Assemblage | Mysite

beaded object class
unit 4
assemblage

So much of the work is done congratulations on making it this far, and even if you aren't ready to assemble give yourself a pat on the back, this isn't an easy project. Perhaps you see less steps than before and slowly the path is coming to an end.

I love the process of layering your pieces back together, figuring out what will be glued down first and last. Making adjustments where needed, thats one of the wonders of bead embroidery you can change just about anything. Don't take off your shoes just yet, there is still a ways to go but you got this.

the story of the teapots

Many moons ago I was invited to exhibit a beaded teapot to a gallery on the east coast. Sadly I can't remember the name of the gallery but it was a yearly event. You know by now how I love a challenge so of course I accepted.

At first I was uncertain of how I was to make a beaded teapot, than I realized all I needed was a basic teapot already made that I could than embellish. So a hunting I did go, secondhand stores were full of things like this. I stayed away from the really large pots as I did want to finish it in time.

I ended up with a small white teapot simple in design and color. I used the masking tape technique to make a pattern for the ultra suede foundation I was to bead upon. This special little teapot is shown above with the owl and will always be one of my favorites.

My second teapot "Tea Party" also shown above top was a bit more challenging. I didn't actually use the masking tape technique for this design. I found that because there was no vertical curve to the pot, I was able to use paper to make a pattern. The hand painted shell cabochons were large and flat so epoxy clay was placed behind them to make up for the horizontal curve. In both cases of the teapots above the leather spouts were made first. Than the beaded sections layered on top, these are things you will need to think about as you reassemble your piece.

I have always found no matter the object I am beading upon that gluing the beaded skins back onto the object is so rewarding. I think you will find this to be true as well. Yes it can be challenging but the results are so rewarding.

Gluing

Materials needed

• aleene's super thick tacky glue

• Masking tape

• Popsicle stick or toothpicks

• patience

Gluing your sections back together is my favorite part. All the work you did is now finally coming together. You get to see your object come to life.

Before pushing forward take a moment and consider which section should be glued first. In many objects it won't make a difference but in others objects it can make a big difference. So please take the time to think about it.

It's important that your glue is spread to the very edges of your sections, especially if you are not planning on stitching them together. I prefer using Tacky Glue as it is easier to use and clean up with water, plus it gives you the flexibility of moving the sections if needed.

If you do have to stitch a few sections together, do it while your glue is still pliable, rather than waiting the next day or so. This way the suede and glue can work together.

Depending on your object, sometimes it is easier to add the glue to the object rather than the back of your bead work.

I learned the hard way when gluing the tila beads to the base of the pot, I though I could get away with using Tacky glue, but in fact I had to remove them and use Epoxy glue....lesson learned.

Video below

stitching

Materials needed
• Needle and thread
• pliers
• beads to weave
• patience

You may not need to stitch your sections together and if you do prepare to be challenged. You may need to bend your beading needle so that it will fit into a curve better like an upholstery needle. You may need to use pliers to help pull the needle where necessary.

Sometimes depending on your object a seam will need to be covered. If you planned ahead it shouldn't be to difficult and the end result will way out weigh the challenge.

You can hide your knot by coming in behind the foundation, or if exiting pushing your needle through the foundation and cutting the thread. If your object is soft like a foam ball I have used head pins to add beads and flowers by just pushing them into the foam, this is a great way to cover a seam. If your seam is just to impossible to sew why not glue a components to cover it.

In unit 5 we will be exploring with Epoxy clay and all your worries may just disappear.