Workspace
Reed's Beads has a classroom, workspace, and tools available for
your use during a class or just a visit to our store. If you require assistance,
and the store is not busy, we'll be glad to help you design or finish your
piece. If you're planning on coming in with a large group of people, please call
in advance to ensure that the classroom is not in use. If you are planning on
bringing a group in, and need in instruction, please review our party info.
Class Policies
Reed's Beads has
the following class policies:
- To secure a seat in a class, the class must be paid for in full.
Class registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable, meaning
a refund or store credit will not be given unless we cancel the class due
to low participation, bad weather, etc. Please only register for a class
after you’ve checked your schedule.
- Participants in a class must be 14 years of age or older, or must be
accompanied by an adult also taking the class. Please do not bring children
or non-registered guests to class.
- If you are interested in individual instruction, please contact us.
Time and an instructor may be reserved for 1-4 people during the weekday or
in the evening when other events (classes or parties) have not been scheduled.
Offsite classes may be a possibility.
- Unless otherwise stated, the class instructor is a Reed’s Beads staff
member, and the class limit is 4 people.
- Please plan on arriving for class at the scheduled time, as the store
will not open early for class. This is especially important for Weds. evening
and morning classes.
- Class time for purchases will be provided. Students receive a 10%
discount on purchases made during classes, except for free workshops and demos.
- If you require magnifying glasses or a task light, please bring them to class.
Classes Offered
Please refer to the calendar(s) below to see when the following classes are being offered.
Art Clay Silver classes - please see below
Bead Crochet Bangle
Cost: $60.00 for instruction and supplies.
Students will learn bead crochet on a sample piece
and will then begin their own striped bangle using
6/o seed beads. The bangle will not be finished in
class. Student may need to return to finish their bangle.
Crochet experience is helpful, but unnecessary.
Supplies include size 6/o seed beads,
one spool of C-lon nylon cord, crochet hook.
Student will need a beading needle and nylon beading thread to finish.
Beaded Watch
Cost: $45.00 for instruction and watch face. Beads and supplies
are an additional cost. Students will learn how to make a single
or double strand beaded watch band for their watch face.
Prerequisite: Bead Stringing Basics
Bead Stringing Basics
Cost: $30.00 for instruction. Supplies are an additional cost. Students
will receive a thorough introduction to beading supplies and tools, and
learn tips and techniques for finishing a simple, one-strand bracelet or
necklace that they will begin in class.
Bead Weaving Series
Cost: $20.00 for instruction. Beads and supplies are an additional cost.
Supplies needed include (but are not limited to)
beading needles, 6/o, 8/o, and 11/o Japanese seed beads, nylon
beading thread or Fireline, and thread lubricant such as beeswax or
Thread Heaven. Have you wanted to try off-loom bead weaving, but
you don’t know how to begin? This class will provide you with
the basics of the topic stitch and have you practice by making
a swatch using the stitch. NOTE: We will not be making a project
in class. After class, the stitch can be translated to the project
of your choice.
Chain Maille Byzantine Bracelet
Cost: $60.00 for instruction and supplies. Students will be introduced
to ancient chain-making techniques and tricks for making a tightly
woven Byzantine chain. Students will begin a bracelet in class and
finish it at home. The end result is a great piece for men and women alike!
Crazy Cluster Bracelet
Cost: $60.00 for instruction and most supplies. Accent beads are an additional cost
(expect to spend an additional $20 on accent beads, depending upon how full you
want your bracelet to look). Students will create a thick dangle bracelet using
basic beadweaving techniques. Prerequisite: Bead Stringing Basics
Demo
Free demonstrations will be offered on beading techniques changing weekly.
Sign-up is not required.
Topics may include: crimping, wireworking, metal clay, off-loom beadweaving,
bead crochet, kumihimo, color, etc. Participation in demos does not qualify
for class discount.
Earring Workshops
These
workshops will meet once a week except for the last class, when we’ll meet for 2
hours. You don’t need to attend every workshop in order, however, the last class
does have prerequisites of attending the first four workshops.
- Easy Earrings - Earring Workshop 1 (Beginner) Cost: $20.00 for
instruction. Supplies are an additional cost. Students will learn the correct technique
of making basic earring loops in this workshop. There’s no limit to how many
pairs of earrings you can make!
- Chandelier Earrings – Earring Workshop 2 (Intermediate) Cost:
$20.00 for instruction. Supplies are an additional cost. Students will make
chandelier earrings using chandelier components and will learn the proper
technique for making wirewrapped loops. Prerequisite: Earring Workshop 1
- Cascade Earrings – Earring Workshop 3 (Intermediate) Cost: $20.00
for instruction. Supplies are an additional cost. Students will begin a pair of
cascade earrings using the correct wirewrapping techniques for a top-drilled bead.
Prerequisites: Earring Workshops 1 & 2
- Wirewrapped Hoops – Earring Workshop 4 (Intermediate) Cost: $20.00
for instruction. Supplies are an additional cost. Students will learn techniques
to wirewrap beads to hoops using fine wire.
Prerequisites: Earring Workshops 1, 2, & 3
- Handmade Chandelier Earrings – Earring Workshop 5 (Advanced) Cost:
$40.00 for instruction. Supplies are an additional cost. Students will make
chandelier earrings by hand using chain, wire, and beads. Prerequisites:
Earring Workshops 1, 2, 3, & 4.
Formal Jewelry Workshop
Cost: $20.00 for instruction.
Supplies are an additional cost. Ideal for cocktail parties, weddings, proms, etc.
Bring a swatch or photo of
your dress, or have an idea of what you want to make and we’ll make jewelry to
match! Please have some ideas regarding what type of jewelry you want to make
prior to class.
Illusion Jewelry
Cost: $20.00 for instruction.
Supplies are an additional cost. Students
will learn different techniques for making a simple, one-strand illusion
bracelet or necklace.
Kumihimo Necklace
Cost: $30.00 for instruction. Supplies are an additional cost. Students will
begin a kumihimo woven necklace in class and finish it at home.
PLEASE NOTE: You will need a kumihimo disk, bobbins, fibers, a pendant,
2 large cones, 1’ of 20 gauge wire, and a clasp for this class. All
supplies are available at the store.
Lariat Wrap Necklace
Cost: $20.00 for instruction. Supplies are an additional cost. Students will
make a cord necklace of their choice (suede, satin, leather, organza, silk, etc.)
with beaded dangles at each end to be tied or looped as a closure. Techniques
will include simple wire loops and wrapping.
Macrame Half Hitch Bracelet
Cost: $30.00 for instruction. Supplies are an additional cost.
Students will begin a macramé bracelet in class and will finish it at home.
PLEASE NOTE: You will need C-Lon nylon cord, E-6000 glue, any beads with
medium to large holes (6/o and 8/o seed beads, drops, cubes,
Czech glass, etc.) and one large bead or button (large hole necessary)
for this project. All supplies are available at the store. Techniques
include half-hitch knots and making a bead & loop closure.
Macrame Square Knot Bracelet
Cost: $55.00 for instruction and supplies. Students will make a macramé
bracelet with nylon cord, furnace glass, and a bumpy lampwork bead.
Techniques include square knots and making an adjustable closure.
Mother’s Bracelet
Cost: $30.00 for instruction. Beads and supplies are an additional cost, and
may cost anywhere from $25 – $60 depending upon how many strands your bracelet
will hold. Students will get help designing a mother’s bracelet that they will
begin in class. Please know the birthdates of the mother’s children and the mother’s
wrist size so that we may easily design the bracelet.
Prerequisite: Bead Stringing
Basics
Open Workshop
Cost: free, however, you must make a reservation to guarantee a seat.
Hang out and relax with other beaders and Bring Your Own beading project.
Participation in open workshops does not qualify for class discount.
Pearl Knotting Techniques
Cost: $55.00 for instruction and supplies. Students will learn different methods for
knotting pearls/beads, including knotting with an awl, tweezers, and a Tri-cord
Knotter. Appropriate methods of finishing pearls will be discussed including use
of French wire, beadtips, and clasps.
Peyote Stitch Bracelet
Cost: TBD. Info coming soon!
RAW (Right Angle Weave) bracelet
Cost: $45.00 for instruction and supplies.
Students will use the double-needle right angle
weave technique to make a bracelet.
Supplies include beads, wire, and toggle clasp.
Simple Necklaces
Cost: $20 for instruction. Supplies are an additional cost. Come in and make some quick
necklaces as gifts! Students may choose from three styles of simple bead &
chain necklaces (dangle, pendant, or lariat).
Spiral Rope Bracelet
Cost: $40.00 for instruction and supplies.
Students will begin a bracelet in class using the beadweaving spiral rope
technique and finish at home. Supplies include beading needle,
pewter toggle clasp, thread, and seed beads.
Wirewrapped Cuff Bracelet
Cost: $50.00 for instruction, your choice of leather
cuff or copper cuff, and 3’ of wire. Beads are an additional cost. Students will begin
wirewrapping a cuff bracelet with beads of their choice.
Wirewrapping Basics
Cost: $55.00 for instruction and supplies. Students will learn wirewrapping
techniques for jewelry using wire and beads. Students will begin a completely
handmade bracelet in class and finish it at home.
Wirewrapping 2 (Advanced)
Cost: $55.00 for instruction and supplies. Students will learn the wirewrapping
techniques for top-drilled beads and freeform wrapping by making a chain and
wire necklace. Students will begin project in class.
Prerequisite: Wirewrapping Basics
Wirewrapping 3 (Advanced)
Cost: $55.00 for instruction and supplies. Students will learn techniques
for framing beads with wire by making a bracelet that will be started in class.
Prerequisite: Wirewrapping Basics
The Art Clay Silver Classes
What is Art Clay Silver? ACS is pure silver ground to a
fine powder, mixed with an organic binder and water so that it has the
consistency of clay. You mold and design your piece, and after allowing it to
dry, it is fired in a kiln, where the water and organic binder content burn off.
You’re left with a fine silver (99.9 % pure silver) piece.
Why ACS?
There are other metal clays available on the market. ACS is non-toxic, and
made from recycled silver (from photo negatives, etc.). Shrinkage with ACS is
about 8-10%, and ACS 650 has the lowest shrinkage percentage on the market of
8-9%.
How to use ACS?
Use this fabulous product to create your own
design. ACS comes in various forms, including paste, syringe type (with 3
different sized tips available), in a slow dry formula, and in the 650 formula.
After drying the clay may be fired in a kiln or by using a number of other
methods. This is a very forgiving product that offers endless options, and most
find it to be easier than casting or silversmithing.
ACS can be used to create silver pieces from natural objects (leaves, simple flowers, etc.) You can
set a number of semi-precious and precious stones in it (with or without a bezel
or prongs), or you can use simulated stones. You can shine it to a high polish,
leave it with a beautiful matte finish, or give it a wonderful patina. And, if
you decide later to solder something to it, you can do so later.
For more information, please check out the Art Clay Silver Basics book with
English translation, or the book Art Clay Silver & Gold, by Jackie
Truty. Both books are available at Reed’s Beads.
Intro to Art Clay Silver (ACS)
Cost - $75.00 for instruction and supplies. In this class
you will use Art Clay Silver 650, texturizing plates, tools, etc. to make a
99.9% pure silver pendant. Please ask to see store samples of what can be
created with ACS.
Art Clay Silver and Bisque
Cost: $65.00 for instruction and supplies. In this class you will
use Art Clay Silver on a patterned bisque pendant / link for use as a focal
point on a necklace or bracelet. Students must return at a later time to finish their pieces.
Note: This class uses the paste form of the clay only.
Art Clay Silver and Dichroic Glass
Cost:
$85.00 for instruction and supplies. In this class you will use Art Clay Silver
650 and a dichroic glass cabochon to make a beautiful pendant.
Prerequisite: Intro to Art Clay Silver
November 2008 class calendar
December 2008 class calendar- sign ups now open
Reed's Beads 32 N. Main St.,
Ambler PA 19002
215.540.5585