Thank you for your interest in beading and jewelry-making classes offered by Potomac Bead Company stores. We now have over 100 different classes offered on our rotating monthly schedules. These classes include everything from beginner levels through advanced, and will teach you the skills to make beautiful jewelry or bead related crafts of any kind.
Most classes are between 1.5 – 2.5 hours long and meet just once. This is convenient for those who do not want to commit to a set schedule of courses. The classes may also be taken in any order and by anyone, though we do encourage you to build upon the basics. To open the class schedules above, simply click on the link, and the schedule will be opened in your Adobe Viewer. Classes vary in difficulty and skill level from beginner to advanced. We break our jewelry-making classes down into different levels, so that you know where to begin, what you’ve learned, and what to take next. A great place to begin is with the 100-level Basic Beading classes. While it is not required that you take any one class before another, we suggest generally following the jewelry-making class list (below) from top to bottom so that you can build upon skills you’ve learned already and hone your skills at a comfortable pace. To the right are some of our featured classes, and a list of all classes taught at The Potomac Bead Company is available below.
Beading classes generally cost between $10 and $30, though a few "materials included" classes such as glass fusing and precious metal clay are higher because the materials and kilnfiring are included with the class fee. We usually do not include the materials in the cost of a class because we want you to have the freedom to work with the beads and findings that you like best, and give you the flexibility to be creative. We will of course be available to show you what types of materials will be best for each project and help you in any way possible.
We also offer jewelry-making group and party discounts for groups or parties of any size and all ages. For most introductory level parties or group discounts, the class fee per person in most
stores drops to $10-15 (from$18) and requires a minimum of just five people. Potomac Bead Company stores have taught tens of thousands of individuals to make their own
jewelry and other projects, so take your first steps towards artistic feedom at any store!
CLASS LISTING: This is a list of available jewelry-making classes offered on a rotating basis in most Potomac Bead Company stores. Click on each class for more information. Not every class is offered in every store, but you can request classes at your local location.
BASIC BEADING classes are suggested classes for those with little-to-no experience. These classes will teach you the basic skills needed to begin almost any project.
WIRE WORKING classes are the logical next step in the design process, teaching you to create your own findings, create links, use chain, make free-form designs, and wrap pendants and beads.
For even more wire working classes, see the "Advanced Wire" section
JUMP RING BEADING classes teach you to use jump rings to create earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Endless variations can be utilized when you learn these principles and patterns .
BEAD WEAVING classes are a great intermediary step between stringing/project classes and seed beading classes. Generally these classes use a mix of different types of beads, including Czech, seed beads, pearls, crystals, and gemstones to create beautiful pieces with interesting patterns.
FUSING & PMC classes are materials-included classes. In these workshops you learn to make your own glass pendants, beads, earrings and more.
Fusing 401 – Intro to Dichroic Glass
Fusing 402 – Advanced Fusing
Fusing 403 – Slumping
PMC 411 – Intro to Precious Metal Clay
PMC 412 – PMC Charms
PMC 413 – PMC Advanced Mixed Medium
PMC 414 – PMC Rings
PMC 415 – PMC Findings
RESIN classes teach how to use various types of clear resins to preserve memories and create beautiful pendants, rings, bracelets, and more.
Resin 421 – Intro to Resin Pendants
Resin 422 –Mixed Media Resin
Resin 433 - Resin Beads
POLYMER CLAY classes teach how to make nearly anything with polymer clay, which can be easily fired in any oven.
Polymer Clay 501 – Intro to Polymer
Polymer Clay 502 – Pendants
Polymer Clay 503 – Advanced Techniques
Polymer Clay 504 – Ornaments
Polymer Clay 505 – Rings
Polymer Clay 506 – Mosaic Pendant
METAL WORKING classes demonstrate techniques for working with various metals (silver, brass, copper, gold), including shaping, bending, stamping, and soldering metals.
Metal Working 601 – Intro to Riveting, Stamping, & Piercing (Pendant)
Metal Working 602 – Riveted Trinket Bracelet
Metal Working 603 – Wire Tab Pendant
Metal Working 604 – Soldering
CHILDREN'S BEADING classes are beading fun for kids ages 7 - 13.
Children’s Beading 01 – Basic Necklace and Bracelet
