Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first virtual event! It was thrilling to meet so many people, especially those who tuned in from beyond Toronto!

The learning continues in September with more classes – several of them brand new! Diane Whiting joins us virtually from California for two exciting classes that are full of sparkle and style. Gillian Clarke is sharing her expertise with beaded Kumihimo as well as some new chainmaille designs. Jenn Jevons will teach you all about Art Clay Silver – a terrifically versatile medium that ‘magically’ turns into fine silver! Liz Kennedy has a brand new project that involves weaving – yes, weaving – strips of metal. Pamela Kearns will share how to do the basics of jewellery-making – perfect for newbies and anyone who wants a refresher!

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Here are the classes and open sessions scheduled September 21 – 30

Tuesday, September 22

NEW Virtual Class: Mulberry Clusters Kumihimo Necklace (2 sessions)
Instructor: Gillian Clarke
6:00 – 8:00pm
Discover how to combine beads and Kumihimo (Japanese braiding) to create this ‘berry’ adorned necklace! Class continues Tuesday, September 29; 6:00 – 7:00pm

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Wednesday, September 23

FREE Virtual Bead Tea
Facilitator: Pamela Kearns
1:30 – 3:30pm
Join the lively conversation and meet some new friends as you work on your projects!

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Thursday, September 24

In-Studio Class: Intro to Art Clay Silver
Instructor: Jenn Jevons
12:00 – 6:00pm
Mold it, texture it, form it and fire it in a kiln. Voila – you have a one-of-a-kind fine silver piece of jewellery!

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NEW Virtual Class: Japanese Rosettes Necklace
Instructor: Gillian Clarke
6:00 – 8:00pm
Create this is a classic and elegant necklace that drapes beautifully and won’t take forever to finish!

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Saturday, September 26

NEW Virtual Class: Double Diamond Deluxe
Instructor: Diane Whiting
9:00am – 1:00pm
This is a long lariat, with multiple styling possibilities, features 288 Swarovski round crystals. Talk about bling with style!

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NEW In-Studio: Class: Checkerboard Pendant
Instructor: Liz Kennedy
12:00 – 3:00pm
Imagine combining weaving and metalwork – all in one statement piece!

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NEW Virtual Class: Rue Magique
Instructor: Diane Whiting
2:00 – 6:00pm
This “magical road” statement bracelet will lead you on a journey full of sparkles and possibilities!

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Monday, September 28

NEW Virtual Class: Elfweave 1 Chainmaille Bracelet
Instructor: Gillian Clarke
6:00 – 8:00pm
Create this fun and very wearable bracelet that you can dress up or dress down!

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Tuesday, September 29

Virtual Class: Jewellery Making 101 (2 sessions)
Instructor: Pamela Kearns
6:00 – 8:00pm (both dates)
Do you want to create jewellery for yourself but have no idea where to start? Do you need to brush up on a few basic skills? Join us to discover how easy it can be to create jewellery! Class continues Tuesday, October 6.

Click on the class/open session title to see complete information and on-line registration. You can see all of the month’s activities by going to the September class calendar.

BeadFX Inspiration – Anne Marie Desaulniers

We’re all this for the long run, and mask-wearing is not going away any time soon! I don’t know about you, but I’m always losing my favourite masks, so why not leash them firmly, and chain them to our necks? Dwyn calls them leashes, but I call them chains, and “never the twain shall meet!” (I think it is because she has dogs on the brain.)

As makers, it’s our responsibility to start a mask-jewelry movement! Perhaps not as useful for the occasional user (grocery store, drug store, etc.), but for those of us on the go, it’s a definite necessity. Especially when you work in a busy office, and have a habit of taking the mask on, and off, when customers are not in the store. It’s just so useful, that I’m surprised that more people aren’t wearing them!

I designed two simple chains for this Inspiration. One, practically makes itself, and the other is also pretty simple to make. Both are easy to wear! (And then I added another – a simple beaded number!)

Gemstone Chain Mask Leash:

This is so easy, that I’m surprised that our gemstone chain isn’t flying out the door! Here are the details:

Supplies: – these are for the one I made, but you can choose other colours

2 feet – Gemstone 3 mm Faceted Rondelle Chain – Pink Tourmaline/Goldplated (034707/s34707) – also known as pre-beaded chain, or Rosary chain

1 pkg – 6 mm Split Rings – Goldtone (001446/24410604) – you will use two of them

2 – 15 mm Lobster Claw – Hamilton Gold (21360/23440010)

Links to Pages for Supplies

Instructions:

1. Attach one split ring, to one end of the gemstone chain (or you could also use a thin gauge of jump ring)
2. Attach the second split ring, to the other end of the gemstone chain
3. Attach the first split ring, to one of the 15 mm lobster claws
4. Attach the second split ring, to the other lobster claw
5. Attach a lobster claw, to each side of the ear pieces on your mask
6. Your Gemstone Chain Mask Leash is complete, and your mask is secure!

Helpful tool:

Your fingers, are really the only tool that you need. However, if you want to protect your manicure, I highly recommend our Split Ring Pliers (23234/s23234)

Hint: When mask wearing is a thing of the past (I wish), it will be easy to convert your mask leash, to a single-strand necklace. Simply remove one of the lobster claws, and all of a sudden, it’s a 24” necklace. Nothing will be wasted!

Alternately – grab some of your leftover beads and string them. 22 to 24 inches (55-60cm) seems to be a good length. Add a pair of lobster clasps – using your favourite method, and voila! Adding a cute, bigger bead or charm about a hand-span from the clasp means that when you wear the mask, those bigger beads will be more noticeable and decorative, adding a nice little touch to the overall effect.

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Triple Chain Mask Leash:

This is a statement piece of jewelry! Three simple chains hang around your neck, joined in the front, by a Spring Ring Clasp, then accented with a botanical charm. I chose to leave this one fairly simple, and if I do say so myself, it has a hint of elegance! I love this one! It transcends it’s utility and is beautiful in it’s own regard.

Supplies: Please remember that you are not limited to either the chains, charm, or metal that I’ve chosen. We have a great selection of chains, and sometimes they sell out very fast, so just ask a staff member to help you with an alternative.

1 pkg – Jump Rings Open 9 mm Nickel – 10 grams (021801/22801011-07)

1 pkg – Split Rings – 7mm Bright Silvertone (10) (009908/24410607)

1 pkg – Jump Rings Open 7 mm – Nickel – 10 grams (22801011-03)

1 pkg – Spring Ring Clasp Simple Circle 25mm – Bright Rhodium (2) (053656/s053656)

2.5 ft – Chain – Oval Rolo Chain – Antiqued Silver (foot) (58268/s58268)

2.5 ft – Chain – 4x3mm Classic Cable – Antiqued Silver (foot) (62364/s62364)

2.5 ft – Chain – Oval Cable Chain – Antiqued Silver (foot) (62387/s62387)

1 – short piece of chain (number unknown – it was just something from my stash). Probably around 2” in length (adjust to taste), but fairly plain.

1 – Charm – North Cascades – Antiqued Silver (53598/s53598)

Instructions:

1. Attach one end of chain one to split ring
2. Attach one end of chain two, to the same split ring
3. Attach one end of chain three, to the same split ring.
4. Repeat Steps 1-3, with the other end of the chains, in the same sequence
5. Open the Spring Ring Clasp, then thread on the first split ring, with chain attached
6. Repeat with the second split ring, with chain attached
7. Make sure that your chains are straight, and match, with no twisting
8. Open 7 mm jump ring, then attach to Charm
9. Thread open end of jump ring, to short piece of chain
10. Close jump ring
11. Open two more jump rings
12. Add one to the other end of the short piece of chain
13. Close jump ring
14. Add the second to the closed jumpring added in Step 12
15. Open the Spring Ring Clasp, then add a 9 mm jump ring (no need to open this one, as it will slide right on)
16. Attach the jump ring added in step 14, to the 9 mm jump ring
17. Close jump ring
18. Your Triple Chain Mask Leash is complete!
19. Open the Spring Ring Clasp, and insert one end of mask ear piece. When you’re ready to put the mask on, it’s simple to just re-open the Spring Ring Clasp, and remove your mask.

Note: The chain could be made longer, or shorter, depending on your preference. However, I like to just pull it over my head, so 2.5 feet worked out best for me.

Tools Used:

2 – Chain Nose Pliers (multiple options) – Note: you could also use Bent Nose Pliers

1 – Split Ring Plier (23234/s23234)

I chose to just add one charm, but you are definitely not restricted, by either the number, or type of charms that you add. Pick a theme, and go crazy!!

This is just the beginning of my mask chain making venture, so watch this space for more options in the near future.

Keep safe, social distance, wear a mask, and wash your hands!

Supplies pages

• Findings / Clasps
• Findings / Jump Rings
• Stringing / Chain / Chain by the length
• Beads / Charms & Metal Pendants