Gwen Fisher – Mathematical Bead Weaving – BeAd Infinitum – GwenBeads
Gwen Fisher – Mathematical Bead Weaving
BeAd Infinitum – GwenBeads
Presentation:
Join Gwen Fisher – Mathematical Bead Weaving – BeAd Infinitum – GwenBeads
Weaving beads is like three-dimensional embroidery with the beads as pixels. As such, many mathematical structures and patterns are naturally represented with bead weaving. In particular, many different kinds of symmetric structures can be realized with beads. Examples include polyhedra, flat tilings, space tilings, surfaces, and knots.
In terms of patterns, there are repeating patterns, of course, but we also have cellular automata. Cellular automata are algorithms that create complex visual designs that don’t necessarily repeat before we finish our project. The concept of cellular automata allows us to pick bead (cell) colors automatically. In other words, we choose a rule, or a set of instructions, to determine the color of each new bead as we stitch. The rule gives us a method for how to color the beadwork. This is different from the way we bead with a beading chart, where you see the complete arrangement of colors before you ever start stitching. With a chart, you know how the design will look before picking up a bead. In contrast, with CA, the mosaic of colors emerges, bead by bead, or cell by cell, as you weave.
Speaker Bio: Gwen Fisher earned her M.A. in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education. She was an Associate Professor of Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, specializing in the mathematical education of teachers. There, she wrote and taught a full course on mathematics and visual art. Around that time, in 2005, she began weaving beads. Soon thereafter, she started writing about her discoveries. She has served as an editor and reviewer for academic journals and as a speaker and exhibitor at conferences. She has published academic papers on mathematical bead weaving, felting, quilting, and mathematical art. She has sold thousands of tutorials for bead weaving, and has recently published a new book called, “Beading with Algorithms: Cellular Automata in Peyote Stitch.” Find her as “gwenbeads” on social media.
Visit Gwen on the web at: https://gwenbeads.etsy.com
DATE: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 6:45-8:30pm via zoom Meeting, the meeting will open at 6:45 and the presentation will begin promptly at 7pm.
COST: Free to members; $5.00 for non-members or purchase an annual membership for $25.
Payment for Non-Members ($5.00):
To prepare, please go to https://zoom.us/ and follow the directions to access Zoom®. Sadly, BSNC can not provide tech support.
Please RSVP to judysinclair@beadsocietyofnorcal.org. She will send out the Zoom meeting information prior to each class/speaker event and follow up with a reminder email. Spaces are limited, so please RSVP early.