Right Angle Weave: My New Favorite Stitch!

So, I spent a few hours today finishing up some beading projects from The Bead&Button Show. Both of them use right angle weave, which isn't a stitch that I've used a lot. I mostly use peyote stitch for my bead weaving projects. That's probably because I'm self taught and that's the first stitch I taught myself. But, I have to tell you, I'm a convert. Right angle weave is so fast, so flexible, and so simple! I'm in love.

Jeannette Cook

I took "Jewels for an Empress" from zany, creative, and super patient teacher, Jeannette Cook. She warned us via e-mail multiple times before class started: You *must* know right angle weave. Well, I packed the directions and a few beads and figured I'd work on it in my hotel room as it was one of the last classes I'd be taking. But time got away from me and so I gave the directions a cursory look and figured I'd sit in the back of a crowded classroom and figure it out. Fast forward to class and there are only five other people. Oooops. And the empty seat (as I was the last to arrive in class) was in the front row. Yikes. The short version is, I picked it up quickly but I really sweated through the first hour. She was very nice about the whole thing. I felt terrible about it. I still do. As a teacher, I ought to know better.

Jeannette works with a doubled thread, which I found very difficult (because you can't go back as easily when you make a mistake). But, her technique for bezeling rivolis using right angle weave is pure genius! Here is a picture of her versions of the necklace:

And here is a photo of my interpretation:

As you can see, I altered the project a little bit to suit my own needs. I changed up the configuration, and used rubber tubing to create the necklace rather than a right angle weave chain. And, of course, I made earrings out of some of the remaining components.

Marcia DeCoster

The next day, I took another right angle weave class, this time with Marcia DeCoster. She is a very fun and easy going teacher. She had an enormous cult following in the room -- lots of women who have taken a million classes from her. Here is a very not good cell phone photo I took of her in class:

The class was called "Crystal Collage" and this is Marcia's version of the necklace we were learning to make:

And here is my way different interpretation:

I took the right angle weave bezeling technique and ended up making an asymmetrical necklace and these double tiered earrings. I love the look of the collage necklace, but I knew that I'd never wear it. This, however, I will definitely wear (and I'm looking forward to it)!

I was surprised to discover that Marcia's right angle weave bezeling technique is nearly identical to Jeannette's. Only Marcia uses a single thread. Either way, it's totally brilliant! I am definitely going to be doing a lot more right angle weave bezeling!

Thanks for stopping by!

Comments

[Miss M!]

You have way more patience than I! I learned how to do all those when I worked at a bead store, but I couldn't concentrate long enough to actually finish anything. I tend to prefer working with wire. I love wrapping things and making my own findings.

[Sue Clarke]

So this is what you do when you're not paper crafting or directing:) Very nice jewelry Julie.

[Nat]

woooowwww- amazing!!!! Love this!

[Melina]

Um just let me say, "WOW."

[Sarah C.]

Beautiful necklaces! Love your interpretation and colors. tfs! :)

[lpmkate]

gorgeous stuff Julie!!

[Cheryl]

Great stuff! I love the shape of those new square Swarovski crystals. Aren't they fun!!

[Cassie]

Those are just beautiful!!

[betsy]

OMG!!! These are really amazing! I never knew there was a beading show!

[betsy]

OMG!!! These are really amazing! I never knew there was a beading show!

[betsy]

OMG!!! These are really amazing! I never knew there was a beading show!

[betsy]

OMG!!! These are really amazing! I never knew there was a beading show!