In 1994, on one of their many trips to Bulgaria, Martha Forsyth and Pat Iverson
learned a technique of crocheting with beads to produce bracelets and necklaces similar to those shown here. The bracelets seem snug as you
RO-O-O-LL them over your hand, but then they sit smoothly on your arm Look, Ma, no clasp! In 1995 we formed a small collective
called Beads Without End, and were soon joined by Kathryn Black. The work is exacting: hundreds of tiny glass seed beads are strung one-by-one on strong synthetic thread and crocheted into a flexible fabric tube, leaving a bead in every stitch. The ends are then sewn together in an invisible seam. A skilled maker may spend five or six happy hours creating a single bracelet! Since we began experimenting with this technique, we have each made literally thousands of bracelets, necklaces and earrings. But somehow the ideas keep crowding upon us, and there are always more bracelets (and necklaces) that just have to be made...beads without end.... |
Sensuously supple rivers of seed beads crocheted into an endless spiral.... Bracelets that roll on, without the need of a partner to fasten them for you, and then stay comfortably in place instead of flopping around on your arm or hurting when you twist.... Endlessly changing patterns in luscious colors, always something new.... The New England Folk Almanac, Vol. 7, No. 3, December 1997 |
Opportunities to buy them yourself:
Come to Somerville Open Studios
Weather permitting, we will be set up under a canopy in the driveway on both Saturday and Sunday.
In addition, we will have a virtual booth at Booth Central, accessible from the
• If you can't come to any of these events, •
• New England Folk Festival in April (in the Craft Hall)
• Somerville Open Studios (Somerville, MA) in May
• Acton Open Studios (Acton, MA) in October
and
Beads Without End
.
Because of Covid-19, our regular events have not been happening.
BUT there is hope!
at 14 Gussie Terrace, Somerville, MA, May 1-2, 2021,
Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm
Somerville Open Studios website - look for Beads Without End, or any of our names.
Watch for information about Acton Open Studios •
at 237 Central Street, Acton, MA, usually the 3rd weekend in October, from noon to 5pm
Contact us for a PERSONAL SHOWING,
or about having a “HOUSE PARTY”
(in New England, or make us a good offer!):
Martha, Pat & Kathryn
• Annual Events •
Sometimes we forget to update this page, but you can always check:
Sadly, the New England Folk Festival was cancelled in 2020,
and was a "virtual" event in 2021, because of Covid-19
See you in 2022 (at a new location).
(May 1-3, 2020), assuming it will go on as planned. Stay tuned as news develops.
Watch this space for possible cancellation.
with advance notice, we can bring our work to the
monthly Saturday night dance parties of our Bulgarian band, ZDRAVETS
(once they start happening again!)