Again it was the public transportation of the day…bus, train, subway, etc and it would take us to Lemmikko Studios where we were to have a beading class.

We were graciously greeted with bows and introductions and entered the studio, which was warm and inviting. Take off your shoes and put on the slippers. I had no problem with taking off the shoes, but I preferred no slippers and the exchange of words went back and forth. I was told by one of my tour mates that they really didnot want my bare feet touching their floors!

A tour through the rest of the studio was in order before we settled into class. I wanted one package of every bead that she had!

Are you familiar with tambour beading? well this is what it was! And the small piece is what we would be “trying to create”… not as easy at it looks!

“Definition of tambour is the French word for drum. Tambour work is embroidery done with a hook where the fabric must be stretched tight as a drum. The fabric is stretched or laced and sewn on on a rectangular frame or in a circular frame. A tambour hook makes one stitch, the chain stitch. The hook is held on top of the frame with the threaded beads or sequins underneath.”

To be honest I sort of struggled with mine. We practiced for a few hours just to master that chain stitch! What you are creating is on the back and you just see your chain stitches on top. Beads and sequins are restrung before starting and you feel your way along as the beads and sequins are underneath, turning it over every so often to check your work. When Googling tambour beading I came across an old posting from Plays with Needles and she really explains it much better than I…so check it out. 

After reading it myself, I don’t feel so bad that I struggled. I would try it again (as I gave my kit to Elizabeth) sitting in a better chair and not having to bend over so much.

This was our teacher demonstrating and why do they always make it look so easy?

Mary Alice was getting a little extra help!

I think that they both got it!

This is Midori with the sensei, who was very charming btw.

We were learning to make the roses here and I aced that part!

These were samples of her work!

This was amazing and yes its all sequins and beads! There are lots of bugle beads in this, but I learned that they called them bamboo beads.

She was trained in France and her work was just amazing! amazing! amazing! This was my favorite piece BTW!

Travel night again as we are moving to Okayama, a little bento box, a seat on the bullit train, a nap…and tomorrow is all about beads too!

and for now, I will say…sayonara