Students will learn two distinct beadwork techniques, including pattern making for future beaded earrings. Day 1 Participants will gain skills through designing beaded fringe earrings using bugle beads and porcupine quills. Day 2 Participants will bead concentric circles using colors of their own design around sliced deer antler or a cabochon if preferred. Participants will be able to build on skills learned throughout this course. Emphasis will be placed on Anishinaabe beadwork styles including observations about floral designs for future projects. Students will come away with the skills to finish two sets of earrings and may complete them during the course.

Skill/experience details: Experience with sewing by hand is a helpful knowledge base. The course involves stitching tiny seed beads to materials of various thickness including interfacing, wool and leather. We will be working with size 11 seed beads.

Physical ability notes: Hand dexterity and hand strength is required (squeezing pliers, grasping to pull or push a needle through various material weights are examples of the hand strength required). Students will have a table top light provided. Please bring glasses or other vision aids (such as magnification) that you may need. We will be seated for most of the course, should you need a ‘standing desk height’ or alternative to sitting, please state so in your registration. Participants may move about the room or make adjustments as needed.

This course is open to students ages 14+. Youth ages 8+ are welcome to register with an adult. Adult/child pairs will complete two projects and pay one materials fee. A 25% tuition discount applies to the youth registrant when registering with a full-paying adult; call to register.

Required Tools

• All required tools and materials will be provided.

Optional Tools

• Notebook and pencil for drawing techniques or designs.
• Participants may bring their own beads to add to their designs.
• Please bring glasses or other vision aids (such as magnification) that you may need.