Creative Process

Tapestry Necklaces

First, I make a simple loom on which to construct the piece, then I slip the beads onto the warp threads and arrange them in place.  Next, I create a design by weaving the various colored threads with a tapestry needle and packing them with a fork as I go.  I love the limitless creative  possibilities that this technique offers and often feel like I am "painting with yarn".  I had learned of this art form through a wonderful book, Beads and Threads, by Helen Banes  (co-authored with Diane Fitzgerald, 1993, Flower Valley Press, Rockville, MD).

Beaded Pendant Bags

I begin by stringing several yards-worth of seed beads onto cotton thread, then I knit the tiny bag on size 0000 needles.  The beaded bag is created through a process of knitting several stitches alternately with sliding various sized groups of beads up the thread.   I then sew the sides of the bag together and add embellishments and neckstrands of my own design.    My bags are adapted from a pattern found in Theresa Williams' book Bead Knitted Pendant Bags (1995, 1996 BagLady Press, L.L.C.,  Evergreen, CO).

Devon Street Studio

Needlewoven Tapestry Necklaces  -  Beaded Pendant Bags  -  Bead Embroidery

Bead Embroidery

Designs created with seed beads, patience, and carefully-placed embroidery stitches.   Another fun technique learned from another inspirational book - The Art of Bead Embroidery, Heidi Kummli and Sherry Serafini (2007, Kalmbach Publishing Co., Waukesha, WI).

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