February 23, 2020 10:00am-5:00pm
These orchid earrings are a statement piece made in honor of Cliff’s daughter, whose given birth middle name was Orchid, before adopting and gifting her a new name. In ancient Greece, orchids were a symbol of virility and fertility. Due to the flower’s symmetry, in China, they are considered “Lan Hua” or the epitome of human perfection.
This class features 12 different stitches including variations of stitches. During class we will cover Contemporary Geometric Beadwork Peyote stitching to shape the throat of the orchid, Modified Diagonal Peyote to shape the bottom sepal petals, and learn how to assemble the orchid. A pattern will be provided in class that contains step by step instructions which include the following stitches: Brick Stitch, Square Stitch, Prismatic Right Angle Weave, Ladder Stitch, Stitch in the Ditch, Peyote in the Round, Tubular Peyote, Circular Peyote, Flat Odd Count Peyote, and Flat Even Count Peyote.
Prerequisites: Proficient in Peyote Familiar with PRAW (not required but recommended) Even though only peyote is required, this definitely is an advanced class.
Cost: $100 for current BSNC Members, $125 for Non BSNC Members ($100 class registration fee + $25 Membership fee). Learn more about BSNC membership HERE.
Location: This class will be held at the Albany Community Center, located at 1249 Marin Ave, Albany, Ca. 94706. Map
Cancellation Information: Registration is limited to 20 students. All class registrations are final. If you have registered and are unable to attend you may send someone else in your place. Please contact us and we will try to re-sell your seat once the class has reached the maximum number of students. BSNC retains the right to cancel this class within 14 days of scheduled date due to low enrollment. A prompt refund will be issued if cancelled by BSNC.
A complete materials list will be provided to students after registration. An optional kit fee is available for purchase. Supplies required for students to bring to class :
- task light
- scissors and/or thread zapper/burner
- bead mat
- magnifiers if needed (we are using size 15º’s and Czech 15º’s so the beads are small) An exact bead list of quantities of various colors will be provided if that option is selected.
Optional Kit Fee: $60 payable to the instructor on the day of class. Includes the beads.
In Victorian England, these flowers are considered symbols of love, which is why Cliff had them as one of his wedding flowers. The Phalaenopsis orchid has just over 60 varieties that grow naturally in the wild, which is a small number compared to the over 35,000 species of orchid varieties that naturally exist. To pattern these beaded beauties, Cliff actually used one of his many orchid plants that he grows, dissecting one of the flowers to ensure it was anatomically correct and true to the original it is patterned after. For those who are proficient in peyote stitch, these earrings are a great exploration of how to shape flower petals using different peyote techniques. Each flower is made life-sized, true to scale and can be worn as earrings (as instructed here) or adapted to make a beautiful pendant.
About the Instructor
Cliff Swain-Salomon is an off-the-loom seed bead weaver known for creating non-traditional jewelry shapes and pushing the boundaries of color exploration. After injuring and losing use of both of his hands for over three years, he began beading when a friend recommended he try it as part of his hand rehabilitation therapy. Once he started, he was hooked. In all of his pieces, Cliff integrates over 30 years of study in multiple fields, including graphic design, painting, as well as apprenticeships with several medicine men and women, exploring sacred geometry and chromotherapy. His art has been featured in several publications and exhibits, including Bead & Button (October 2018, June 2019), Style Magazine, Facet Jewelry, Palos Verdes Arts Center, Conejo Valley Art Museum Show, and California Lutheran University, to name a few. Recently, Toho Beads also invited him to be a featured artist for their 2019 Toho Bead Challenge. The piece he designed for them is currently touring the United States and will continue through Europe before being brought to Japan in 2020 to be added to the Toho Museum’s exhibition. Cliff has won several awards for his work including the People’s Choice Award for Bead Dreams 2018 and Juror’s Selection at Placer Artists Studio Tour. Cliff teaches beadweaving at various stores and retreats, at the Bead & Button show (June 2019). He also has been an invited lecturer and teacher for various bead societies around the world.
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