The Orb

Workshop Information

Stitch a stunning orb of crystals! The word "orb" describes a sphere or a globe and comes from the Latin word orbis, which means circle or disc. While "sphere" or "ball" describes the same round geometric structure, Orbs are fanciful, poetic, or fantastical in nature. Orbs of all kinds feature in both classical and contemporary art, from ancient depictions of planetary bodies, to royal regalia, to sought after symbols in virtual games. While still spherical, this particular orb has an underlying geometric structure of a dodecahedron, joining its fantastical radiance to solid mathematics.

This piece features a dozen rivoli crystals surrounded by shimmering flat back crystals, all joined together using the geometry of a dodecahedron. You'll use a combination of peyote and right-angle weave to stitch the rivolis into place, and then you'll use additional variations on peyote to decorate the pendant with the flat back crystals. The Orb is stunning on its own as an objet d'art, or you can add a matching bail to wear it as a pendant. The smaller crystals also decorate its matching beaded chain, which you'll weave using cubic right-angle weave (CRAW) and double cubic right-angle weave (DCRAW). This class is appropriate for students who are already proficient in CRAW and who would like to explore the geometry of a dodecahedron.

Prerequisites: Students should be proficient in CRAW and peyote stitch, and should be comfortable working with size 15° seed beads. Knowledge of DCRAW is helpful but not required.

Skill level: Advanced