Teacher

Karen Miner
of Washington

Email: wklk@verizon.net

Bio | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Conference | Samples

April 30, 2005

Bio
As a young girl, before age nine even, I had a dream. In my dream I was sitting on the floor of a covered porch. To one side I saw soft rolling hills, and to my other side I had a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. The sun was high in the sky and I smelled the scent of fresh sweet grass in the gentle winds as they brushed past my face.

My grandmother rocked gently in her chair as we shared the magnificent view. All of the necessary chores of the day were done and she sat now with her arms and lap full of the needlework she used to dress her home. I looked down and saw that my own hands also held a cloth. My grandmother was teaching me the art of proper stitch work in the form of my first sampler.

When I was nine years old, I journeyed from Washington State to Indiana where I spent time with relatives that summer. It was then that my dream came true because my grandmother lived in New Albany, Indiana. That summer she taught me to embroider and sew. I cherish those memories of sitting with my grandmother on her covered porch with the gentle breezes passing by, and I have continued to create pieces of art since that inspiring summer time.

I have also branched out and dabbled in many other types of needlework, such as embroidery, hardanger, cross-stitch, Brazilian work, quilting, beading and bobbin lace, as well as other forms of art.

My husband and I live in the Pacific Northwest. We have raised two children and both have had long careers in the telecommunications field. Since 1981, after the birth of my second child, I have entered my work in state fairs and other venues and have received many 1st Place, Grand and Reserve Grand Champion, and Sweepstake awards.

Throughout these competitions I received constructive feed back which helped me to perfect my weak areas and the encouragement to continue with my craft. Competition provides both a source to be judged on how well I perform my craft and the excitement to venture out and create original pieces of work. For these reasons, as life permits, I will continue to submit my work in competitive events.

I subscribe to the Canadian Lacemakers Gazette in Sooke, British Columbia, and have enjoyed meeting with our friends to the North on several occasions throughout the year.

Teaching others to tat provides me with such pleasure as I see what students do to make each piece of work their own. We all have our own signatures that make each of us unique! I have been blessed with opportunities to teach my friends the art of tatting, and I have taught tatting in more formal settings. I taught by invitation at the 2004 and 2005 Shuttlebirds Tatting Conventions as well as twice during 2004 at a workshop in Montana.

I belong to and actively participate in different needlework organizations. I am an active member in good standing with I.O.L.I. Currently I am a member of, and Past Secretary for, Lacemakers of Puget Sound. I work with the Education Committee to improve and bring in teachers to advance the Guild in tatting.

My present ambition is to teach at an I.O.L.I. convention. I am currently working on the publication of my first book in tatting. Please look for it in 2006.

Class 1

"Fuchsia Earrings"

Time: Friday, 3:30-5:30

Techniques: Rings, Chains, Working with beads, Encapsulation of thread ends
Project: Fuchsia Earrings

Beginner to Intermediate Level

Description:
Some of the special memories of spring and summer include the thoughts of lovely flowers. This class teaches you how to make a pair of earrings that look like tatted fuchsia flowers. These earrings are nicely sized and adorned with beads. Spring and summer can be yours anytime of the year when you wear your beautiful creation.

Supplies:
Embroidery scissors with tight ends
Shuttles - minimum of four
Thread - minimum of 4 different colors (green for the leaves, yellow for the stamens and two other colors for the fuchsia flower
Seed Beads - size 15 - three colors (green for the leaves, yellow for the stamens and a color to match your choice of thread for the Fuchsia. There will be small packages of size 15 beads in green, yellow and shades of pinks in the vending area for purchase so you do not have to incur the cost of full tubes of beads. We will also have pierced earring findings available.

Class 2

"Ruffled Paisley"

Time: Saturday, 9 to 11

Project: Ruffled Paisley Pendant

Intermediate to Advanced Level: You will need the knowledge and skill to make rings, chains, encapsulated threads, non-flipped double stitch and working with multiple shuttles.

Description:
In this class you will come home with a beautiful tatted paisley pendant that will be sure to get you complements! Your tatted pieces will be secured to a teardrop shaped piece of leather that will include a sterling silver wire bail and leather strand for wearing immediately following class.

Supplies:
Embroidery scissors with tight ends
Shuttles - minimum of four
Small bottle of Elmer's glue

Thread
Colors: minimum of 4
Size(s): One color should be size 20. The three additional colors can be from thread size(s) 50 to 80.

Beads
Seed Beads: 3 different colors that should compliment the thread(s)
Size(s): From 11 to 15
Focal Point: Bring either a bead sized 10 mm or a button sized 3/8th inch.
Additional beads: bring other beads to embellish your project. Suggested size(s) 8, 10, 3 mm, 6 mm

In addition to the listed supplies, the student will want to obtain a kit from the vending area. The kit will include:
Leather tear drop
Appropriate needles required to work with the beads and leather
Beading thread
Bail and leather lace for hanging pendant

Class 3 Team Teaching with Nina Libin

"Time to tat, chat, teach and learn while finishing up the workshop projects"

Time: Saturday, 3 to 5

Technique: Any needed review may be requested on the spot
Project: Finishing your workshop project

Study Hall: This session provides additional instruction for the student who wants more direction and time to complete a project begun in an earlier class. Also, feel free to join this class if you’ve been working at home on a pattern by this designer and would like some guidance in its completion.

Intermediate to Advanced Level

Description:
Teacher will take requests for techniques to be reviewed while tatters complete projects or just tat along.

Supplies:
Whatever is needed to complete your project or that you need to review.

Conference: Saturday, 11:30 to 1:30, with Gina and Mark.

Samples of teacher’s work:

Photographer for Karen is Genelle Akley.

Back to TOP

Back to Teacher Page

Back to TAT DAYS 2005