Intro to Geometric Bead Weaving Series with Kathryn Shriver

8-Part Series Workshop

Date: Thursdays, January 9-February 27, 2025

Time: 6pm-9pm

Description: Intro to Geometric Bead Weaving is an all-levels course which will introduce participants to the basics of off-loom sculptural geometric beadwork. These techniques are simple, but can create exciting, complex projects relevant to jewelry design, soft sculpture, textile arts, and fashion embellishments.

Participants will learn basic bead weaving stitches, how to weave shapes in glass and complex forms with seed beads, and how to join these shapes together to create fabrics, forms, and small structures. Aftera series of demos and exercises, students will design their own project; this may be a small sculpture, a wearable piece, an ornament, or purely experimental.

During the workshop, students will receive one-on-one guidance from the instructor, a series of materials, patterns and instructional resources to take home, and design inspiration from sample projects. All necessary materials will be provided by the instructor, but participants may be required to purchase extra beads to complete their projects.*Resources for buying supplies are listed below, and more will be provided during class.

*It is the instructor's goal to make this workshop as accessible as possible; if purchasing extra materials for a project is an undue financial strain, participants may work with the instructor to create a project that can be completed using provided materials.

Tuition: $265 + $45 materials fee

Materials: The instructor will provide ample materials for class use, but the variety of color, size, and brands of beads, needles, and threads available will not be exhaustive. Participants who have strong preferences or specific visions for their projects should bring their own materials. Guidlines for bringing materials are listed below.

Beads: Instructor will provide a selection of glass seed beads in different colors, shapes, and sizes. At least 50g and two different colors of glass cylinder beads (such as Miyuki brand Delicas or Toho brand Aikos) in size 0/8, 0/10, or 0/11 are recommended for this workshop, but any glass seed beads will do. If purchasing your own, they can be purchased after the course begins.

Needles: Each student will be provided two size 11 beading needles. Needle threaders will be available for use. Size 10, 11, or 12 long beading needles are ideal. Quilting and embroidery needles may not be slim or long enough to string glass beads.

Thread: Nylon beading thread in a limited selection of colors will be provided. Participants may bring their own thread in preferred colors if desired. Fireline and Nymo threads are big favorites for many beaders. Quilting threads and embroidery flosses are not ideal, as they shred easily.

Bead Mat: Small pieces of felt will be provided for participants to lay out beads. Students may also bring their own beading surface; velvet trays for jewelry display and small dishes work well for this too.

Scissors: Instructor will bring a selection of scissors to share. If you'd like to bring your own, small, needle-nosed scissors are best.

Sketchbook/notebook & writing utensil: Basic pen and paper will be provided, but participants may bring their own tools for note taking and project planning if desired.

Note that while participants may bring their own supplies for the workshop, they will still need to pay the materials fee so they can take advantage of the provided patterns and supplies (you will be able to take these home with you to finish your projects and experiment further!)

If students wish to purchase supplies especially for this workshop, Caravan Beads and Fire Mountain Gems are online resources with a wide selection. Crystal Bead Bazaar has a selection of beads for sale and is close to Contemporary Craft on Butler St.

Location: Contemporary Craft (5645 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201)

Cancellations and Refunds: Workshop cancellations are decided three business days before the start date. If workshops must be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire class fee will be refunded through Eventbrite, or you may leave your workshop fee in your Contemporary Craft account for future workshops.

Refund Policy: Student refund requests must be made at least three business days before a class begins. There will be a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given without three-business days notice. Processing of refunds takes approximately three weeks.

If you require accessibility accommodations, please let us know by calling 412.261.7003 and we are happy to assist you.

About the Artist

Kathryn Shriver is a visual artist from Western New York, now based in Pittsburgh. She uses a variety of media and domestic raft forms in her work to explore perceptions of artistry and self-expression through the lens of rural, working-class background. Her practice spans sculpture, drawing, video, writing, and metalwork, and has a particular focus on glass bead weaving methods. Kathryn holds an MFA in Painting & Drawing from Concordia University (Montreal). Her work has been shown across the US and Canada with Studio Sixty Six (Ottawa), Tempus Projects (Tampa), Gallery 621 (Tallahassee), Sager Reeves Gallery, and Kingfish (Buffalo, NY). Kathryn also has a special interest in arts-based research, and recently completed and Art & Research fellowship with the Contemporary Geometric Beadwork project.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Contemporary Craft, 5645 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, United States