The regular conference runs from July 16 to 18, 2009, while the pre-conference classes take place on July 13 to 15.  All information and registration forms can be found at the link above.  One of the teachers will be the talented Lis-el Crowley, whose work is pictured below!

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Picket Fence Bracelet with Connie Birmingham

The Beadin’ Path in Freeport Maine has a list online of all the wonderful classes that you can take there. You probably already know them as a fabulous supplier of vintage glass and Lucite beads…now get to know them as a great source for education!

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From Metal & Color Class

Elaine Luther is teaching this Spring at the Indianapolis Art Center in Indy, IN. She’s teaching a patinas weekend workshop and a PMC/BronzClay weekend workshop.

Elaine also told me about the Metal Clay Academy, which has lists of training opportunities.

Metal & Color
Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. & Sunday 12-3 p.m.
April 26 & 27

Lab Fee (included): $50
Non-Member Price: $234
Member Price: $225

BronzClay + Precious Metal Clay
Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. & Sunday 12-3 p.m.
March 14 & 15
Lab Fee (included): $50
Non-Member Price: $234
Member Price: $225

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Jennifer Heynen, aka Jennifer Jangles is teaching both in Miami and at Bead & Button this year!  Visit Jennifer’s site for additional information or to contact her.

Ceramic Vessels and Rattles and an Intro to Raku

Date: Sat and Sun, April 18 – 19, 2009, 10 AM to 4 PM in Miami

Description: We are taking ceramic bead making to the next level to create vessels & rattles. Students will learn basic ceramic bead shapes as well as how to create hollow forms: vessels or rattles. For those who didn’t take the 2008 class, the focus will be on basic bead shapes. But, don’t worry, the 2008 class is not a prerequisite and the required kit includes all materials for bead making! In addition, all students will get an introduction to raku, with an opportunity to complete one pendant.

Here are the Bead and Button Classes…

Making Ceramic Beads, Components, and Findings
Come learn the techniques of ceramic bead making from the author of “Ceramic Bead Jewelry.” In this fun class, you will learn everything you need to know about making, glazing, and firing your own ceramic beads. Students will learn how embedded wire is used for making components and findings as well as beads. Class will focus on making the basic shapes, links, components, hollow beads, and pendants. Different decorating techniques will be discussed. Past students have completed as many as 30-100 beads in class.

Making Ceramic Beads and Vessels
This fun class is taught by the author of “Ceramic Bead Making.” The class will focus on the basics of ceramic bead and vessel making. Learn to make basic ceramic bead shapes and pendants. Also learn vessel-making techniques for making rattle beads, miniature amphoras, and more. Learn to decorate the beads in class using underglazes and glazes.

Ceramic Bead Making
Come learn the technique of ceramic bead making in this class. This fun class is taught by the artist and author of “Ceramic Bead Making.” Students will learn to make basic bead shapes, pendants, and components. Students will decorate the beads in class using underglazes and glazes. Additional session offered Sunday, June 7 (B09325).

Kilns 101
Have a kiln but are afraid to use it? Thinking about buying a kiln and not sure which one to buy? This is the class for you. Many kilns can be used for ceramics, glass, and metal clay. Students will learn which kilns are best for each media. There will be demonstrations on loading and firing ceramic beads, glass fusing, and firing metal clay. We will go over sample firing schedules for all three medias. There will also be an extensive question-and-answer session, so students are encouraged to bring their kiln manuals to class.

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Beads by John Winter

More Tucson news!  February 3 through 8, the Manning House will be open for beady business.

At the gorgeous Manning House, Exhibitors offer classes and workshops demonstrating how to create artistic pieces such as the ones they exhibit. These classes and workshops are held throughout the day, every day of the show.  Classes range from beginner to advanced, and cover beading, polymer, metal, glass, and business savvy!  The fabulous John Winter and Linda Gettings are just two of the names you’ll recognize!!

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Opie and Linda O’Brien
Burnt Offerings
Burnt Offerings blog
Burnt Offerings etsy store

See Opie and Linda’s class schedule on Layers Upon Layers.

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Instructor: Marla Gassner

Carmen Miranda Bangle Bracelet
Location: Tucson, AZ
Date: Feb 5, 2009

Create a stunning bangle bracelet, using handmade silk cording as the base to fit your wrist size, embellished with various shaped Crystallized Swarovski elements. The kits are specially created by the artist/teacher, Marla Gassner. The kit color is oranges, browns, blacks and clear crystal on beige or gray silk cording. All supplies are included, beginners are welcome and will complete the bracelet within the class. It is a one of a kind, knockout bracelet. Cost: $60. Sign up on the Swarovski website.

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All you have to do is provide a place to bead and Beading Buds brings the beading party to you, we bring the beading supplies, the instructors and the fun. We specialize in children’s birthday beading parties, but can customize our bead party to any event and/or occasion. We cater to ages 5 and up.

Our beading parties include:

• Tons of different beads and findings to choose from;
• A large selection of jewellery that can be made;
• A team of experienced and exciting jewellery designers to teach and assist for a minimum hour and 15 minutes;
• A special “Beading Princess” tiara for the birthday girl (upon request);
• …And most importantly…FUN!!

We are located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). We provide beading party services to Oakville, Brampton, Port Credit, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Toronto, North York, Thornhill and Richmond Hill.

For more information click on the “Beading Parties” tab or contact us at 647-225-1017 or contactus @ beadingbuds.com (remove the spaces).

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Instructor: Linda Kaye-Moses

Double-Textured Domed Pendant Using Fine Silver Precious Metal Clay
Location: Whole Lotta Whimsy, Tucson AZ
Dates: February 7-8, 2009

In this two-day workshop you will make a Double-Textured Domed Pendant using PMC3. Each side of the pendant will be embellished with a different texture; each texture achieved using a different method. After the pendant has been fired, each side will be individually enameled using vitreous enamels.
For the first texture, a Silicone Printing Plate, you will learn to hand carve a printing block. To create the second texture, you will make a Micro-folded Metal Printing Plate.

For the Silicone Printing Plate you will select a design, transfer it to a printing block, and then carve the block using linoleum carvers. You will learn to use the Bonny Doon Micro-folding Brake (a corrugating tool) to make the Micro-folded Metal Printing Plate, and the resulting corrugations will then be altered to produce unique patterns.

The enameling process for the pendant will be an adapation of champlevé enameling. For that process enamels are laid on an etched metal surface, but for this project, rather than etching the surface, you will create the patterned surfaces with the above-mentioned textures. The enamels will be wet-laid onto the surfaces of the fired and burnished Domed Pendant.

The only limit to bringing this pendant into material form is your imagination and the only prerequisite is enthusiasm.

A Fine Silver Fused Loop-in-Loop Chain
Location: Whole Lotta Whimsy, Tucson AZ
Dates: February 10, 2009

In this one-day workshop, you will learn to fuse fine silver wire links that will then be joined to create a simple Loop-in-Loop Chain. This is a very ancient process that can be adapted for contemporary pendants and neckpieces and that looks delicate, but is strong and durable.

Chasing the Rainbow; Color on Precious Metal Clay
Location: Metalwerx, Waltham MA
Dates: April 17-19, 2009

We will explore the use of metal clay and color. Using Fine Silver Precious Metal Clay (PMC3) we will make wearable objects (pendants, beads or earrings), both hollow and solid with both subtle and deep textures. Allowing the silver to shine through, we will add color to these objects with vitreous enamels.

Experience in jewelrymaking or enameling is not required for this class, where the only limit is your imagination and the only prerequisite is enthusiasm. Beginners will receive the personal attention that will help them work with the PMC, though some experience with Precious Metal Clay will be helpful.
Metal clay techniques will be presented through a series of simple projects and exercises designed to help bring your personal concept into a material form.

Bead Making with Precious Metal Clay
Location: Snow Farm, Williamsburg MA
Dates: August 6-9, 2009

Beads are the most ancient form of personal adornment and this workshop will teach the most modern bead making methods, using fine/pure silver Precious Metal Clay. From the most simple to advanced beads, from solid to hollow-formed beads, the beads projects introduced will be based on my book, Jewelry Arts Workshop; Metal Clay Beads (Creative Publishing International, publication date-June, 2009). Examples and demonstrations will only be the beginning, as you will create a series of appliqued, hollow, enameled, colored beads of fine silver.

We will use Original and PMC3. Experience in jewelrymaking or enameling is not required for this class, where the only limit is your imagination and the only prerequisite is enthusiasm. Beginners will receive the personal attention that will help them work with the PMC, though some experience with Precious Metal Clay will be helpful.

Metal clay techniques will be presented through a series of simple projects and exercises designed to advance your understanding of metal clay and help bring your personal concept into a material form.

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