Be sure to check the Registration Policies page for information on signing up.
Please Note! No classes will be scheduled for the remainder of the year. Please check The Red Bead Boutique, our online store, in the future for class information. Several classes will be available in the future as complete step-by-step instructional kits.
All classes include include class instruction, materials (unless otherwise noted), and step-by-step instructions for the each student to take home for their personal use. Instructions are copyrighted and may not be copied and/or distributed.
Hammertime
Cateogry: Metals
Get ready to make some noise!! This class is all about metal and exploring the different textures one can achieve with various tools. Students can choose to merely play and explore, or can decide to use their results in a piece (or pieces) of jewelry.
Most tools are provided for students to share, but each person will have to provide their own bench block, jeweler's ballpein hammer, and jeweler's fine tooth files. These can be purchased in the store if needed.
Notify me when Hammertime is scheduled or add me to the waiting list.
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Three's a Crowd
Cateogry: Beadweaving
Be prepared to make all of your friends one of these Swarovski crystal bracelets because when they see it they'll want one of their own! Better yet, have them take the class with you! Past students have made extra of these to give as gifts. It's definitely one of the most popular classes.
Students can select from eight color combinations for their bracelets. The picture above shows just one of the possibilities. All supplies are included to make a bracelet up to 8 inches long with additional supplies available for sale if a larger bracelet (or necklace!) is needed.
All levels, beginner through advanced. Familiarity with a needle and thread is helpful.
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Beginning Chainmaking
Cateogry: Chainmaille
Learn to make a simple but elegant 3-1 chain in your choice of materials. Topics covered will include the proper technique for working with jumprings to give your bracelet a 'smooth', nearly seamless finish. This class serves as a prerequisite for the Byzantine, Entrapment, Slither and all other future chain classes. The kit includes enough sterling silver rings to make approx. a 7 1/2" bracelet (additional rings can be purchased if needed) plus practice jumprings in silverplate and copper. You can also opt for the bi-metal version which uses sterling twisted jumprings and goldfilled rings or copper with sterling twisted jumprings. This is THE class to prepare you for all future chain classes. Don't miss out!
All levels
Prerequisite: None, suitable for beginners
Cost $35 for instruction and hand-out plus materials kit fee. The fee below includes all costs including sales tax on the materials.
Please notify me when Beginning Chainmaking is scheduled again.
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Spin-Out, Seed Beads with a Twist
Cateogry: Beadweaving/Seedbeads
Jump into seed bead work with this fun, simple, and addictive spiral chain bracelet. Whether embellished with a centerpiece of crystals or left as a simple chain, don't be surprised if all of your friends want you to make them one! In class you will be making a simple chain (lower picture), but instructions for the addition of a centerpiece will be included in the course materials for use in a future project.
Necklace lengths in this design are a gorgeous substitute for hanging pendants instead of plain chains or cording.
The total below includes the class instruction fee and most materials. You will receive a $3 credit to use for the purchase of your seed beads if purchased at The Red Bead. In class we will be using Fireline Beading Thread 6#. If you do not have any please pay for that option. The cost is for one spool. Seed beads will need to be selected prior to class. If colors have not been selected there will be some suggestions to select from on the night of the class. Please let us know if you prefer to do this.
The provided materials will not shipped and will be here the evening of the class.
Prerequisite: none, familiarity with needle and thread is most helpful.
Check back for future dates.
Please notify me when Spin-Out is scheduled again.
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Basic Wirewrapping
Cateogry: Wireworking
Create a stylish bracelet (or start a necklace) while learning the fundamentals of working with wire using the basic wire-wrapped loop. The technique learned in class will enable you to make earrings, rosaries, and pendants from beads as well as many other uses in your future jewelry designs. This is a 'must have' class for those interested in making their own jewelry or even those wishing to fine-tune their technique.
Tools are provided for use in class but if you have your own round and chain nose pliers please bring them as well as wire cutters. We strongly recommend that you also bring a hands-free magnifying aide such as a visor. Even if you have excellent eyesight, having your work magnified can make a big difference in the quality of your finished bracelet. Pliers and magnifiers are also available for purchase.
The cost below includes the class fee, materials, and sales tax on the materials. Your kit is not shipped and will be provided the evening of the class.
Your materials kit includes Swarovski crystals, sterling silver beads, and sterling clasp. You will also receive plenty of silver-plated wire for your bracelet as well as for practice. Gold-plated wire and gold-filled components are also available for an additional cost. If you choose gold you will need to add the upgrade to your shopping cart as well.
indicate your choice on the order form.
All levels
Prerequisite: None
Please notify me when Basic Wirewrapping is scheduled next.
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The following classes have been offered in the past at The Red Bead. If you are interested in taking one of these in the future, click on the link below the description to email a request to be notified when it is scheduled. I use this as a gauge sometimes to judge if there is enough interest in the class to schedule it. No need to add text to the email, the subject line is sufficient.
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Shape Shifter
No matter how you want to describe it, frilly, lacey, or just plain wavy, this bracelet has curves! At times it resembles a spiral only to settle in a another position that looks like short segments of Foxy joined together. Turn it again and it might make you think it is a distant cousin of the Byzantine. No matter what it reminds you of, the truth is it's design will shine!
Prerequisite: Students must have taken at least 2 chainmaking classes prior to this one.
Please notify me when Shape Shifter is scheduled next.
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Kumihimo Primer
Learn the basics of an 8 strand kumihimo round braid in this fun and addicting bracelet class! Kumihimo braids can be used for a variety of things. Necklaces, bracelets, keychains, decorative pet collars, pillow edging………the list could go on and on. So may possibilities! The most exciting part of this is you can work on these braids almost anywhere you go, including long boring car trips (assuming you are not the one driving of course!). They are very portable! (silver bead pictured is not included in the class kit)
Suitable for all skill levels
Please notify me when Kumihimo Primer is scheduled next.
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Rainbow Road
You've made about 100 of the basic kumihimo weave you say? You want something different, more challenging you say? You want something that everyone will ooh and aah over? I'd say this fits the bill. In class you'll learn the weave plus my own private mantra for remembering it since it has more cords than the basic. Finishing instruction will not be included as it was covered in the first class, but you already knew that!
Prerequisite: Kumihimo Primer class
Please notify me when Rainbow Road is scheduled next.
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Flat Foxy
It's hard to show in a picture how cool this chain is. It's a challenging one, to be sure, but well worth it! (I have worked out a couple tricks though!) Once you get the hang of it, it is a quick chain to put together.The image shows the top of the chain, and the side view. Rather than being round, like the original Foxy, or flat like Silk the shape is rectangular.
Prerequisite: Student must have taken at least 2 chainmaking classes prior to this one.
Click here to email if you want to be notified when Flat Foxy is scheduled again. If the link isn't working, just email your request to theredbead"at"hotmail.com with the name of the class in the subject line.
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Beginning Metalwork
Learn the basics of bending and hammering wire while creating this fun and contemporary-styled bracelet. Learn the secrets of adding beads to your component before hammering in such a way that you don't flatten your bead during the hammering process.
Check back for future dates
All levels
Click here to email if you want to be notified when Beginning Metalwork is scheduled again. If the link isn't working, just email your request to theredbead"at"hotmail.com with the name of the class in the subject line.
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Byzantine
Classic, elegant and will wow your friends. What could be better than that? Your friends won't believe you've made it and you'll be secretly smiling inside knowing it is easier than it looks!
check back for future dates
Prerequisite: Basic Chain
Click here to email if you want to be notified when Byzantine is scheduled again. If the link isn't working, just email your request to theredbead"at"hotmail.com with the name of the class in the subject line.
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To the Moon
This chainmaille offering is my spin (no pun intended,ha) on an orbital weave. It took a bit of engineering to come up with the sizes and gauges of wire to make this one behave and not be floppy and to include 3 orbiting rings instead of the typical 2. I think you'll like the results. This weave also makes wonderful earrings! The class sample is in the Class Case and I recommend you come see it as the picture does not do it justice!
Prerequisite: Basic Chain
Cost $35 plus kit fee
Email if you want to be notified when To the Moon is scheduled again.
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Slither
Slinky, slithery, and downright luxurious. You'll love the feel of this bracelet! Materials kit includes the rings and clasp.
Prerequisite: Beginning Chainmaking
Cost $35 plus kit fee
Email if you want to be notified when Slither is scheduled again.
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Basketweave
Cateogry: Intermediate Wireworking
Details to follow
Prerequisite: Basic Wirewrapping
Cost $35 plus kit fee
Email if you want to be notified when Basketweave is scheduled again.
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Uncooked Crystal Bling
Cateogry: Beadweaving
In class we will cover a basic beadweaving technique which is known by the acronym RAW, so Uncooked Crystal Bling seemed the natural choice for a name, don't you think?
Students will learn the technique by creating a crystal pendant and then move on to apply what they have learned to construct their bracelt. The pendant design can also be used for earrings if you choose to do those at home. The kit includes enough crystals to construct a bracelet up to 8" in length as well as a pendant.
Be prepared to not have your bracelet completed during class time though some have. You might want to bring a small jewelry-sized box to transport your unfinished work.
This is a beginner's class however being comfortable/experienced handling a needle with long working threads is highly advised.
All levels
Prerequisite: None but it helps to be comfortable using a needle and thread.
Cost $45 plus materials kit fee
Please notify me when Uncooked Crystal Bling is scheduled next.
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Celtic Flower
Cateogry: Chainmaille
The newest in our chainmaille class offerings, Celtic Flower is the first to offer a more sculptural design. It has a nice, airy feel while still being quite substantial. For those of you who have seen it, this chain is part of the evolution of "THE" cuff, and as such, is a prerequisite for that class. The material kit makes a bracelet that is approx. 7 to 7 1/4" long. Rings for additional 'repeats' will be available for purchase during class if you need a longer bracelet.
***Note:
Prerequisite: Byzantine
Cost $35 plus materials kit fee
Please notify me when Celtic Flower is scheduled next.
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Crystals and Silver and Pearls , Oh, My!
Cateogry: Basic Stringing
Discover how to add a clasp to a necklace (or bracelet) by learning how to use crimp beads and crimping pliers while assembling a 'tin cup' style necklace that mimics an illusion (or knotted) necklace. Though you won't be doing any knotting, the necklace is designed to masquerade as a knotted necklace.
Skills covered in class include a foolproof method for consistent spacing, plus ending a necklace (or bracelet) with crimp beads and clasp. If you want a great gift idea that is easy yet impressive, this is what you are looking for! You could be way ahead of the curve for those upcoming birthdays and special events. These make great bridal jewelry!
All skill levels
Please notify me when Crystal, Silver, and Pearls, Oh, My! is scheduled next.
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Foxy
Looking deceptively as if it is woven from fine sterling chain, this is actually the newest in the store's chainmaille class offerings. It is a gorgeous chain. You will be making a bracelet in class but it would make a stunning necklace if made longer. It is fine enough to be the perfect setting for a special large pendant piece but has no problem standing on its own!
Prerequisite: Beginning Chainmaking
Please notify me when Foxy is scheduled next.
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Crystal Snowflake Earrings
Get ready to sparkle and shine with these dainty crystal orbs dangling from your ears! Learn the technique of weaving crystals into this 3D shape then use what you've made to construct a pair of earrings or perhaps a pendant.
Prerequisite: None
Skills needed prior to class: Must know how to assemble earrings using headpins. This will not be taught in class.
Please notify me when Crystal Snowflake is scheduled next.
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Silk
This bracelet feels absolutely dreamy to the touch. There is no capturing the silkiness of this chain in a mere photo. This is the weave that first comes to mind when speaking of chainmaille. Can you imagine wearing a suit of armour made of this? How luxurious! (and HEAVY) it would be. All of the other knights would be in awe. Basic ring kit makes approx. a 6 3/4" bracelet including the clasp. Rings will be available for purchase for those needing additional length.
Prerequisite: Beginning Chainmaking
Email if you want to be notified when Silk is scheduled again.
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