The Beadful Life @ BeadFX: It's March..Let's Celebrate!

The weather outside is gorgeous! It is hard to imagine a reason to be in doors, except that you would be missing out on our great classes.

Kate McKinnon's classes have gone up on the site finally! She is offering 3 one day classes this year, two metal clay and one seed beading class.

Sunday May 16th is Metal Clay for Lampworkers.

In this excellent one-day class, Kate will show you not only how to make a variety of components to showcase your handmade glass, but will give you some exciting tips, tricks, and thoughts about using fine silver with your hot glass at the torch.

Projects will include a variety of settings for handmade glass, including beads and cabs. Students will make rings, links, handmade headpins, nifty pendant bails, an assortment of beadcaps and bits and parts, and if they wish, a Treasure Box to showcase a special bead. Class is open to all levels.

Monday May 17th is Fine Silver Clasps and Findings: A Class in Metal clay and Fine Silver Wire.

Don't miss this great class and learn how to make you own components for your finished work. Projects include a variety of clasps, components, links and decorative items like beadcaps, headpins and charms. This class is open to all levels, but students should have experience with metal clay.

Tuesday May 18th is Exploration Mixed Stitches: Right Angle Weave and Square Stitch.

In our one-day class, students will learn a variety of ways to combine Square Stitch and Right Angle Weave, and will receive full-colour photographic instructions for both the Corset Stitch and the Mod Art Cuff. In class, we will focus on completing one end of the piece, which would include the tube that holds the clasp, and a nice swath of each layer of the bracelet, to make sure that the whole piece is well understood.

Projects students can choose for their kit:

Groovy Cuff, in one layer or two (also known as the Mod Art Cuff, as published in Beadwork). The Corset Stitch, in one layer or two, or a piece that uses one layer of each stitch.

Please note: Students who choose to make a one-layer piece can probably finish in the class, those who choose a two-layer will probably not finish.

Kate will include many tips and tricks for finishing beadwork, maintaining even tension, changing thread, and embellishing the final beaded fabric. Don't miss this exciting session with one of the most innovative bead artists around.

This class is meant for students of all levels, but those attending should be comfortable using (and threading) a size 12 needle with fine beading thread. The basics of right angle weave and square stitch are recommended.

We have a class in square stitch coming up this April with Rae Huggins, Squarely in Time for Spring on Thursday April 15th from 6 to 9pm. This is a beginner class.

Looking for a class a little sooner? No problem we have lots coming up in the next couple of weeks.

Tuesday March 9th is Lampworking 101-Part 1 with Dwyn Tomlinson. This is a 4 week introduction course running from 7 to 9:30 each week.

Saturday March 13th is the Double Strand Dangle Bracelet with Nadine Foskin from 10 to 12pm.

Sunday March 14th is the Silver Beaded Wire Wrapped Bracelet and Earrings with Robert Burton from 1 to 4pm.

Although Stephanie Dixon's Wire Bead Crochet class on March 20th is full, there is another class schedule for Saturday May 8th from 10 to 1pm.

Monday March 22nd Robert Burton's 3 week Wire Working and Wrapping 101 begins. It runs from 6 to 9pm each night.

Wednesday March 24th Suzanne Crudden's new class Metal Working for Beaders: Creating Your Own Production Line begins. This is an eight week class intended for students who have taken the Metal Working for Beaders or the Metal Smithing 101 class or have previous metal smithing experience.

March 27th and 28th is a Learn to Make Glass Beads Weekend with Amy Waldman-Smith.

Nadine Foskin is here with another new class Dangle Drop Earrings. This class is perfect for those beginner students looking to learn to make loops and earrings. It runs from 10:30 to 12pm.