Beaded Chakras Flag -Guest Post with Laurey Stahelin

Hello creative hearts!

When I was asked to do a guest post for Artistcellar, I was overjoyed and decided to document a project I had in the back of my mind for a while.  So today, I want to share with you my Chakras Flag!

I searched my stash for just the right piece of fabric for the base and settled on a hand-dyed piece of cotton that reminds me of the sky on a beautiful day.  It's approximately 21" x 6".  I also cut seven small pieces, approximately 2.5" square.

Using Pebeo fabric paints (Jacquard Dye-Na-Flow paints would work just as well), in colors corresponding with each chakra's energy, I painted the squares and then used white acrylic paint, a stiff-bristled brush and the Chakra Series Pocket Stencils to apply the designs.

Next, using a ruler, I drew a straight line down the center of the fabric, making sure the colored squares would cover the marks, and determined perfect placement using removable, double-sided tape to hold them in place, so not to poke visible holes with pins.  I made sure to leave about an inch of cloth at the top, so I can fold it over later and add the ribbon.  Searching my stash again, I pulled 10/0 size seed beads in colors that matched each square.

With a beading needle and Nymo beading thread, in white, I came up from the back of my work, poking through and placing three beads on the thread.  I laid them flat against my project and poked the needle down.  Coming up again, between the first and second beads, then through the second and third bead, ready to add three more beads and moving along in the same manner until the symbol is encircled with beads.

After all of the symbols were encircled with beads, I was ready to hang it, eager to see it finished!  I hand stitched a quick line across the top, creating a sleeve to slip a dried rose stem I've been saving and adding a bit of embroidery floss to hang!

Thank you so much for reading!  I hope you enjoyed what I made!  Have a lovely, artful day!

Also in News