Beaded Bag Tutorial

Over the next few weeks I will be blogging a tutorial on how to bead a handbag.  My friend and assistant Heidi will be constructing her own bag.

Not all the techniques I use will be demonstrated in this tutorial, but the techniques shared will be a good reference for starting your own bag.  Eventually you will develop methods that comfortably allow you to achieve your design goals.

Step 1:

Choose a Bag

Bags suitable for beading can be found on etsy, eBay, at the local thrift store, or in grandma's closet.  You may want to get more than one if you don't have a definite design in mind.  Sometimes the shape of the bag helps to determine the design.  

Generally it is good to choose a hard sided bag which will help to support the weight of the beaded work.

Size is always a consideration. It's good to have an idea of what you might be carrying in the bag.  Generally smaller bags are better, although they can be more costly. Heidi wanted to be sure her bag was able to accommodate her phone.

When constructing a purse ask yourself: Where, when, and how are you going to use this bag? What impression to you want the bag to make.  Will it tell a story?

Here are three possibilities.  Although the shape of the red purse is very cute it barely holds a phone.

It's time to ask yourself the suggested questions and think about a design element.

Elk Hall Tree - Western Design Conference

Here is a close up of the finished beaded panel of the Elk Hall Tree submitted for judging at the Western Design Conference in Jackson Hole Wyoming in September 2015.

The six geometric designs flanking the bugling elk are traditional crow mirror bag designs.

The bugle of the elk is interpreted by circles of mirror traveling off into the distance.

The green foliage of the trees were laid in a "crazy" lazy stitch.
The panel was attached to red suede.

The hall tree bench was constructed out of oak with stone insets which reference the Tetons.

The arms and frame around beaded panel mimic the curving negative space seen around elk antlers.  

                                              Four pairs of elk antlers are         attached to the oak frame.                                                                 

Imagine the transitioning from the indoors to the outdoors, or visa verse, and sitting on this throne like bench constructed of natural materials which embraces the sights and sounds of life in the mountains. It would surely incite reverence and gratitude for the opportunity to experience the majestic western landscape.