Purple Apple Arts

BeadWork, Classes and Retreats by Sue Swanson

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Classes and Retreats

 
Purple Apple Arts welcomes you!

WINTER 2025

 CLASSES AND SHOWS


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

 

Zentangle Style Drawing

Friday, March 29 10:00-12:00

 

Book Making Basics

Saturdays, February 15 and 22 1:00-3:00

 

Mandala Necklace

Thursdays, March 6 and 13 10:00-12:00

 

Circle of Life Meditation Bracelet

Saturday, April 5 10:00-12:00

 

Fiber Open Studio

Fridays 1:00-3:00

January 17

February 7 and February 21

March 7 and March 21

April 4 and April 18

SPRING/SUMMER 2025 CLASSES

Jewelry Lab

This class is designed to teach the basics of bead stringing. It is a fun and easy class. We will begin with elastic bracelets, then progress to earrings, pendants and necklaces. Along the way, we will learn how to use tools and findings, including jump rings, stringing materials, crimps and clasps. Bring any old jewelry that needs to be fixed, altered or redesigned and we will refresh it, so it is wearable again. 

2 Saturdays, Aug 2 & 9 10:00 AM-12:30 PM

ID: 62071

$72 Member/$90 Non-Member

$10 material fee payable to instructor

Adults, teens 14+, all levels

 

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

May 2 & 16

Jun 13 & 27

Jul 11 & 25

Aug 8 & 22

ID: 62076

Free with registration ($20 suggested donation)

Adults, teens 12+, all levels

ID: 62051
$44 Member/$55 Non-Member $12 material fee payable to instructor
Adults, teens 14+, beginning 1

Book Binding Basics
Tiny books are great to carry in your pocket so you can be ready when the inspiration to draw or write strikes. Students will learn to create sewn signatures and use different types of paper to create envelope pages, windows, and pop-up pages, then make different types of closures and bookmarks.
2 Thursdays, Jul 24 & 31, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
ID: 62046
$63 Member/$79 Non-Member  -   $10 material fee payable to instructor
Adults, teens 14+, all levels

Peyote Stitch Ring
This class will teach the basics of peyote stitch beadwork. We will cover how to begin, how to stitch an even count flat design, how to add thread and how to make a circle by zipping the ends together. We will make a ring using size 11 Miyuki delica glass beads from Japan. The ring is stitched using an off-loom needle and thread technique.
2 Saturdays, Jul 12 & 19, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
ID: 62061
$63 Member/$79 Non-Member - $12 material fee payable to instructor
Adults, teens 14+, beginning 2

Three-Dimensional Beaded Star

We will explore the Contemporary Geometric Beadwork discipline by learning to make one of the basic shapes – a warped square. It is a versatile piece that can be combined into jewelry and sculptures in many ways. We will focus on the star shape. It is made from Japanese Miyuki glass seed beads using an off-loom needle and thread technique. It is a great place to start learning to create shapes out of seed beads. 

2 Wednesdays, Aug 20 & 27, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

ID: 62066

$63 Member/$79 Non-Member - $20 material fee payable to instructor

Adults, teens 14+, beginning 2

 

 

Email: swansonmn@comcast.net

Special orders are welcome.
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.