New Spring Session Classes for Joggles

I have been busy working on my classes for the Spring Session at Joggles, here is the line-up:

Corsages to Dye for II: May 25, 2010/three lessons

Do you find yourself wishing “if only I had a ribbon that was this color or that”, or “why didn’t it come in my favorite colors”? If your answer is YES, then let me invite you to take a colorful journey into the realm of dyeing your own RTD (ready to dye) ribbons. I will teach you how to prepare your ribbons then dye them to create one of a kind, creative and colorful ribbons. These ribbons will then be turned into magical works of floral art for your own “corsages to dye for”!

Scrumptious Scraps: June 11, 2010/5 lessons

Scrumptious bit and pieces of vintage laces are melded and stitched together to form a unique and beautiful base for your creative stitched designs. Once the lace scraps are turned into a base, I will show you how to dye the base and a variety of ribbons that can be later used in the embroidery and ribbon worked vignettes.

Flora Dora and Daisy Chain RAW Bracelets: Two for One! June 22, 2010/3 lessons

Do you have a wonderful stash of buttons and beads that are just waiting for the right project to come along? Well consider these beaded and buttoned up bracelets, which are made using two different Right Angle Weave techniques. The first bracelet simple and elegant the other feminine and charming; both take only a short amount of time to make.

Beadazzled Somemore Purse: July 6, 2010/4 lessons

This class delves deeply into the wonderful world of bead embellishment, exploring a wide variety of stitches and embroidery techniques. The sample that you will be stitching on can become a purse (using the pattern provided), a pillow or wall hanging, or whatever you choose. The techniques that will be covered are free-form peyote on fabric, free form bead embroidery, multi bead embroidery, attaching trinkets, buttons and charms with beads, and so much more. Your project will start with a beautiful batik fabric, a variety of seed beads in several sizes and colors combined with a collection of buttons, glass charms and larger beads. This class is a must for anyone who loves beads!

BEBE: Beginning Embroidery with Bead Embellishment: July 23, 2010/4 lessons

This is a great introductory class to traditional embroidery stitches with the added flare and dazzle that only seed beads can add. These stitches can be incorporated in any fiber design that you choose, whether it be an already stitched crazy quilted block, a strip pieced pillow top, or an appliquéd art quilt block. A variety of stitches are used in each separate embroidered design, a Base Stitch, a Design Stitch, and an Embellished Stitch. Additional embellishments will also be covered such as adding in buttons, sequins, large beads and charms.

The classes at Joggles are brought to you in a file/document format. The classes can run between three-five lessons, with a week between lessons. Joggles provides an online Forum format where teachers and students can communicate, ask questions, or show off their examples from class. I am a very dedicated teacher, and I want each student to be able to complete the project/s covered in the classes. I prepare each lesson’s document with photographed step-by-step pictures and detailed written instructions.

For a more detailed description of each lesson please visit my page at Joggles.

I hope to see you there! Enjoy- Christen

Reminder: New Winter Session Classes

Winter Session Classes

We are just wrapping up the Jardin de Grandmere class this week and I still have two more classes left in the Winter Session for Joggles.com.

Class: Ocean Rivers Start Date: Friday March 12 12, 2010 Cost: $45/4 lessons
This class will teach you a little bit about the freedom of expression the “free form peyote stitch” can bring to your technical repertoire. The launching point of your bracelet and your creative explosion will start with a simple grosgrain ribbon, a small collection of buttons, a variety of seed beads in several sizes and colors combined with a few small treasures. Bring your imagination and creative spirit…

Class: Corsages to Dye For Start Date: Tuesday March 30 2010 Cost: $35/3 lessons
Have you ever wished that you could dye your own ribbon, in the colors that you like the best? Using simple techniques, I will teach you how to create truly intriguing and colorful patterns with your dyes and ribbon. These ribbons will then be turned into magnificent works of art that you create by stitching petals and leaves for your own “corsages to dye for”!
Hope that you can make it! Christen

Things that "R GOOD 2 KNOW": Celluloid Buttons

Celluloid was invented in the 1870’s and was one of the first and most versatile of the man-made plastics. Even though celluloid is a thinner material than Bakelite some of the same techniques could be used to create items such as molding, stamping and machine tooling. Both celluloid and Bakelite plastics were used to make buttons, jewelry and other household items such as cutlery, telephones, bathroom essentials and more.

Today we will talk about the celluloid button, as you can see in the necklace “Deco Drama”, I really love celluloid buttons! The base of the necklace is a vintage French ombre ribbon, ruched, with a silk cord stitched for the tie. As you can see celluloid was definitely the theme here, using many of my favorite types of celluloid button: molded, tight-tops, French Ivory, glow bubbles, buffed and pierced.

Celluloid was a thinner plastic, and detailed shapes could also be created by pulling, hollow blowing, and extruding. The coloring of the celluloid button was often more diverse than that of the autumn and vibrant coloring of the Bakelite buttons.

This bracelet is made using vintage glass,celluloid and Bakelite buttons; these are stitched to a base of grosgrain ribbons and an old measuring tape.

Here are a series of bracelets that feature vintage celluloid, Bakelite and glass buttons. I made these using simple sewing techniques and materials so that the buttons would shine as the stars that they are!

• The first bracelet base is vintage picot edged grosgrain ribbon. The buttons that I used are celluloid “glow bubbles”, tight-tops and a few brown Bakelite.
• The second bracelet base is vintage cotton grosgrain ribbon. The heart shaped buttons are Bakelite and the cream colored buttons are celluloid.
• The third bracelet base is taffeta ribbon with a strip of grosgrain ribbon stitched down the center. The incredible green buttons are vintage celluloid “glow bubbles” and the black buttons are carved celluloid.

The versatility of celluloid made it extremely popular with button and clothing manufacturer’s, however the serious drawback to this material was that it is flammable! For further reading may I suggest a book I use frequently: Button Button Identification & Price Guide by Peggy Ann Osborne.

These buttons should not be stored in a closed glass or metal container because the fumes from the components that create the plastic will smell. Celluloid has a tendency to become brittle, so do not put these buttons in the dryer. If you need to clean celluloid try rubbing with a soft cloth or an old toothbrush to remove debris and to polish the surface. Celluloid buttons can have a variety of shanks such as self and metal; you will find many other plastics have celluloid shanks glued to the button because it was a less expensive material.

Thank you for letting me share somethings that "R GOOD 2 KNOW" with you. Christen

Ocean Rivers Bracelet 2- free form peyote

Ocean Rivers Sample 2:This is a sample of the class that I just finished teaching for Joggles.com.
The first sample was created in blues and purples. The stitching technique is one that I developed using free-form peyote on fabric.
The class was a success, and all of the students created marvelous examples of this creative embellishment technique.
I will be teaching two classes for the fall session, one will focus on ribbon work, one will be an art doll, so keep checking back for updates!
Happy stitching, enjoy!

Ocean Rivers Bracelet- free form peyote

This is a new project that I just created for Joggles.com. The base of the bracelet is a grosgrain ribbon, embellished with shell buttons and covered in beads stitched with the peyote stitch. This class will mark the first time that I have taught an on-line class, hope to see you there! Click here for class details.

Happy Stitching!