May Newsletter 2023

OK, I know this is late.  Ok, really late, but I wanted to tie up some details of upcoming events and that took a little time.   Sorry.  But I think you'll be pleased with some new things......

Well!  The BIG ANNIVERSARY EVENT is just around the corner and there will be SALES and Rafflles the whole week of June 6-10, 2023!  The event of the century!!  Ok, I'm being a little dramatic, but we'll try to have some fun things going on and lots of things on sale!

Other exciting news is the addition of another nationally known teacher - Kaska Firor!!  She has written 2 books and does beautiful wire weaving! More information about Kaska below! So we have Dale Armstrong teaching on a regular basis (we are so lucky to have her living nearby and willing to come and teach!!), Kassie Shaw and Elizabeth Edwards (both are published and have taught nationally) and I'm going to try to bring in other well known teachers for special classes.  Remember to sign up early for special teachers since they will cancel their travel plans unless we have enough students signed up (generally 6 or needed at a minimum for a class).  Lots of great classes coming up!         Here you go with a fun link (if needed) - CLASSES  Or read on below!!!    

We do occasionally have some classes planned during the week, so please pay attention to the date and day when you sign up.  


On to the CLASSES!!!

May 13th at 10AM - Lori teaching Necklace (or bracelet) and Earring Set!    Lori generally lets her class decide what they want to learn from the several that come to class.  So the class has decided that they want to make a necklace and earring set!   Lori welcomes new students all the time, and she's happy to help you design and create your masterpiece!    Cost is still $25 per person. You can pick a kit that we've prepared or you can pick your own beads (up to cost of $25 and if more, you just pay the difference).  Link to this class is HERE!

May 13th at 1PM - Susan teaching Viking Knit!  

Come learn this easy wire weave that makes a stunning array of jewelry possibilities! Materials needed include 24g wire (soft) and your fingers. This class is going to teach a technique and discussion will be held on making bracelets or necklaces with your knit. You may or may not finish a project in class.  Supplies included in a kit are a spool of 24g wire (color of choice) and a dowel to knit around. I will have draw plates to use in the shop.  Cost of this class is $45.  Zoom class will be available, but you're about out of time for us to send the kit to you......Link to this class is HERE!

May 20th, 2023 at 10AM - Dale Cougar Armstrong teaches Strings of Bubbles Bracelet!!  A great exercise for learning how to implement 6-step Looping pliers, students will create and connect a strand of wire bubbles and learn how to connect them into a bracelet shape. We will also incorporate a clasp and fill random bubbles with beads of their choice. The techniques taught can be used for many other projects that will be shown with samples. Your instructor will provide complete tool kits for use while in class and you will receive written follow-up hand-outs to take home. Students Please Bring: notebook, pen/pencil, digital or cell phone camera (no flash please), magnifying eyewear if needed, and a bottled beverage & snack.  Cost of this class is $75 and includes all supplies to make your bracelet!  Link to this class is HERE!

May 27th, 2023 at 10am to 5pm - Memorial Day Weekend Beading at the Big Table!!     Bring in your projects that you are working on and bead with us!! Learn something new and fun! Don't have a current project? We can help with that!! No cost to come and bead. We have beads/kits and supplies for sale if needed.





June 3rd at 10am - Tracy teaching Beginning Metal Stamping!    Come and learn how to stamp on metal forms and make a bracelet and or a pendant.  This type of jewelry has been around for several years, but with all the cute design stamps, you can have a ball!  You will complete a bracelet in class and maybe a pair of earrings too if there is time.  Cost of this class is $45 and includes supplies to make both bracelet and earrings.  Link to this class is HERE!!
 

 

June 3rd at 2pm, Pam teaching Beginning Beading!!  Want to design your own jewelry? Restring or learn how to fix something that’s broken? Make a bracelet that is small/large enough to FIT you?  Come take this class and free your imagination for designing original pieces of jewelry.  A kit is provided which makes a necklace (or bracelet) and a pair of earrings. Cost of this class is $40 and is a beginning beading class. Link to this class is HERE!

June 6-10, 2023 - 3rd Anniversary Birthday Event!!  We'll have sales and ability to enter raffles throughout the week, and on Saturday we'll have try out kumihimo, loom weaving stations as well as Make and Takes with Amy Luviano and Tracy Beamon.  We'll have a spin the wheel at the check out for special discounts!  My birthday is the same week, so we'll have a birthday cake on Saturday.  First come, first serve in regards to the cake....   All the raffles will be drawn on Saturday at the end of the business day and you need not be present to win- you'll have about 3 weeks to pick up your prize.  If you live far out of town, I can ship, but you'll have to pay for postage (sorry!  postage has really gotten expensive).

Back to classes.....


June 17th, 2023 at 10am - Susan Parry Teaching Intermediate Fusing!    In this class, students with prior experience with glass fusing (previous class with Susan) will learn how to make a a dichroic pendant and earring set.   This class will build on your previously learned glass skills!!  This class costs $75. Glass and use of tools will be provided with class fee. Link to this class is HERE!



June 17th at 1pm Susan and Dichroic Play Day!!  In this class you can make 4 Dichroic pieces (or more for additional fee) for pendants/earrings, etch.  This class requires you to be comfortable with fusing glass (and prior class with Susan).  You must have taken a prior class with Susan to attend this class.  Cost of this play date is $75 and includes the supplies to make 4 dichroic pieces.  Link to this class is HERE!




June 17th at 1pm - Lori teaching Lariat Necklace!!!  Come learn how to make this beautiful necklace with Lori!  This is a beginner beading class. You will learn how to use beading chain, silicone slider bead and simple wire wrapping. Supplies are included to make your necklace (though the turquoise option will be a bit extra. Cost of this class is $25 and includes supplies.  Link to this class is HERE!!





June 24th at 10a Elizabeth Edwards teaching Rapsody Necklace!! Come and make this lovely necklace with Elizabeth! This is an intermediate class, so you will need some experience beading. Cost is $35 and kits will be required/available for purchase from Elizabeth at class time (price to be announced). As always, Elizabeth provides professional instructions that are easy to understand and follow as well as person instruction in class.  This class has been taught nationally, so don’t miss it!!  Link to this class is HERE!!




June 24th at 1pm - Elizabeth Edwards teaching Gala Earrings!!   Make these beautiful earrings with Elizabeth! This is an intermediate class, so you will need some experience beading. Cost of this class is $35 and kits will be available for purchase from Elizabeth at class time ($25 or $30 depending on options).  You will need to purchase a kit for class.  As always, Elizabeth provides professional instructions that are easy to understand and follow as well as person instruction in class.  Link to this class is HERE!!




July 14th at 1P - Kaska Firor teaching Simple Necklace!    This class introduces one of the most popular weaves used by many wire artists today. You will learn the most basic version of the weave while creating this elegant necklace. You will need to purchase a kit for this class that includes all wire needed, some chain and top drilled teardrop stone.  Copper kit - $37. Fine Silver $53. Please bring cash for check for kit payment to Kaska. Please bring to class: 1. Wire cutters (shop tools available if you need them). 2. Chain nose pliers 3. Flat nose pliers 4. Wire straightener plier 5. Ruler 6. Permanent marker (fine or medium tip) 7. Recommended: magnificationif needed. (task lamp and work mat provided for use by Bead-Therapy).  Link to this class is HERE!!

 

July 15th at 10am - Kaska Firor teaching Intro into Wirework and Teardrop Pendant!!    This workshop is an introduction to the basics of wire weaving.  In the morning, students will explore the two main weaves and make several samples to take home.  Some of the samples students make can be used to make earrings or necklaces. The instructor will provide examples for students to take photos of.  In the afternoon, students will put their newly acquired skills to the test by creating the Teardrop Pendant.  In addition to the class demos, all instructions will be provided in written and illustrated handouts. Cost of this class is $120 and requires purchase of a kit - all copper $43 or copper/fine silver $53.  Please bring cash for check for kit payment to Kaska. Please bring to class: 1. Wire cutters (shop tools available if you need them). 2. Chain nose pliers 3. Flat nose pliers 4. Wire straightener plier 5. Ruler 6. Permanent marker (fine or medium tip) 7. Recommended: magnificationif needed. (task lamp and work mat provided for use by Bead-Therapy).  Link to this class is HERE!!

 

July 16th at 10am - Kaska Firor teaching Freeform Bracelet!!    - Take your weaving skills up a notch as you work to create this unique cuff. Students will learn how to merge different weaving techniques to create exciting new patterns. The class will focus on improving weaving skills and learning more advanced techniques including blended weave and weaving with beads. In addition to the class demos, all instructions will be provided in written and illustrated handouts. This is an intermediate wire weaving class and requires a prior class with Kaska or prior wire weaving experience.  Kit purchase required for class.  Copper $38/Fine Silver $68.  Bring cash or check for Kaska.  She can take credit cards, but there will be a 2% service fee. Please bring to class: 1. Wire cutters (shop tools available if you need them). 2. Chain nose pliers 3. Flat nose pliers 4. Wire straightener plier 5. Ruler 6. Permanent marker (fine or medium tip) 7. Recommended: magnificationif needed. (task lamp and work mat provided for use by Bead-Therapy).  Link to this class is HERE!!

I am so excited to have Kaska join our teacher line up!!  Here's some more info on Kaska as promised- 

Kaska Firor is a jewelry artist, author and an educator.  She has been working with wire for over 20 years and isa recipient of many awards for her intricately woven jewelry. Among others, she is a two-time first place winner in the wire category in Bead Dreams Competition at the Bead and Button Show.

Kaska is the author and co-author of two books, Freeform Wire Woven Jewelry and Wire & Fire.  Her work has also been published in several other books and trade magazines such as Art Jewelry, Step-By-Step Wire, Bead Style, Lapidary Journal and SNAG’s Jewelry and Metalsmithing Survey.

Kaska teaches at national conventions, as well as jewelry schools and studios throughout the United States. 

See Kaska’s work at: www.designsbykaska.com and www.facebook.com/designsbykaska

Please remember that we offer many classes on demand.  If the teacher is local, most are willing to teach classes at a convenient time for you and the teacher.  I’m getting these on the website, but please have patience!!!   

And generally, I sometimes (ok, all the time) don't really proof this newsletter prior to sending it out.  Most of the time because I'm sending it out at the last minute and in sort of a hurry.  Please excuse the poor grammer and misspelled words.  That's not my strong suit!  

And please remember to shop small.  I know there are a lot of other places that you can shop at to purchase your beads.  I'd like to think that we offer valuable knowledge and skills to enhance your jewelry (or beaded whatever) making.  The big boxes continue to get bigger and I'm hearing of more and more of my fellow bead shop owners having to close down because they can't compete.  I can't compete either, but would like to think that I offer more choices and services that make you want to come back for more.  Thanks for your support and I hope that I can stay here for you for many more years to come!

Susan
Bead-Therapy
112 Lee Parkway Drive
Chattanooga, TN. 37421
423-509-1907