Fall 2012

*Please note: This class will be held off-campus in Squam teacher Terri Dautcher's uber-inspiring studio! This is the studio that all the other studios talk about...

Gypsy Heirloom is a 1-day crochet beaded/talisman necklace jewelry workshop. This is a very unique, fun technique that looks so great in many variations. Involving silk thread, a crochet needle, and a fanciful selection of beads and charms that will tell the story that you want to carry with you.

I plan to incorporate some of the simpler cold jewelry techniques that I use in my metal-smithing studio such as metal charm letter stamping and wire wrapping to bring personalization into our charms and trinkets.

Think of this as a talisman piece that will have a collection of your favorite charms, letters, names, numbers, beads (cultured pearls and semi precious stones) incorporated in to the crocheted necklace in a cascade of powerful symbolism.

Plan to bring some of your own small, precious charms and findings that you think you’d like to use. Be really creative; bring anything that sparks the idea of talisman, even if it does not seem quite typical. We will explore how to take these objects and turn them into charms. Drilling holes, adding ribbon, using antique buttons, a broken piece of china. Use your imagination and collect away!

If you have never done any beading or crocheting do not worry. These skills are very easy to pick up fast. If you love beads and charms this is the day for you!

I will be offering a kit that will include:
2 silk thread bead strings/ needles attached
6 silver oval disc charms for letter and number stamping
1 set of sterling clasps and end caps for the closure *for super long necklaces clasps are not necessary as I will teach other creative means of closure.
10 semi precious stone beads and 10 cultured pearl beads
I will also have a selection of cast charms available for purchase for very affordable prices - ranging from $2 to $15 each. Not necessary, but there if you want them.

Materials List:
A crochet needle on the small to medium size. Bring a couple different sizes if you have them.
Needle nose pliers
Extra silk beading thread in the color of your choice. Stay within the 2-4 mm size unless you have beads with large enough holes.
Beads, charms, trinkets and clasps of your fancy.
A bead tray.