Innovative Approaches to Color & Design #1: A Study of Contrasts

In this class we will explore the contrasts that are traditionally associated with color…hue, value, temperature, complements, saturation, proportion as well as the fascinating properties of simultaneous contrast.  We will consider the qualities of each contrast, identify their characteristics and determine how we can use these contrasts to make our work stronger and more interesting.  This advanced color class is $75 which includes materials/supplies.

Prerequisites: Color Awareness, Designing with Beads, Integrating Color & Design.

Check our Calendar for upcoming dates, or Contact Us to request this class.

Study #4 in Applied Color and Design: Gray Matters

Neutral colors are often considered weak and ineffective. However, in design as well as palette they are not to be ignored! In this session, NEUTRALITY, you will explore techniques for turning passivity into activity, weakness into strength, and the ho-hum into humdinger! This workshop is one of four applied color and design workshops. You may take the four workshops in any order.

This classes requires prerequisites of two basic classes: Designing with Beads and Color Awareness.

Check our Calendar for upcoming dates, or Contact Us to request this class.

Designing with Beads

There’s more to making jewelry than just putting together a bunch of beads, and somehow we all know that instinctively.  This class is designed to give you some vocabulary to understand what you know intuitively… to introduce design elements, the basic building blocks of all artistic media.  What are these design elements?  How are they used? How do they apply to beading?  How can I use them to make my jewelry more interesting?  Hands-on exercises in class will help you focus on practical application.  This class, for beginners as well as experienced beaders, will give you a new perspective in creating and designing jewelry with all kinds of beads including seed beads.

Check our Calendar for upcoming dates, or Contact Us to request this class.

The Ethical Beader

What is the public domain?  What is proprietary?  Is it ‘inspired by’ or is it a copy?  Is it OK to ‘borrow’ someone else’s design to make jewelry to sell at a fair or exhibit in a gallery?  Is it OK to give a friend a copy of the instructions you received in a class?

These are not always easy questions to answer.  And to make matters more confusing, the practices and philosophies of different designers can vary significantly on some of these issues.  The Ethical Beader will use THREE CASE STUDIES as a basis for discussion about these difficult and frustrating topics.  The class is designed to help you develop a framework for evaluating these and similar situations so that you can make ethical decisions with confidence.  This class is open to anyone interested in this topic and is required for the Journeyman level of the Master Beader Program. Case studies will be distributed several days prior to each class date. 2.5 hour class.

Color Awareness

Start an exploration of color and become aware of making conscious color choices!  This class will introduce the traditional pigment color wheel.  You will become familiar with basic color relationships as well as the characteristics and properties of color.  Exercises with a variety of media will give you concrete experiences to help you make more informed color choices for your beadwork…or any art or craft.

3 hour class.

Check our Calendar for upcoming dates, or Contact Us to request this class.

Study #3 in Applied Color and Design: Transitions & Boundaries

Moving from one color or design element to another in a piece can be tricky business. In this session, TRANSITIONS AND BOUNDARIES, you will explore how various design techniques can be used to manage changes and help you create a piece where color and design move seamlessly throughout a piece. This workshop is one of four intermediate applied color and design workshops. You may take the four workshops in any order.

This class requires 2 prerequisite basic classes: Designing with Beads and Color Awareness.

Check our Calendar for upcoming dates, or Contact Us to request this class.

Cluster Knot Necklace

The Cluster Knot Necklace is created building several strands of knotted bead clusters over a base anchor strand. It can be classic or dramatic depending on bead choice and number of strands used.

Pre-requisite: Getting Started with Beading class.

Check our Calendar for upcoming dates, or Contact Us to request this class.

Floating Necklace

A beaded necklace that has floating beads! In this class, you will learn how to use knots, glue and crimps to make floating single and multiple strand necklaces.

Check our Calendar for upcoming dates, or Contact Us to request this class.

Beadpoint: Beaded Cuff or Box

Beadpoint, a popular Victorian technique, provides the look of needlepoint with a texture. This class will provide basic information about choices regarding, beads, canvas, stitches and finishing. All you need to know to get started and create your own Beadpoint cuff, pin or box.

Check our Calendar for upcoming dates, or Contact Us to request this class.

Getting Started with Beading

This free class was designed for anyone who wants the scoop about how to get started stringing beads (2 methods) and constructing basic earrings. Covering the basic techniques, we’ll string a necklace or bracelet with nylon thread and bead tips, string a necklace with beading wire and crimps, and if time make a pair of earrings with headpins and a basic loop. This class is perfect for the beginner just getting started.

You are welcome to bring your own materials or purchase needed items in studio.

Check our Calendar for upcoming dates, or Contact Us to request this class.