November

Kits include 36 unique components, many vintage and discontinued parts, 35 grams of precious metal beads, 150 pearls, 85 2mm crystal ab 5000’s, 5 10mm fantasy stones, the porcelain cabochon (choices at left bottom row, ultrasuede, glue, 3 spools of thread, and so on. 

The basic kit as pictured is $198 and the upgraded kit is $215 which includes an additional 16g of Miyuki custom (made for me only) 24kt gold lined aqua beads and 14/20 gold filled components plus vintage twisted turbine beads which are more expensive than the baroque bicones.

Peyote

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to study with a Tibetan lama. He taught me how to meditate to help improve my health and lower my stress levels.  At the time, I was a college professor, teaching at a holistic medicine school and had my own private practice.  While working with the lama, he shared many of his tradition’s teachings including the concept of what a bodhisattva is. 

In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is an enlightened being who has put off entering paradise to help others achieve enlightenment.  They are believed to be highly evolved spiritual beings that display immense compassion for all humanity and beings on this planet. Many have compared bodhisattvas to other spiritual leaders, saints, and prophets including Jesus, the Virigin Mary, Kuan Yin (Guanyin), some archangels, Moses, and even Mother Teresa.

A beautiful legend is that Kuan Yin was on the threshold of heaven when she paused and heard the anguished cries of the world. She then returned to earth to help all who are suffering. Kuan Yin is the protectress of women, sailors, merchants and children. The meditation for healing with the energy of Kuan Yin literally translates, “Hail to the jewel in the lotus!”  To honor her and this story, the box is crowned with a lotus flower surrounding a porcelain cabochon designed by Mindy Gould, with an image of a gentle woman meant to reflect the energy of Kuan Yin. 

The shape of the box is designed to give a nod to the Chi Lin Nunnery in Hong Kong, whose halls are lined with statues of Kuan Yin, Buddhas, and Goddesses. The lid is lined with red vegan ultra suede.  The color red is used in several cultures to represent auspiciousness, wealth, protection, and connection to the Divine.

This two day class is an in depth look at the versatility of geometric wings (a shape created by a series of stacked increases without the use of consistent decreases like contemporary geometric beadwork horns use). They can be used to create graceful petals, flying buttresses on buildings, ornate decorations, or many other unique shapes.  Throughout this project, students will learn how to make stacked wings, upside-down wings, seamed wings, and beams.

The project includes one of three porcelain focals, all the beads necessary to make the project, fantasy Austrian crystal stones, over 130 Austrian pearls and crystal beads, Japanese seed beads (including precious metal plated), and many other unique elements. Adorning the upper roofline of the lid are vintage baroque bicone beads or twisted cathedral beads (depending on the colorway you choose). They were custom made for Jme Lynn while she was on a trip to the Czech Republic.  She was wanting to capture the shape of the beads on a bracelet that her great grandmother used to let her play with when she was a child.  Unfortunately the factory had closed during WWII and so she found someone to reproduce them for her in limited quantities and colors.  

This is an advanced project that mainly uses size 11 delicas and size 11 rocaille seed beads with a few 8º, 11º demis and 15º beads as well.  The piece begins with two small rows of backstitched embroidery and builds with bead weaving off of that.  Students will need to know how to do peyote, RAW, and CRAW as a prerequisite.  While knowledge of backstitch embroidery isn’t required, it is helpful.  Also, there is some minor wirework as part of the class to turn the baroque bicones/cathedral beads into hanging charms.