Carol Cypher is coming to BeadFX!

Seed beading and felting enthusiasts - mark your calendars now! We are thrilled to have renowned beading and felting artist Carol Cypher come to BeadFX this April for three classes. 

Carol Cypher, a professional fiber artist focusing on feltmaking and beadwork, is known for her provocative pairing of the two mediums. Cypher teaches workshops throughout the U.S.A., Australia, Germany, the U.K. and Japan, and her work is exhibited and widely published in these places.

Her first book, HAND FELTED JEWELRY AND BEADS: 25 ARTFUL DESIGNS enjoyed a couple printings and is now declared "out of print". Her book MASTERING BEADWORK: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO OFF-LOOM TECHNIQUES is a compilation of 63 original projects that provide a full and rounded repertoire of beading stitches. In HOW WE FELT: DESIGNS AND TECHNIQUES FROM CONTEMPORARY FELT ARTISTS, Cypher shares tips and technique of 20 felt artists, herself included. When asked to write a book on feltmaking for the Japanese publisher Patchwork Tsushin Co., her English manuscript was translated into Japanese by Motoko Natsubori and published October 2008. She has shared her techniques on PBS, DIY and HGTV television networks in addition to workshops and classes worldwide.

 
Friday, April 25

9:00am - 8:00pm

Dragon Cuff Bracelet and Reflections of Shatki Necklace (2 projects)

This extended class features two projects that go well together! Intermediate class

Dragon Cuff Bracelet: You'll never want to take this comfortable and clingy bracelet off! The new beads called rizo beads work beautifully to enhance this wonderfully wavy bracelet made of the new peanut beads. After whipping up the base add flair and "make waves" using a special thread that is both sturdy and slightly springy. This project slides over your hand and conforms to your wrist. It has fit perfectly, every single beader who has made one!

Reflections of Shakti Necklace: Whip up this wonderfully wavy necklace that curves and bends to your whim. Center a unique and REVERSIBLE focal element, whose core is mirrors rather than the usual cabochon. Dangle from this bezel a dramatic ring of daggers. (Make 2 more of the dagger rings to wear as matching earrings.) Carol will provide a Tulip cellulose head pins and a pair of mirrors for the pendant.




  


Saturday, April 26
10:00am - 5:00pm
A Bevy of Bezels all Day

 Create beautiful beaded bezels in an array of sizes and shapes that are lovely from every angle. This method, focusing primarily on an African Polygon stitch, produces highly textured and corrugated beadwork. Each tiny beaded basket securely holds its rivoli or faceted stone. You'll be amazed at how joyfully and quickly they work up. Unlike usual bezel styles worn flat and viewed straight-on, these bezels beg to be worn in ways that display all 360 degrees of their elegance. Advanced class

  

Sunday, April 27
10:00am - 5:00pm
Hand Felted Complex Cane Beads Necklace 

Invest a day in creatively magical felt making and leave with a finished, though damp, felt bead necklace! Borrowing the concept from glass, clay and culinary artists, build a collection of canes of fine merino wool using a skewer. Bundle the canes, individually and in groups, depending on your design. Borrow or purchase a Turbo Felting Board to accelerate the intensive felting and fulling of the "complex cane" into firm and solid felt. Experience the thrill of slicing the felt to reveal your unique complex cane felt beads . Compose a stunning necklace using your fresh new beads with glass/gemstone/metal beads or chain. All levels including Beginner

Class fees:
$170.00 per day of classes
Take two or more days of classes: $315.00 (save $25)
Take all three days of classes: $450.00 (save $60) 

See our website for the complete descriptions of each class, including what is needed to bring with you. A kit fee is required for the felting class.

Still time to catch April classes

Wow, can you believe how fast time is flying; before you know it, another month will roll by! Not to worry - there is still lots of time to take some April classes. For complete information, including class and kit fees, please consult the on-line calendar at http://www.beadfx.com/classes.php and click on "April".

Soutache Lesson #1: The Basic Module
Thursday, April 18
6:00 - 9:00pm
Instructor: Angela Peace
This class will introduce students to Soutache Bead Embroidery and how to stitch the Basic Module.  Students will learn how to handle the soutache braid, manage tension, place stitches correctly, define the curve, add beads and how to finish a piece.  These techniques will be used to make a pair of earrings with design options.

Create a Felted Brooch
Saturday, April 20
9:30am - 1:30pm
Instructor: Dawn Liu-Smyth
Students will use merino wool roving to design and wet-felt a layered flower brooch.  Students will be encouraged to explore colour and texture as they work with the wool fibres.  Some basic needle felting and bead stitching will also be covered so that students may embellish their brooch. Student will leave with a completely felted brooch and will begin to embellish the centre of their flower with beads.

Jewellery Making 101
Sunday, April 21
11:30am - 2:30pm
Instructor: Pamela Kearns
Do you want to create jewellery for yourself but have no idea where to start? Join us for this 'newbie' course and discover just how easy creating jewellery can be. Participants will be able to create up to three of pairs of earrings and a bracelet. You'll learn how to use headpins, open and close jump rings, create wrapped and simple loops, and discover out how to use crimps. Prepared projects are not used - you will create your own designs using your own assortment of beads brought to class; time will be available during the class to select beads. Silver-plated findings are included as part of the kit fee.

Metal Clay Play Day
Sunday, April 21
11:00am - 4:00pm
Facilitator: Jennifer Tough
Would you like to work on your metal clay projects in a fun, social and supportive environment? Join us during our periodic play days. We will provide access to basic tools and texture plates, but you are required to either bring or purchase your own Art Clay and supplies. You may also peruse our extensive library of videos and books during the day.  Kiln time will also be available for a nominal fee. A facilitator is on-hand to help with tips and answer questions. Note: This is not a class, and is intended only for those that already have some experience with metal clay.

Key to My Heart Peyote Necklace and Bracelet
Thursday, April 25
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Instructor: Pamela Kearns
Peyote is one of those basic stitches that, when learned, it opens doors to lots of ideas! Learn how to do flat even-weave peyote and learn how to read patterns to create beaded beads. Wire-wrap the beaded beads and combine with wire shapes and charms to create a necklace or bracelet (or both!). As the peyote stitch takes time to learn and do, students will be able to start the project during class time but complete it at home.
 

Twinkling Twins Bracelet
Friday, April 26
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Instructor: Stephanie Dixon
Have you been lusting after the beautiful colours of Twin and Superduo beads, but not sure how to use them? In this class you will create an embellished right angle weave bracelet using seed beads, two holed beads and Swarovski bicones.

Soutache Lesson #2: The Harp Module
Saturday, April 27
9:30am - 12:30pm
Instructor: Angela Peace
This class teaches The Harp Shape Module and will expand on the skills learning the Basic Module class. Techniques to be covered include how to handle the soutache braid, manage tension, place stitches correctly, maintain the curve, and add multiple beads. These techniques will be used to make a pair of Harp Shape earrings with design options.

Hot Connections Bangles
Saturday, April 27
10:00am - 4:00pm
Instructor: Iris Rogers Melamed

In this class you will learn how to successfully create 3 sterling silver bangles from different types of sterling silver wire. We will start by twisting round wire. Next we will measure and form the twisted wire, half-round wire and round wire into "D shapes", making sure that the joins fit perfectly. We will solder our shapes closed and then form the bangles on a bracelet mandrel. Finally we will texture, finish and polish the bracelets.

Intro to Bead Embroidery

Sunday, April 28

11:30am - 2:30pm

Instructor: Stephanie Dixon

Learn the basics of bead embroidery including how to bezel a cabochon, even count peyote, beaded backstitch and how to professionally finish the edges.  Choosing cabochons and basic color theory will be discussed. A small pendant is the beginning project which will not be completed in class.

Also, join BeadFX at the 

15th Annual Knitter's Frolic

Saturday, April 27 - Sunday, April 28, 2013 Frolic Marketplace: Saturday only, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission $5.00 at the door. Frolic Workshops: Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre; 6 Garamond Court, Toronto (near Wynford Drive and Don Mills Rd.)