BEADING & WIRE WRAP TECHNIQUE CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
 

Classes provide bead enthusiasts with a variety of creative projects featuring complete how-to demonstrations, tips, and techniques.  Whether you have always wanted to learn to bead, or have already mastered a variety of techniques and stitches, these classes provide new ideas and opportunities for utilizing your beads, stones, fused glass, and findings.  Students can also learn wire-wrapping and chain-making techniques and incorporate wire and beads into necklace, bracelet, ring, brooch and/or pendant designs.

Current schedule
Wirewrap Tool & Supply lists

Wirewrap:  Little Bits
Learn a little bit of everything in this wirewrap workshop!  Our focus will be on a variety of small quick projects.  Each design is chosen to teach a useful technique that is transferable to other wire designs.  We will be covering an extremely versatile ring design, basic earring construction, and several quick, easy pendants.  We will also discuss variations of some of the designs and how they can be incorporated into larger pieces.  All levels of students are welcome.  Please bring basic smooth-jawed jewelry pliers (round nose, chain nose, flat nose, and cutters) and a solid colored mat/towel to work on.  You will also need a ring mandrel ( no groove along the length) and a rawhide mallet.  Supply fee is $15, payable to the instructor.  Please contact the instructor with any further questions.

Wirewrap:  Bezel Pendants
Learn how to set cabochons and other types of stones in this versatile wrap.  You’ll learn how to design and assemble a secure bezel setting that closely follows the shape of the stone.  You will also be learning several important wirewrap techniques that are transferable to other styles of wire jewelry.  We will discuss variations of designs and the mechanics, such as using prongs, creating loops for beads and connecting multiple pieces.  You will be taught how to make your pendant structurally sound, balancing with aesthetics and how to address design challenges.  All levels of students are welcome.  Please bring basic smooth-jawed jewelry pliers (round nose, chain nose, flat nose, and cutters) and a solid colored mat/towel to work on. Supply fee is $15, payable to the instructor and includes wire and stones.  Please contact the instructor with any further questions.

BEADING TECHNIQUES
These classes are designed for both the novice and the experienced beader, progressing from a basic string of beads to complex designs with a focus on color and composition.  A variety of stitches are demonstrated and practiced, such as peyote, brick stitch, and other popular styles. Bead weaving and loom work may be covered, depending on student interest.  For new students, instructions are provided so you can practice and work on your projects at home between classes, allowing for a new project to be introduced and started each week.  Experienced beaders can work on independent projects, with guidance provided by expert instructors.  Classes include students at all levels.  Contact the instructor prior to class for a list of supplies and tools.

WIRE JEWELRY:  COMPREHENSIVE COURSE
Whether you are a beginning student just getting started with wire, or a more experienced student wanting to learn more design skills and techniques, this class covers a wide range of wire-wrapping projects.  You will learn how to make rings, bracelets, pendants, and earrings, with a focus on creating your own style and improving your design capabilities.  Each project is selected to reinforce a particular technique or address a design challenge.

MAKE & TAKE IT:  DELICATE SWIRLED WIRE PENDANT AND EARRINGS
Come spend the afternoon with us and learn how to make a beautiful swirled wire pendant with matching drop earrings.  The tips and tricks you will learn in manipulating the wire into graceful loops and swirls can be used in many other wire designs.  Just bring a basic set of smooth-jawed jewelry pliers and be ready to have some fun!   $10 supply fee

MAKE & TAKE IT:  THREE ELEGANT WIRE EARRINGS STYLES
Learn how to make three very different and versatile styles of earrings in one fun afternoon.  You will learn how to make a spiraling stylish beaded drop, a cascading waterfall of beads with lots of movement, and a graceful swirling design that excels at providing just the right setting for that special gemstone, pearl or lampworked bead.  All you need to bring is a basic set of smooth-jawed jewelry pliers.  Feel free to bring any extra beads you wish.  $10 supply fee

MAKE & TAKE IT:  EASY WIRE CUFF BRACELET WITH BEADED TOP
Join us and enjoy learning how to make a gorgeous wire cuff bracelet with a swirled beaded top.  You will learn the basics of twisting and manipulating wire and the techniques you will learn are one of the core fundamentals to many other wire jewelry designs.  Bring a basic set of smooth-jawed jewelry pliers—especially important are a small pair of flat nose pliers.  Feel free to contact instructor with any questions.  $10 supply fee

WIRE JEWELRY:  ALL ABOUT BEADS
Have you been making or buying lampworked beads and want to make them into gorgeous jewelry?  Have you acquired that strand of gemstones and aren’t sure what to do with it now?  Those sparkly crystals or glowing pearls that caught your eye but are now languishing in storage?  Join us and learn how to incorporate those beads into beautiful and distinctive wire jewelry.  You’ll learn how to use your beads to create rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants, and your own unique creations.

WIRE JEWELRY:  QUICK & EASY HOLIDAY GIFTS
If you would like to create unique and memorable gifts for the holidays or other special events, this workshop provides you with the skills to create a variety of projects that are quick to make, suitable for men and women, and will fit almost anyone without needing to know a size.  Emphasis will be on styles that are deceptively simple and that a beginner can easily achieve good results with.  You’ll leave the workshop with several finished pieces.

CREATIVE COILING
With some wire and a few basic tools, you will learn to create coils and beads in various sizes and shapes that will complement your jewelry-making skills.  During this workshop you will complete a variety of coil components that can be assembled into a unique bracelet, necklace, or pair of earrings.  Finished pieces may involve mixing copper wire, silver wire, and even coated telephone cable with various beads.  Come “coil” up with some good wire! 

Wire Jewelry:  Swirly Rings
Learn to create several styles of wire rings that incorporate graceful and lacy swirls.  You will also learn a more complex ring style that is the perfect setting for very irregular stones like tumblestones and crystals, which are difficult to use in other ring styles.  The versatile swirly ring can be used with a large range of stone shapes and the construction techniques can also be translated to other jewelry styles.  You’ll also learn how to make quick and ways swirly ring designs that can be used with or without beads.  Contact the instructor prior to class for a supply list.

Wire Jewelry:  Bracelets
Learn how to make both a cuff bracelet and a bangle bracelet.  You’ll learn different ways to finish the cuff bracelet, including a “hidden” end to neatly finish the wires, and other useful tips and techniques to use on these bracelets, and other wire jewelry styles.  You will also learn different ways to add stones and beads to your bracelets.  Contact the instructor prior to class for a supply list.

Wire Jewelry:  Cabochon Rings
Would you like to learn how to set cabochon stones in wirewrap rings?  Ever tried to make the cabochon-style ring, but haven’t been happy with the results?  With a deceptively simple, yet elegant, design, it is one of the most challenging to make look clean and symmetrical.   Come learn the tips and tricks for this exacting style of ring and learn what you need to turn your results from good to great.   All experience levels welcome.  Please contact instructor for tool and supply list.

Wire Jewelry:  Pendants
Are you interested in learning several styles of wirewrap pendants that can be used to set almost any shape of stone?  This is the class for you!  In this class, you’ll learn styles for setting irregular, crystal, cabochon and faceted stones.   All experience levels welcome.  Please contact instructor for tool and supply list

Wire Jewelry:  Handmade Findings
Have you ever been in the middle of creating a fabulous new piece of jewelry and are missing a critical finding such as an ear wire, head pin, jump ring or clasp?  Instead of running to the store or ordering your findings, learn to make your own from wire!  In this workshop you’ll learn a wide variety of handmade findings perfect for any piece of jewelry.  We’ll cover several ear wires, versatile spacers, several types of head and eye pins, jump and split rings, chain, hooks and clasps.  Regardless of the type of jewelry you do—fabricated, wire or beading—being able to make your own findings will be invaluable to add to your repertoire of techniques.   All experience levels welcome.  Please bring a basic set of jewelry pliers and $5 supply fee payable to instructor.

Chainmaking--Byzantine, Queens, Foxtail
Using only your pliers and jump rings, learn to make either one complete bracelet or samples of each pattern offered (Byzantine, Queen’s Pattern, and Foxtail chain). Make a simple S-clasp or bring your own. Tools and supplies to bring: 2 pair flat nose pliers, 1 pair of round nose pliers, a ½ round needle file, and 1 oz. of 20 gauge round dead-soft sterling silver or copper wire.