Classes, Workshops, Retreats and More
Catriona teaches eager students the fine art of bead embroidery and beadweaving. Classes are run in person and online via zoom, giving her students a creative outlet and a way to pause from their busy lives. They range in difficulty from absolute beginner to advanced masterclasses. After a class with Catriona Starpins, students can wear their creations with pride letting others know where they learnt such wonderful beading skills.
Classes in 2023
June Monthly Meeting for BSV Bead Society of Victoria (Members Only Access) - KERRIE EARRINGS
Join Catriona for an exciting workshop where you'll have the opportunity to create your own stunning sparkly stud earrings. The workshop will focus on creating the Kerrie earrings using peyote bezelling techniques and bead embroidery, incorporating various sizes of seed beads and pearls. One of the highlights of this class is learning a unique method to capture an 8mm chaton, adding dimension to your earrings.
The Kerrie earrings are designed to be lightweight, making them perfect for everyday wear. They also serve as wonderful gifts for your loved ones. While it may not be possible to complete the entire project during the class, Catriona will demonstrate all the techniques required throughout the workshop. Additionally, you'll receive a photographic tutorial that will guide you in finishing the earrings at your own pace and convenience.
By joining this workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn from Catriona's expertise and explore the art of bead embroidery and bead weaving while creating a beautiful and unique pair of stud earrings.
Members of the BSV can Book here
Bead Society Of Victoria WINTER WORKSHOPS - IOLANTHE BRACELET
Catriona was inspired by Iolanthe, the Opera’s Queen of the Fairies to create this magical cuff. Come along and make your own Iolanthe bead embroidered cuff bracelet. Students will use Shibori Silk and a combination of Japanese and Czech Glass beads to embellish the folds of the fabric. Students will learn to drape the shibori silk in a pleasing way before embellishing with crystal rivolis, chatons and glass beads.
This project will not be able to be completed in the class, however all techniques will be demonstrated throughout the workshop and a photographic tutorial will be supplied to help students to finish in their own time.
Make your own Shibori Silk with Margaret Mueller on day one of the Winter retreat and then learn how to use the silk on day two with Catriona Starpins and/or Meg Thompson.
Members of the BSV can book here
Past Events
Catriona enjoyed teaching "Empress Pendant" at the Melbourne Bead Retreat in January 2023. This event is run by The Bead Society of Victoria. The "Empress Pendant" is currently not scheduled for future classes, however join my mailing list and if enough people are interested we will run a second session of the class. Simply send me an email to register your interest in this class.
Join our mailing list to be the first to hear about classes both in person and via zoom.
Khepri Beetle
Do you want to take your bead embroidery designs to the next dimension? Come along to this two part workshop with Catriona Starpins and bring to life your very own dimensional bead embroidered Scarab Beetle. This versatile brooch can also be worn as a pendant, simply thread a chain through the bail at the top.
Class is in person at the Cranberry Beads Shop in Mentone.
Dates: Saturday 4th and 18th March 2023
Workshop duration: two, three hour sessions
Khepri Beetle
The Snow Queen
Super Thrilled to have my design place first in the Bead Society of
Victoria's Elly Feldman award for 2022.
Introducing, The Snow Queen.
Made with my own cabochons,
shiny faux leather, glass beads and seed beads and Ultrasuede.
BSV Bead Society of Victoria Bead Challenge 2022
The Egyptain scarab beetle inspired my 2022 BSV Bead Challenge.
The challenge this year was the two 27mm stones. It was very difficult to design with two stones, a challenge indeed.
I was thrilled to have placed first in both the judged section and the public vote.
This design is yet to be named, what would you call it?
Antoinette
A mask to adorn any lavish queen at her masquerade ball.
Placed Second in the Bead Society of Victoria's exhibition 2022.
Techniques: Dimensional Bead
embroidery, brick stitch, peyote stitch, fringing and costume construction techniques.
Fantastic Mr Fox
This was made with beads from the Kinga Nichols inspiration box. I did not really have time for this with everything else going on, but I did it anyway!
Sometimes when I open a box of beads, I don't know exactly what I am going to make, but I start making anyway.
We are currently working on fringe in the
Cranberry Bead Weaving Club and so I had to add fringe, which I don't do very often.
I decided Mr Fox needed to be framed in his very own glass window to give him the best view of the outside world from my studio here in Carrum Downs.
Also, I wanted Mr Fox to be Fantastic, so he needed a shiny disco coloured leather behind him to make him really pop out. I also enjoyed making the charm into a nice matching cab with the same pretty leather.
Catriona's Home Studio
