Spiral Tube Workshop April 22, 2009

Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Linekona Art Center

For the April program, we are having a workshop on the spiral tube stitch. This project is a simple technique that has many possibilities. You can make a necklace long enough to go over your head without a clasp by creating a long continuous rope, or a shorter necklace with a clasp. A bracelet can be made either completely with the spiral tube or combined shorter sections with other components. You can also make earrings either with a continuous circular loop or short dangles of the spiral tube. The design may be made with one, two, or three colors of bugle beads connected by seed beads. Three colors of bugles gives a particularly intriguing spiraling design, with a single color of coordinating seed beads. Black or dark colors of beads and thread are not recommended for learning. After starting with size 2 or 3 bugles (about 1/4") and size 10 or 11 seed beads, try smaller sizes of bugles, along with size 14 or 15 seed beads and finer needles and thread, for a delicate piece. These involve many changes of thread, as it doesn't go very far, and you'll get a lot of practice tying, gluing, and burying knots.

Diane Fitzgerald has a downloadable color PDF on her Web site, http://www.dianefitzgerald.com/. I will also have some black and white copies of the magazine article; if you would like to be sure to get a copy of one of these black and white copies, call me as I don't want to copy more than necessary. If you have a collection of Bead & Button magazines, it's from the October 1994 issue. (from Dottie Rosinsky)

Spiral Tube materials list:

- Size 2 or 3 bugle beads, 1 to 3 colors
- Size 10 or 11 seed beads (not Delicas)
- Nymo D thread or Fireline 6 lb.
- Size 10 or 12 needle
- Hypo glue for knots
- Ceramic tray and/or beading mat
- Clasp (optional for necklace) or earwires (optional for earrings)