Beaded Adornments: 1 bead at a time

Susan J. Parks, beadsmith

"It's about adding one bead to another bead," says beadsmith Susan J. Parks when talking about the process of creating her exquisite beaded adornments. At the March meeting of the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild, Ms. Parks provided a demonstration on ladder, herringbone, peyote and coral stitches and showed examples of her beaded jewelry.

Susan has a BFA with an emphasis in jewelry and also studied at the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts in Alberta, Canada.

"Every culture in the world does beadwork," Susan says, and she enjoys blending influences, techniques and motifs from different cultures to create her own style of beaded adornments. She uses gradual changes in colors, values and shades to create vibration, dimension and movement in her pieces.

Off-loom beaded hangings.

Beaded crochet bracelets and a beaded necklace by Susan Parks.

Visit Susan's web site, www.parks4adornments.com to see more of her beautiful beaded designs.

Show and Tell

Guild Show and Tell included a woven wrap, 3D beaded pieces, various knitted and crocheted items, a sewing kit from recycled blue jeans, and an antique weaving device that was obtained at a local estate moving sale.

Woven wrap.

3D beading and 3D crochet.

Hand knit baby pants.

Recycled pockets from blue jeans made into a sewing kit.

Antique weaving device.

Fleece blankets find good homes

Meet Schroeder. He and his friends at the Pet Placement Center of Chattanooga were the recipients of fleece blankets made by members of the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild.

Here's Schroeder:

"Wow! Look at all the nice soft blankies the ladies from the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild brought to us."

"Hey guys, com' on check these out... they are really soft..."

"We like to romp and play here at the Pet Placement Center. We especially like when people visit, adopt us and take us home with them."

"... all this romping is making me sleepy..."

"I think I'll snuggle up on my new blankie and take a little snooze."

Additional fleece blankets were donated to RIVER, the Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals. Angie, a technician at RIVER, thanked the guild on behalf of the staff, dogs and cats that will love the blankets and put them to good use.

Thank You from RIVER!

The McKamey Animal Center also received nine dog pillow beds. Guild members made the beds by stuffing flannel pillowcases with scraps of fleece.