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David Chatt


Achieving Nirvana Through the Fully Realized Beaded Bracelet

Course Description
For most of my adult life I have, with more than a little sanctimony, wagged my self-righteous finger at beaded jewelry that employs doinky, manufactured clasps. It hurts me deeply to see time and energy invested to create a wearable work of art, only to sully it with a sub-prime closure. With a missionary’s zeal, I am imploring you to ditch the tacky clasp. For one week, we will consider the beaded bracelet as an opportunity to find perfect harmony between form and function. This will not be a class where everyone makes the same objects, so bring your imagination and good humor. Be prepared to work hard, problem solve, and achieve aesthetic enlightenment. I speak Right-angle weave, so a little experience with this technique is strongly encouraged.

Artist's Biography
“As long as there have been objects with holes in them and people to poke something in that hole, we the people have done exactly that.”

David Chatt has spent the second half of his life stitching tiny bits of glass one to the next, laboring to express himself in a medium that is tedious and time-consuming beyond reason. For his efforts, he has been called a “Visionary”, a “Lunatic”, and a “Beadwork Subversive”. His career was recently honored with a one-person show at the Bellevue Art Museum in Seattle, Washington, which was commemorated in an accompanying catalog. His work can be seen on his website: www.davidchatt.com. David is currently living in Penland, North Carolina, where he is a resident artist at Penland School of Crafts.

 Chatt 1

Chatt 2
Supply List:
  • A good task lamp that can go on the table in front of you. I use a foldable Ott lamp but any good lamp will do.
  • You will be sitting for long periods of time so if you have back issues you may want to check with Shakerag to make sure the seating they have will work for you, or you may want to bring your own chair or pillow for support.
  • Glasses for close work if, like, me you depend on them.
  • I will bring some beads to sell but it will be a limited supply. You will want to bring your own. I recommend that you don't try to use beads smaller than size 11s. Size 10s are good as well. You may want to bring some larger beads for embellishment. I will demonstrate how to work with crystal beads so you may want to bring some bi-cone shaped faceted beads but this is not required.
  • You will need Nylon thread. I use Nymo brand but there are others which will work but it should be smooth thread and not a twist.
  • Thread should be size B and D, some of each.
  • You will need beading needles. I use John James needles which come in a yellow and black multi-pack. Size 12 and 13, I sometimes use size 10 for crystal beads.
  • Shallow dishes for bead trays.
  • Good sharp small scissors.
  • Bees wax
  • Several colors of ballpoint pens would be helpful, or one pen that has several colors.
  • 1/4 inch graph paper
  • Sense of Humor
  • Clear mind, open to new ideas