Feb 18 Bead Weaving on a Loom Workshop, February 25, 2012

Saturday, February 25, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  resident artisan Alison Oman will lead a workshop on bead weaving on a loom for students aged 16 and above at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn in Uniontown.

The $60 class fee includes all materials including the loom that students may keep. Registrations are required by February 18.

Register online on the calendar page at www.artisanbarn.org or call 509-229-3414. All students will work on the same pattern, but each may choose a color palette. Go to the calendar listing on the website to see the necklace.

Beadweaving can be therapeutic, calming, thoroughly absorbing…. and addictive! Join this small class and learn to weave beads on a loom while creating a beautiful amulet bag necklace. You will learn: how to ‘dress’ and weave on the loom; techniques for removing the finished piece from the loom; how to add a decorative neck loop; and finally, you will learn techniques for adding a colorful, flowing fringe to finish the necklace.

At the age of ten Alison fell in love with two things simultaneously – horses and drawing! She learned to ride in the fields and parks around London and she began her journey into the arts. She continued that journey throughout high school and college, where she studied printmaking, photography and, of course, drawing. Then, while visiting Oregon in 1974 she became enthralled with the American West, its horses, romanticism and grand vistas.

Twenty years later, now an American citizen, she ‘found’ beads! She’s still drawing designs for her beadwork and enjoys every minute of working on her looms creating small beaded tapestries of everyday life, travels and more. Alison shares her love of bead weaving by teaching in the LC Valley, and her work has been shown and sold in London, Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston’s Simple Reflections, Moscow’s Prichard and Third Street Galleries; and Yakima’s Larson Gallery.

All materials (beads, loom, thread) will be supplied by the instructor. Students may keep the loom. Optional: if you have a good light, (such as an Ott Light) please bring to class. For this beginner’s class, larger, more easily handled beads (size 8) will be used.

Artisans at the Dahmen Barn is in the big white barn behind the famous iron wheel fence just off highway 195 in Uniontown. The non-profit creativity center is open Thursday through Sunday 10 am to 4 pm January and February, then until 6 pm beginning March 1. The three storey facility is fully handicap accessible and has no daily admission fee. Information: www.artisanbarn.org or 509-229-3414.