August Program - Stash-buster Holiday Ornament

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
7:00 - 9:00 PM, Linekona Art Center
For the August program, Heather Tipon will lead a workshop to create a holiday ornament.
This ornament is a great way to use up beads. Lots of beads! The inspiration and patterns were found online through craft blogs and free project web pages. The idea is simple: Cut out a holiday shape on a sturdy, cloth-like background, and sew beads in random order onto the background. When the background is completely covered in beads, attach a backing piece to the stitched piece (you can sew this or use glue), attached a ribbon or create a beaded ornament hook, and you’re done.
Samples found online used beads in a monochromatic color scheme for the ornaments, but you can get as creative as you like (or use up as many old beads as you like!). I had a bunch of cheap, red beads in my stash that I wanted to try. They were mixed sizes and shapes, ranging from size 11 seed beads to 6mm rounds. My ideal mix of beads for this project includes 3-4 colors of size 11 seed beads, size 8 seed beads, and beads in all shapes, ranging from 2-3mm to 8mm. I would say a good mix of beads has more beads in the 4mm range than the larger, 6-8mm range. But that’s just me! Bring what you would like to try. A wider mix of bead sizes makes for a very interesting ornament.

Materials List - The materials called for in the original instructions (as found online):
- 1 small piece of wool felt (in coordinating color to your bead mix). I used scraps of ultra suede fabric and it worked just fine.
- Assorted beads
- Sewing or beading needle and thread (I used Fireline, but you can probably use C-Lon type thread, too.)
- Scissors

We will not have printed instructions of the project for you at the meeting (they’re really not necessary for the workshop). If you would like to preview and print the patterns and instructions for yourself, you can do so by going to the following link:

http://www.livingcreatively.com.au/projects/create_now_project.php?v=147

Otherwise, at the meeting, we’ll have the patterns available for you to trace onto your materials, and we’ll run through a quick set of instructions and tips prior to getting started. This is truly a project you can do while watching TV, talking on the phone, or a take-along project to do when you have some downtime outside of the home.
The sample on the right, above, is a partially-complete red wreath, made using the technique we'll be doing in the workshop. If you click through the link above to the project information, you will see beautiful samples in shades of blues and light purples.

2009 Community Service Project

Ipu key chains for the American Cancer Society
Many thanks to a Bead Society member who suggested making Ipu key chains. The American Cancer Society distributes Ipu key chains locally to help women learn the signs for early detection of breast cancer.
We will not be making the key chains during meetings. You can create the key chains at home with free kits. If you are interested in contributing your time, contact the Board or mention it during a meeting.
Information cards are handed out at local hospitals and health centers along with the key chains. I've scanned the front and back of the card so that you can see what the key chain looks like if you're not familiar with it. Click each image for a larger image if necessary.