Hi Everyone,
This is the schedule for classes coming up in 2020 so far! If you are interested in attending a class with me, please contact the following guilds or visit their pages below to learn about the registration fees:
May 2-3, 2020, Lace Museum in Sunnyvale, California: http://www.thelacemuseum.org/workshop-registration-150.php
May 16, 2020, Fine Line Art Studio in St. Charles, Illinois:
June 27-28, 2020 Shiloh Meeting Hall in Springdale, Arkansas with the Dogwood Lace Guild (Open to Public March 1st): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1478154875774329/
Returning Students:
While the class focuses on the basics, returning students can ask questions about more advanced technique and patterns during the weekend of teaching.
Tip for Finding the Tail End of Your Flower
While you're working on needle lace flowers, there will be times where you have various thread ends behind you work. A student from the Lace Guild of Oklahoma would always tie a knot on the tail end of her work before starting her piece. When it came time to remove the other strands and bits of threads, she could easily identify all the threads that were safe to cut away.
If you've ever made the mistake of cutting the tail end off your flower center, your center ring will open and the flower you worked on now becomes scrap. This idea will save beginners and skilled artists from making that mistake during the trimming process. Hope that tidbit helps!
Credit goes to Esther!
Adding Crystals and Beads
Every now and then I try to integrate Swarovski crystals and pearls into my pieces. I typically work with size 40 thread and have found the 3mm and 4mm crystals and pearls to work best for flower pollen.
For this particular piece, I tried making branches with a flat pattern, but found that it did not give the effect of looking like branches. I ended up working in the round for the branches and splitting the branch when necessary. The flower combination is a large rose with a small star flower, and some generic tiny filler flowers. Most of the techniques used for this piece can be found in the Intermediate and Advanced Pattern for Needle Lace book.
This hairpiece will be flying all the way to Saudi Arabia for an aerialist. Goodbye floral hairpiece! Hope your new owner will enjoy using you!