Woodland Keepsake Class - Carrie Tahquechi
Project Options Cabochon Options
Carrie Tahquechi - Instructor
.jpg)
Carrie Tahquechi is a lifelong creative and experienced instructor who is passionate about helping others discover the meditative joy of beadwork. Her approachable teaching style helps students build confidence through technique while encouraging personal expression and artistic instinct. She has taught at Rocky Mountain Bead Society, Enchanted Bead Retreat, Beader’s Dream Retreat 2025, and the Bead Cruise 2026.
Carrie brings a thoughtful balance of structure and intuition to her beadwork. She often begins with a sketch, then allows the beads themselves to shape the rhythm and flow of the design as it evolves. This interplay of planning and spontaneity gives each piece a distinctive, refined, and expressive voice full of creative life.
A distinctive part of Carrie’s work is her use of custom 3d printed frames that give her bead embroidery added structure and dimensionality. She combines these forms with traditional bead embroidery techniques and Native American stitches to create the final piece. The result is work that feels both sculptural and detailed, with a strong sense of form, texture, and movement.
Class Description:
Woodland Keepsakes is a charming half-day class in which students will create a warm, fall-inspired piece featuring Carrie’s adorable baby animal cabochons. Each focal begins with a peyote bezel using your choice of original autumn-themed animal images, set onto a metal blank and transformed through bead embroidery into either a necklace or a decorative bag embellishment. Students will work with a peyote stitch cabochon setting, beaded backstitch, pearl cup chain, and fall-toned beadwork to create a finished piece full of cozy woodland character.
Designed for beginner to intermediate students, this class is a wonderful introduction to combining structure, texture, and playful imagery in bead embroidery. The project offers flexibility in both color and finish, allowing students to choose a necklace or bag format while creating something uniquely their own.
Additional Information:
Woodland keepsakes is listed as beginner/ intermediate. Students that are true beginners, never beaded at all, will likely make it through most of the peyote bezel and practice on brick stitch edging. A beader that perhaps has only done beadweaving will get a bit farther. A beader with peyote and embroidery experience will learn refining techniques, more embellishment ideas and may well be finishing or close to it in class. Full project instructions accompany each kit and Carrie will tailor the class experience to each student’s level so they will be able to finish at home.
Students should bring size 11 needles, thread of choice, scissors, a work surface, task light, magnification if needed, and adhesive.
Skill Level: Beginning to Intermediate
A beginner has very little or no beading experience. An Intermediate learner has a knowledge and some practice with basic bead embroidery skill such as backstitch, peyote, and brick stitch edging.
Class Costs:
- Kit fee $50.00 (Your kit choice will be purchased from Carrie at the class.)
- Class Fee $40 (paid at registration)
Maximum Students: 15
Note: Complimentary beverages and snacks will be provided courtesy of The Bead Society of New Mexico.
The Range is open from 7:30am to 8:30. Feel free to enjoy a full breakfast or dinner before or after class with friends or family.
