Purple Apple Arts

BeadWork, Classes and Retreats by Sue Swanson

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Classes and Retreats

 
Purple Apple Arts welcomes you!

Fall and Winter 2026

I offer private classes customized to your group 
and special classes in my Woodbury home. 
Please email for details swansonmn@comcast.net. 


The following classes are my public offereings:

Classes at White Bear Center for the Arts
Register at whitebeararts.org 

 Fiber Open Studio

Join us at our fiber open studio, where creativity and community come together. We work on projects, share ideas and inspire one another. All types of fiber art that can be done at a table are welcome. Come and be a part of our vibrant community of makers! 

2 Fridays a month, 1:00-3:00 PM

November 7 and 21 

December 5 and 19

January 9 and 23

February 13 and 27

March 13 and 27

April 10 and 24

 ID: 62076

Free with registration ($20 suggested donation)

Adults, teens 12+, all levels

ZENTANGLE STYLE DRAWING

If you love to doodle and want to learn some new patterns, this class is designed for you.

Regardless of how much previous experience you have, it’s fun to come together with a group to improve your skills and expand your practice.

Tangling and doodling are meditative drawing methods that use simple repetitive strokes to

build patterns combined to make small works of art.

Date: Saturday 1/24 10:00-12:00

Materials: $12.00 payable to instructor - all materials included

Age/Level: Adults, Teens 14+ Beginning 1

 WHITE PENS ON BLACK PAPER  - ZENTANGLE STYLE DRAWING

In this class we will experiment with using white Gelly Roll pen on black papers. We will learn methods of shading the designs and using pens to different effects.

Date: Saturday 2/21 20:00-12:00

Materials: $12.00 payable to instructor - all materials included

Age/Level: Adults, Teens 14+ Beginning

 PARABOLIC PAPER STITCHING

Geometric shapes pop on black paper with metallic threads. We will stitch a variety of shapes and sizes using paper piercing and straight stitches.

Date: Tuesdays 3/3 and 3/12 10:00-12:00

Materials: $12.00 payable to instructor - all materials included

Age/Level: Adults, Teens 14+ Beginning

COLLAGE CLUB

Let’s gather and work on collages. Bring a project to work on and the materials that you need. You may also contribute to a table of shared materials. An instructor will be there to answer questions and help with techniques.

Date: Thursday 1/29 1:00-4:00 

Format: In person

Materials: Bring your own. If you wish you may bring materials to share

Age/Level: Adults, Teens 14+

Level: Beginner

Maximum: 12

 

Classes at White Bear Lake Senior Center:

Register at whitebearseniorprogram@isd624.org

 ZENTANGLE STYLE DRAWING

If you love to doodle and want to learn some new patterns, this class is designed for you.

Regardless of how much previous experience you have, it’s fun to come together with a group to improve your skills and expand your practice.

Tangling and doodling are meditative drawing methods that use simple repetitive strokes to

build patterns combined to make small works of art.

Date: Thursday 3/12 10:00-12:00

Materials: $12.00 payable to instructor - all materials included

CIRCLE OF LIFE MEDITATION BRACELET

Learn about the history and use of prayer beads from 140,000 

years ago through out the world.

Then make a meditation bracelet from gemstones using sacred geometry.

Thursday March 16 10:00-12:00

Materials: $12.00 payable to instructor - all materials included

Special orders are welcome. 
I teach custom classes for your group. 
I also teach private tutoring sessions. 
Email swansonmn@comcast.net for more information. 

Thank you for supporting local artists!

Sue Swanson MDiv, is an artist who helps people find Sabbath time in their busy lives by teaching them how to practice spiritual patterns together. She calls her work Prayercraft, which uses art as a gateway to healing, wholeness and meditation. She is interested in how we can learn to use artistic creativity both individually and in a group to express our spirituality.

Sue teaches classes and retreats exploring spiritual concepts such as: blessing, breath, gratitude, simplicity, creativity and Sabbath. Her beadwork has been published by Beadwork Magazine and Bead and Button Magazine. Her company, Purple Apple Arts, provides opportunities to explore traditional crafts including music, beadwork, collage, knitting and labyrinth walking. She studies traditional craft techniques in order to make them meaningful in our 21st Century lives.

Sue lives in Woodbury, Minnesota with her husband Roger.  She is the mother of two sons, Jeremy and Matthew and Nana of Victoria, Robert, William and Madeline and Eleanor. She holds a BA degree in Professional Communications from Metropolitan State University and a Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. She is trained by Dr. Lauren Artess as an advanced certified Veridatas Labyrinth facilitator. Sue is a member of the International Labyrinth Society and Minnesota Labyrinth Network.

Sue’s artistic vision is: as the beads are woven together, the thread disappears, but its presence provides all of the underlying structure. Similarly, the Holy Spirit invisibly, yet essentially, weaves together the fabric of our lives and connects us with our spiritual community.

Creating circles of beauty and joy.