Technicolor Art Bead Necklace
Showcase your favorite Artist’s bead in colorful wire. Choose a focal bead and several accents; add color and shape into sensuous wire scrolls. A simple chain and clasp finishes this dramatic one-of-a-kind necklace.
Guinevere’s Garland
Graceful tendrils of silver and hand forged leaves dripping with beautiful flowers, and foliage. The very things Guinevere might have collected for herself in the forests of Camelot. Delicate in appearance but strong and determined like the Lady herself.
Pansies
Create colorful little wire sculptures at the end of a stem reminiscent of flowers. Fanciful creations that loop and spring in every direction; this is wirework with a sense of humor. These pieces will tickle your eye and free your creativity. One fun fact about these small decorative pieces is most of “the rules” do not apply, you can make them loopy or pointy or springy and no one gets hurt.
Wire Embroidery Pins
Try wire embroidery in miniature on a classy pin embellished with colored wire and beads. Learn to make wire elements, springs, scrolls and shells, and “stitch” them to the pin base along with beautiful accent beads. These are so irresistible you will probably want to make two or three!
Business Plan 101
Are you getting serious about turning your hobby into a business? Stop dreaming and start planning! Lay the groundwork for success by writing a business plan, a budget, and outlining your goals. Consider using your own name versus a DBA; sales tax reporting; additional tax consequences of being an employer. Review pricing strategies, marking and tracking inventory, and marketing your work. Sample formats, forms and worksheets provided.
Caged Wire Wrap
A wire wrap designed to capture your special treasures… not a bead, not a cabochon… not a problem. This wrap design traps your favorite rock, shell, fossil, marble or found object in a cage of wire. Learn to make a double bail, and simple embellishments to finish the project.
Charmed!
A bracelet or necklace of your favorite beads. Start by making the links that serve as the base for this bracelet; we will review good technique for producing consistent, quality links. Pull together a special collection of beads, and then using a variety of head pins (custom made, and purchased), we will wrap each bead. Assemble the collection and the finished product reflects your unique style.
Custom Clasps
Enhance and personalize your original work with clasps customized to complement your pieces. Learn five designs from elegantly simple to complex beaded and coiled closures. Design and technical elements will be discussed. Some wire working experience necessary.
Framed – A Showcase Necklace
Showcase a favorite focal bead in an elegant wire frame and complete the necklace with coordinating beads and decorative wire links. For drama, complete this project in 14-gauge wire; for a more delicate look, use 16-gauge wire. The class will include hand forging; winding springs and hand-cut jump rings; “S” hook clasp; and basic links.
Knot Bead
Freeform wire bead, simple or extravagant, and always evocative. Using several gauges of wire and lots of imagination, you can create a pendant or bead links. We will construct these in several variations to build your wire skills. Finish by antiquing to accentuate the detail of these complex designs.
Sculptural Bead and Wire Cuff
Display an elegant sculptured bead as the centerpiece for this cuff bracelet. Add coordinating lamp work or other large-hole beads to accent the formed wire face. Connect the front to the back with lush strands of beads and chain — imagination is the key and the sky is the limit when choosing beads to link it all together. Finish the project with a hand-forged toggle clasp.
Whimsical Wire Links and Design
(A Necklace of Freeform Elements, Links and Beads) Build your skills and challenge your creativity. Using heavier gauges of wire, you will create original elements and practice good technique for bending 18-, 16- and 14-gauge wire. Bring your favorite large-hole beads to incorporate in unusual bead and wire combinations. Next, make the connection — create an original necklace using your whimsical wire links. Design and composition, symmetry and mirror image will be reviewed. Add beads, make more of your favorite links and pull it all together in a big, bold wire design.
Whimsical Wire Links Two
An advanced wire techniques class to take your skills to the next level. Pre-requisite of Whimsical Wire Links or other experience working in larger-gauge wire. Explore a variety of links, decorative elements and techniques. Increase your skills, using the basic tools to create new shapes. Practice twisting wire to increase visual interest in your work. Add dimension, using liver of sulfur to give it a beautiful aged patina.
Wire in Color – Sculptural Necklace
Start by building an armature; this acts as the base for springs, coils, scrolls and shells we will make with colorful enameled wire. Beads and other embellishments will be combined in a free-form approach, adding various elements until the result is pleasing to your eye. Complete the piece with a hand-forged chain and custom clasp.