choice)
may - june 2001; The Art of Beads, The Mill Gallery, Guilford Handcraft Center, Guilford, CT (first place, jewelry)
may 2001; Bead Dreams 2001, The Bead and Button Show, Milwaukee, WI (finalist, seed bead work)
july 2001; Gleaming Treasures, Embellishment 2001, Portland, OR (best of show; first place, finished jewelry)
may 2002 - june 2004; Bead International (touring exhibition), the Dairy Barn, Athens, OH
june 2002; Bead Dreams 2002, The Bead and Button Show, Milwaukee, WI (finalist, seed bead work)
april 2003; Gleaming Treasures, Embellishment 2003, Chicago, IL (third place, seed bead work; third place, finished jewelry; judges choice)
june, 2003; Crafts National 37, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, State College, PA
june 2003; Bead Dreams 2003, The Bead and Button Show, Milwaukee, WI (best of show; first place, seed beads)
september, 2003; DeCordova Style, DeCordova Scupture Park and Museum, Lincoln, MA
september, 2003; Brave Destiny (surrealist art exhibition), Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, Brooklyn, NY
une, 2004; Bead Dreams 2004, The Bead and Button Show, Milwaukee, WI
june, 2005; ; Bead Dreams 2005, The Bead and Button Show, Milwaukee, WI (first place, finished jewelry[collaboration with Lisa Niven Kelly]; third place, seed beads)
May 2006; Bead International (touring exhibition), the Dairy Barn, Athens, OH
june 2006; Bead Dreams 2006, The Bead and Button Show, Milwaukee, WI (first place, seed bead work)

Other Awards:

april 2001; 3rd International Miyuki Beadwork Challenge, Caravan Beads, Portland, ME (honorable mention, body adornment)
april 2001; The Flower Challenge, Bead Need, Davie, FL (second place)

Publications:

february 2000, Your Work, Bead & Button Magazine
october 2000, Your Work, Bead & Button Magazine
november 5, 2000, Northeast Magazine, The Hartford Courant
june 2001, Up Close, Beadwork Magazine
april 2002, Up Close, Beadwork Magazine
june 2002, Facets, Lapidary Journal
july 2002, Facets, Lapidary Journal
october 2002, "Faery Vine Necklace" (how-to article), Beadwork Magazine
december 2002, "Just Let Laura Bead" (artist profile), Beadwork Magazine
april 1, 2003, "Let It Bead" (artist profile), The Westerly Sun
april, 2003, "Expand Your Memory" (how-to article), Bead & Button Magazine
summer, 2003, Front Cover, Bead Dreams Annual, Bead & Button Magazine
october, 2003, Your Work, Bead & Button Magazine
summer, 2003, Artist’s Statement, Ornament Magazine
summer 2004, Bead Dreams Annual, Bead & Button Magazine
October 2005, Your Work, Bead & Button Magazine
spring, 2006, Elle Accessories Magazine
october, 2006, Front Cover, Bezeled Cabochons (how-to article), Your Work, Bead & Button Magazine

Lunch Options:
The workshop will take a break for lunch. Within easy walking distance are these lunch places:
Applebees
The Yellow Porch
Sam & Zoes
Baja Burrito
Subway
Gyro Shop
Pizza Hut
Wendy's
Calypso Cafe
Mediterranean Cafe (short drive)
Cafe D' Pranza
Pfunky Griddle

Lodging:
If you are coming from out of town, the closest motels are
La Quinta Inn (Sidco Drive near Harding Place and I-65)
Red Roof Inn (Sidco Drive near Hading Place and I-65)

There are additional motels 1 exit south on I-65 on Old Hickory Blvd in Brentwood.

See:
Location, Lodging,
Access by Car, Plane