BEADING CLASSES AND COURSE OFFERINGS

2012 Beading Class Schedules:

Most classes are between 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 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 c lasses generally cost between $12 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 $12-15 (from$18) and requires a minimum of just five people. Potomac Bead Company stores have taught 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.

Basic Beading 101 – Necklace and Bracelet	Basic Beading 102 – Beginner’s Earrings	Basic Beading 103 – Watch Making
Basic Beading 104 – Multi-Strand Necklace	Basic Beading 105 – Hemp Jewelry	Basic Beading 106 – Bead Knotting

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

Wire Working 201 – Intro to Wire Working	Wire Working 202 – Chain Link Jewelry	Wire Working 203 – Wire Earrings
Wire Working 204 – Bangle Bracelet	Wire Working 205 – Wire Bead Wrapping	Wire Working 206 – Wire Rings
Wire Working 207 – Wire Viking Knit	Wire Working 208 – Wire Wrapped Pendants	Wire Working 209 – Hammered Wire Pendants
Wire Working 210 – Macrame Wire Cuff	Wire Working 211 – Beaded Spiral Cuffs	Wire Working 212 – Egyptian Coil

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 .

Jump Ring Beading 220 – Jump Ring Earrings	Jump Ring Beading 221 – Byzantine Bracelet	Jump Ring Beading 222 – 4-in-1 Bracelet
Jump Ring Beading 223 – Orbital Link Bracelet	Jump Ring Beading 224 – Flower Bracelet	Jump Ring Beading 225 – Trizentine Bracelet
Jump Ring Beading 226 – Full Persian Weave	Jump Ring Beading 227 – Celtic Visions Pendant	Jump Ring Beading 228 – Floating Crystals Bracelet
Jump Ring Beading 229 - Dragonscale	Jump Ring Beading 230 - Half Persian Weave	Jump Ring Beading 231 - Parallel Crystal Bracelet
Jump Ring Beading 232 - Japanese 12-in-2

 
ADVANCED WIRE WORKING classes teach more difficult skills working with wire.

Advanced Wire Working 301 – Cabochon Wrapping	Advanced Wire Working 302 – Wire Bead Making	Advanced Wire Working 303 – Pins
Advanced Wire Working 304 – Findings	Advanced Wire Working 305 – Wire Cuff Bracelet	Advanced Wire Working 306 – Wire Bead Cage
Advanced Wire Working 307 – Advanced Rings

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.

Bead Weaving 251 - Diagonal Stitch Bracelet	Bead Weaving 251 - Pretty Beaded Beads	Bead Weaving 252 - Swarovski 2 Layer Flowers
Bead Weaving 253 – Flat Spiral	Bead Weaving 254 – Chevron Stitch Bracelet	Bead Weaving 255 – Even Peyote Stitch
Bead Weaving 256 - Crystal Open Diamond Pendant

SEED BEADING classes open endless creative possibilities.  You’ll be amazed to discover how many projects await you in this area.

Seed Beading 311 – Peyote Stitch	Seed Beading 312 – Spiral Rope Stitch	Seed Beading 313 – Flat Herring Bone Stitch
Seed Beading 314 – Right Angle Weave	Seed Beading 315 – Ladder & Brick Stitch	Seed Beading 316 – Seed Bead Pendant Bezels
Seed Beading 317 – Tubular Herring Bone	Seed Beading 318 – Hollow Peyote Stitch	Seed Beading 319 – Netted Bead
Seed Beading 320 –Fringe Bracelet	Seed Beading 321 – Freeform Peyote Stitch	Seed Beading 322 – Rivoli Bezel
Seed Beading 323 – Beaded Crochet	Seed Beading 324 - Circular Peyote Stitch	Seed Beading 325 - Circular Brick Stitch
Seed Beading 326 - Cellini Spiral	Seed Beading 327 - Chevron V Channel	Seed Beading 328 - Helix Spiral Bracelet
Seed Beading 329 - Raised Peyote Stitch

PROJECT CLASSES teach different specific skills which can be used alone or together to make very unique jewelry art.

Project Class 131 – Charm Bracelets	Project Class 132 – Seed Bead Ornaments	Project Class 133 – Crystal Heart Pendant
Project Class 134 – Ribbon & Bead Necklace	Project Class 135 – Leather & Chain Bracelet	Project Class 136 – Czech Fluff Bracelet
Project Class 137 – Illusion Necklaces	Project Class 138 – Lanyard Badge Class	Project Class 139 – Rosary Making
Project Class 140 – Beaded Netting Decorations	Project Class 141 – Crystal Rings	Project Class 142 – Wire Woven Cuff
Project Class 143 – Leather Wrapped Bracelet	Project Class 144 – Button Necklace	Project Class 145 - Miscellaneous Projects (Bookmarks, Wine Charms, Ornaments)
Project Class 146 – Pretty Beaded Beads	Project Class 147 - Swarovski May Flowers	Project Class 148 - Seed Bead Rings
Project Class 149 - Kumihimo Braiding	Project Class 150 - Seed Bead Earrings	Project Class 151 - Beaded Cross
Project Class 152 - Beaded Crystal Ball	Project Class 153 - Safety Pin Bracelet	Project Class 154 - Daisy Flower
Project Class 155 - Tree of Life Pendant	Project Class 156 - Interchangeable Necklace

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	Children’s Beading 02 – Advanced Memory Wire Bracelet & Earrings	Children’s Beading 03 – Children’s Peyote Stitch Bracelet

To register for a class, call or email:

Hagerstown: (301) 393-4667, hagerstown@potomacbeads.com
Chambersburg: (717) 263-2323, chambersburg@potomacbeads.com
Fort Myers: (239) 337-9900, ftmyers@potomacbeads.com
Hanover: (717) 634-2713, hanover@potomacbeads.com
Glasgow: glasgow@potomacbeads.com
Winchester: (540) 722-8863, winchester@potomacbeads.com
Alexandria: (703) 299-8730, alexandria@potomacbeads.com
Mechanicsburg: (717) 796-2323, mechanicsburg@potomacbeads.com
Phoenixville: (610) 415-9991 , phoenixville@potomacbeads.com
Medina: (330) 722-2555, medina@potomacbeads.com
Ocean City : (609) 399-4400, oceancity@potomacbeads.com
Doylestown: (215) 348-7223, doylestown@potomacbeads.com