Cliff Swain-Salomon - Bodhisattva Box

Bodhisattva Box

Class description: Bodhisattva Box- Several years ago, I had the opportunity to study with a Tibetan lama. He taught me how to meditate to help improve my health and lower my stress levels.  At the time, I was a college professor, teaching at a holistic medicine school, and had my own private practice.  While working with the lama, he shared many of his tradition’s teachings including the concept of what a bodhisattva is.

In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is an enlightened being who has put off entering paradise to help others achieve enlightenment.  They are believed to be highly evolved spiritual beings who display immense compassion for all humanity and beings on this planet. Many have compared bodhisattvas to other spiritual leaders, saints, and prophets including Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Kuan Yin (Guanyin), some archangels, Moses, and even Mother Teresa.

A beautiful legend is that Kuan Yin was on the threshold of heaven when she paused and heard the anguished cries of the world. She then returned to earth to help all who were suffering. Kuan Yin is the protectress of women, sailors, merchants, and children. The meditation for healing with the energy of Kuan Yin literally translates, “Hail to the jewel in the lotus!”  To honor her and this story, the box is crowned with a lotus flower surrounding a porcelain cabochon designed by Mindy Gould, with an image of a gentlewoman meant to reflect the energy of Kuan Yin.

The shape of the box is designed to give a nod to the Chi Lin Nunnery in Hong Kong, whose halls are lined with statues of Kuan Yin, Buddhas, and Goddesses. The lid is lined with red vegan ultra suede.  The color red is used in several cultures to represent auspiciousness, wealth, protection, and connection to the Divine.

This two-day class is an in-depth look at the versatility of geometric wings (a shape created by a series of stacked increases without the use of consistent decreases like contemporary geometric beadwork horns use). They can be used to create graceful petals, flying buttresses on buildings, ornate decorations, or many other unique shapes.  Throughout this project, students will learn how to make stacked wings, upside-down wings, seamed wings, and beams.

The project includes one of three porcelain focals, all the beads necessary to make the project, fantasy Austrian crystal stones, over 130 Austrian pearls and crystal beads, Japanese seed beads (including precious metal plated), and many other unique elements. Adorning the upper roofline of the lid are vintage baroque bicone beads or twisted cathedral beads (depending on the colorway you choose). They were custom-made for Jme Lynn while she was on a trip to the Czech Republic.  She wanted to capture the shape of the beads on a bracelet that her great-grandmother used to let her play with when she was a child.  Unfortunately, the factory had closed during WWII and so she found someone to reproduce them for her in limited quantities and colors.

This is an advanced project that mainly uses size 11 delicas and size 11 rocaille seed beads with a few 8º, 11º demis and 15º beads as well.  The piece begins with two small rows of backstitched embroidery and builds with bead weaving off of that.  Students will need to know how to do peyote, RAW, and CRAW as a prerequisite.  While knowledge of backstitch embroidery isn’t required, it is helpful.  Also, there is some minor wirework as part of the class to turn the baroque bicones/cathedral beads into hanging charms.

Prerequisite: Peyote (tubular, flat, with a basic knowledge of increases and decreases), RAW, CRAW

Other stitches/techniques used: wrapped wire loops, backstitch embroidery (minimal), stitch in the ditch, and some ladder stitch to seam pieces together.

Other stitches/techniques used: wrapped wire loops, backstitch embroidery (minimal), stitch in the ditch, and some ladder stitch to seam pieces together.

Skill Level: Advanced

Kits sold separately by the instructor -  Kits are required: price will be between $198 - $215, depending on colorway choice, and will include everything you need to make the box except for proper lighting, scissors, a white gel pen, and a beading surface.

To attend this event, you will need either a desktop, laptop, or tablet along with the Zoom Application which can easily be downloaded for either Windows, Apple, or Android devices, and a good internet connection.  After registering and paying for your class, you will be sent a link to the online class the week of the workshop.

Class space is confirmed upon receipt of payment. There are no class refunds unless the class is canceled by SocialBeadia.  If you need to cancel, you may transfer your spot to another student, or you will receive all instructional materials and the option to purchase a kit if available. Under no circumstances will refunds be given if you have already received the class instructions. For questions, please contact sue@socialbeadia.com