There's a Class for that!

Classes are Blooming at BeadFX

Spring has arrived and our classes are in full bloom! Our mid-April classes are full of creativity and colour. Jean Power is ready to go with her Mostra Box class. Don’t worry, if you didn’t get into the class this time, watch for more classes later this year. Pamela Kearns and Gillian Clarke have lots of beading and chainmaille for you too. Our April remain virtual, however, we are looking ahead to May class for some in-studio options. Check out the May calendar for more details. Here are the classes and open sessions beginning April 10:

There's a Class for that!

A New Face for Classes

This past year has been full of unexpected changes. Changes, however, can lead to opportunities. I would like to introduce Amanda Pittman and Dwyn Tomlinson who will be taking over the responsibilities for coordinating classes and events for BeadFX, effective April 1, 2021. I assure you that classes and students will be in excellent hands! Amanda has been with BeadFX for quite some time now. She has been avid student and has become aware of what is needed to create successful classes. Dwyn is BeadFX’s webmistress (among many other duties) and will involved in the promotion of classes and providing …

There's a Class for that!

Creativity ‘Reigns’ in April

Forget the umbrella – soak up the Spring and dance in the rain! A new season has officially arrived and with it new opportunities and class to unleash your creativity! The weather is so much more inviting and we can get out (socially responsibly, of course!) and view nature as it gets ready to bloom. BeadFX’s April classes will remain virtual for April making it easy to join the fun and still stay safe. Jean Power joins us for two sold-out classes. Don’t worry, if you didn’t get into one of Jean’s classes, she will be returning later this year …

There's a Class for that!

March is the Month of Expectation

We may have snow on the ground, but you can smell spring in the wind. Crocuses and snowdrops are popping up and we know that a new season is just a round the corner. Spring also ushers in a new palette of pastels and bright colours with a fresh air feel. It is a time of renewal in nature and in ourselves. Carry your inspiration into our March classes! Betty Stephan, Gillian Clarke and Pamela Kearns are eager to share their expertise and projects with you! Not sure about virtual classes? Then join us for a Virtual Bead Tea to …

There's a Class for that!, Tips & Techniques

Spring Cleaning Your Stash

It’s not the size the size of the stash that counts – it’s whether or not you can find something in it! As many of you know, I’m a beader. I also teach beading, knit, and weave, and will try anything else that stirs my imagination. I have the stash to prove it. I also live in a one bedroom apartment that isn’t very big and has no built-in storage options. Recently I needed to find something that I knew I had, but I couldn’t locate it. In my frustration I tossed aside everything I had planned to do and …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Project of the Week: Spring Leaves

 

Last week we celebrated the start the coming Spring by creating a Sun Pendant. This week we celebrate the leaves and budding flowers with a fun and colourful pair of earrings! These earrings feature the new Monstera Leaf charms. Normally these charms are antique silver but we are adding colour using nail polish, giving them an enameled look. A short length of fine curb chain dangles with lots of spring colour using 4mm beads. I used some leftover Swarovski crystals in colours from my stash but 4mm fire-polish beads, pearls or druks would be just as fun. Let’s get started! …

There's a Class for that!

Learning has nothing to do with Luck

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Patience. Perseverance. Practise. While St. Patrick’s Day is coming up soon, a leprechaun’s luck isn’t going to help us learn new skills (although his pot of gold would pay for a lot of classes). We all learn and process information in different ways. For myself, I learn best by seeing a technique done, and then trying it myself. I need visual reference, whether it be illustrations, viewing a video or seeing the instructor’s hands as s/he demonstrates it. Others require written explanations that go with the illustrations with step-by-step guidelines to do a new technique. Still others need to hear …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Sun Pendant

 

Spring is coming so let’s celebrate by bringing the Sun into our wardrobe! This week’s project features brick stitch using the 42mm Wire Hoop and cube beads in two sizes: Miyuki 4mm cubes and 1.8mm cube. The finished pendant measures 2 3/4″ across; you can make it smaller by using a smaller hoop and/or smaller beads. With this technique, you will see the thread; choose a thread colour that blends with the hoop colour if you don’t want it to stand out too much. Pull a wingspan of thread and thread your needle. Tie the thread with a double knot …

There's a Class for that!

March into Spring classes

 

The first day of Spring isn’t quite here yet (circle March 20 on your calendar!), but the sense of expectation is ramping up toward a new season. We’re also ramping up to a new season of creativity with new classes – including three exciting classes with Betty Stephan! BeadFX’s March classes feature lots of beading, chainmaille and bead embroidery! Our virtual classes mean that you don’t need to live near BeadFX to enjoy taking our classes. Virtual classes are your opportunity to join the wider jewellery-making world. We have enjoyed having students join us from across Canada and the United …

Inspiration Projects, Project of the Week

Project of the Week: Wire and Stone Bracelet

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I love stones and easy-to-wear bracelets. While I’m not a wire worker, I do like to make simple projects. This is one of those projects! The bracelet is done using one piece of wire. I find 22 gauge ParaWire works very well; it is pliable enough to easily wrap yet has enough hardness to maintain a shape. I’ve used 10mm round stone beads, but you can also use the same size pearls, druks, fire-polish or regular glass beads. Make it longer, for a collar-length necklace. Let’s get started! This project takes a surprising amount of wire. I have a 6.25″ …