Sculptural Vessels with Right Angle Bead Weaving

About Sculptural Vessels with Right Angle Bead Weaving

Participants in this class will explore different ways to use Right Angle Weaving (RAW) with beads to create and construct one of a kind sculptural objects and vessels. Basic skills with this technique are required as the springboard to upscaling recyclable and found objects, creating fantasy or real life figures, and constructing free standing boxes and containers.

Week 1 offers a review of the basic technique before exploring how to use the cloth like woven beads to cover a small object as well as how to build 3 dimensional designs on the transformed object. Week 2 is an exploration into creating creatures and figures by combining RAW with trapunto. And in weeks 3 and 4, participants will create a decorative double walled box and lid.

The capacity for this class is 50 students.

Class Materials

- Note: the smaller the number in beading supplies the larger the item is. So a size 8/0 bead is large and a size 11/0 bead is small and then they get tiny. I buy most of my bead supplies from Shipwrecked Beads in Oregon. https://www.shipwreckbeads.com/
- Beads – For beginners, I suggest black and white in size 8mm glass round seed beads for learning the basics. Experienced students may work with any size bead in any two colors they like but I suggest a size 10mm bead glass seed bead and that they are two high contrasting colors. Please stay with the round seed beads if RAW is new to you. https://www.shipwreckbeads.com/Beads/seed-beads/rocaille-seed-beads
- Bead Needles – I like the John James needles. They make short and long needles for bead weaving. I prefer the long ones for RAW technique since we “pick up” more than one bead at a time. You may also use embroidery needles, just make sure the eye of the needle will fit through the hole in the bead. A size 13 needle will work with 8/0 to 11/0 beads. https://www.shipwreckbeads.com/Bead-Embroidery-Needle-Sizes-10-12-4pk
- Thread – I like to use Size D thread as it fits the hole of most bead sizes up to size 15/0 so it's versatile for my designs. https://www.shipwreckbeads.com/C-Lon-Beading-Thread-White-Size-D-78yd-Bobbin-1-Bobbin-Pack
- Embroidery scissors
- Flat Nosed Jewelry Pliers any small pair of pliers could work
- Light! Light! And More Light! I once had a desk lamp with an adjustable arm and a magnifying glass. I can’t tell you how helpful that was as I first learned this technique.
- Reading glasses are also a good option.
- A comfortable chair at a table that fits your body. I like the table at my belly button, maybe a little lower, when I’m seated at the table. You’ll want to keep your desk/work area clean and free of other objects.
- You may want a tray as a work surface that can also be moved out of the way with your project and supplies on it when you need to put this aside. Small paper plates would work as well. https://www.shipwreckbeads.com/Triangle-Pour-Tray-3-Inch