Class updates - difficulty ratings, kids classes, updates for August

As you may, or may not know by now, we are taking July off from classes and completely rebuilding our classes.  Here are some things that we're up to:

Classes are getting new difficulty ratings!  

Beginner – these classes are perfect for those with little to no subject experience. These classes are tons of awesome and are entry level or just for fun classes.
Novice – you should know a bit about the subject and have a smidge of experience to take these classes. If you're really set on a particular class, you can probably tough it out, but just be aware that it's going to require some extra patience.
Intermediate – Are you ready to take your skills to the next level? These classes are great for those with experience and some prerequisite skills.
Legendary – you've got it going on and you're looking to grow your super skills. Classes in this level are difficult and do have prerequisite skills that you must know before you take them, check out the class description to check those pre-reqs out.

Kid's classes.  We're adding more.  And they're awesome.

London Fabric Necklace
You too can make this fabulous fabric bead necklace!  We'll show you how to make the beads and then string them on ribbon, it ties in the back so it's the perfect length every time. This class is a Beginner level class, age 8+.




 

Story charms
Have something to say?  Say it all with these chatty clay charms.  These are perfect for best friend necklaces, letter charms, inspirational words... so many cool options.  In this class we'll make plenty of these clay charms; we'll cook 'em, paint 'em and string 'em on some stretchy bracelets.  This class is a Beginner level class, age 8+.






Some classes are getting a makeover.  

The Wire Wrapped Stone Bracelet will be split into two classes, one is a Beginner level class and the second is a Novice class.
  
Wire Wrapping Workshop: Beginner

Wire wrapping and creating coils is an essential jewelry making technique.  We'll work with gauged wire and the three basic jewelry making tools. You'll learn how to create beaded links that will never open; a must for anyone making lots of jewelry or for those that want to expand their skills. You will also master how to attach your new links to chain and decorative components. 





Wire Wrapping Coils and Caps: Novice

This class is a great way to work on your wire manipulation skills. You will learn how to make loops and beaded wraps to create these whimsical wire links. This project may look crazy hard at first glance, but we will simplify each step and you'll leave with a beautiful bracelet. 








The Earring Party class is being renamed to Earring Elements.  This class will be a two hour class featuring basic and classic earring styles.  We will make cluster earrings, wrapped briolettes, and chandelier earrings.  You will work with headpins, eye pins, charms and chains.  This class is a Beginner level class, age 15+.

In addition to the Earring Basics class we will be offering an Earring Club class.  This class will be an hour long earring project (making one or two pairs, depending on the difficulty level) that will be specific to new/different earrings each month.  This class is a Novice level class, age 15+.




Tying the Knot: Pearl Knotting
The Knotty Knots Pearl knotting bracelet class is turning into a ribbon tie necklace class called Tying the Knot.  We'll be using larger beads than we had been in the bracelet class and we'll finish the piece in ribbon so you can wear your beads as a necklace.  Have no fear, the knotting technique is the same, we'll still use clamshells, but this time, instead of a clasp, you'll add ribbon.

 





Don't see a class you wanted to take?  Maybe the Branching Out Wire Tree class or the Foundations intro class?  If you don't see it listed here, it doesn't mean that we're not going to be offering it, it just means that we're not changing anything about it! 

Creative phases

I am currently going through an earring making phase. Do you end up in jewelry making, creative phases? What are you really enjoying making right now?

Sarah just brought these super awesome earrings in!

once upon a time, there was a locked bathroom...

If you've been to our classes, or have ever asked for our bathroom key, you know how serious we are about making sure that we get that silly key back.  

In the last 3 or so days, we've found TWO keys left in the bathroom here.  We're holding them for ransom.

I'm personally hoping that these keys are from Fat Jacks... free sandwiches for life!  :)

Update:  One of them was Fat Jack's key.  I got a delicious cookie!  Mmmmm.

 

 

weekly wrap up, Sunday, June 16th

As some of you know, we're making some changes to our classes and how we schedule them this summer.  We're actually taking the month of July off from classes, taking a little break - did you know that we've taught about 20 classes a month for the last two  years?  Crazy!  You only have a few weeks to get your fill until August!

I love the Twisted Treasures pendants from the May class!  Take a look at the pictures from class on Facebook.   

The Byzantine chainmaille class on Tuesday was amazing!  Everyone did such an awesome job.  Whew!  It was the first time that we've taught that class here, and thankfully, we had a class full of smarties.  Here's a picture of Chris in action!  I want to send a super thanks to Weave Got Maille for their awesome jump rings.

Classes this week with space:

Reno Leather Wrapped Bracelet

A little bit country and little bit rock and roll, these leather wrapped bracelets are beautiful, fun, and can be made to go with any outfit. We use leather, thread, and a bunch of beads to make these bracelets; we'll add a button for a clasp and yeehaw, into the sunset you go!  Monday, June 17th at 6pm

Twisted Treasures 

Linda's pendant from the May class!

 This fun and interesting wire wrapping technique is a great way to begin creating your own unique wearable wire art! Learn how to form a net that can encase an assortment of shapes including gemstones, beads, and many other miscellaneous treasures. The only limit here is your own imagination! After twisting your way to the top of your piece, you will then be given the opportunity to embellish your pendant with coils, spirals, and beaded treasures.  Thursday, June 20th at 6p


Wrapped Around Your Finger - Adjustable Wire Rings  

Use simple wire wrapping techniques to create these unique rings that you'll love to wear!  In this class you'll learn how to weave wire between two base wires to create your ring and finish it off with fun statement beads.  Since they're adjustable, they make great gifts too! Monday, June 24th at 6pm

 


Hope to see you soon... :)

image from Pinterest

PS. I just made these!  

 

Twisted Treasures Pendant class - May 2013

The Twisted Treasures wire net pendants class from May was amazing!   I really like the funky wire colors that Linda used on hers.

Check out more pictures from this class!

 This fun and interesting wire wrapping technique is a great way to begin creating your own unique wearable wire art! Learn how to form a net that can encase an assortment of shapes including gemstones, beads, and many other miscellaneous treasures. The only limit here is your own imagination! After twisting your way to the top of your piece, you will then be given the opportunity to embellish your pendant with coils, spirals, and beaded treasures. This creative project is a fabulous introduction to wire wrapping. You can register for the upcoming Twisted Treasures class here.

Weekly wrap up - Sunday, June 9th

This week has been a full week... as it seems that they all are.  Congratulations to all of you who made it through another school year...  here's to a great summer break!  

Jessica came in and shared with us that she taught her students how to make flower necklaces from used aluminum cans, a project that she learned in our Upcycled Flower necklace class, and that her students are donating the money they make from their jewelry sales to charity.  :)  This makes our hearts feel so happy.  { full story }

Our friend Megan at The Peacock Bead Shop closed her retail location on Friday.  :(  We like her.  She will have her Etsy shops open... check them out.  She was our "go to" seed bead expert, so we're totally going to miss having her in the area.  

Classes this week were amazing, and hilarious.  I'm always impressed at the beautiful bracelets that are created in the Viking Knit class.  It's probably the only class where you can screw it up a whole ton, and then by the end, it's beautiful!  We had a new friend drive down all the way from Vail to make it to this class!  Okay, not really, she came to Denver to visit a friend... and then they both came to class.  It was fun. 


All of our classes this week are full, except for the Foundations class and Bird's nest class on Saturday, June 15th.  If you were looking to get into the Caged Stone Pendant class, Byzantine bracelet class, or the Wire Wrapped bracelet class this week, please give us a call and we can get you on the wait lists  303-861-6823.  

Foundations Introduction to Beading

Made in the 6/4 class!

Learn the essentials to get started making your own beautiful beaded creations. Our wonderful instructors will show you how to work with tools and use basic beading supplies. During class, you will finish a necklace and a pair of earrings, and you'll gain the confidence to become a jewelry artist!  

Saturday, June 15th at 1pm (m+m)






 Bird's Nests

Made in April's class!

These sweet bird's nests are so adorable and fashioned completely out of wire. We'll show you how to add little beads for eggs. Learn how to finish your nest into a whimsical ring AND pendant, adding charms or flowers for an extra special touch.  

Saturday, June 15th at 4pm (m+m)


 

Reno Leather Wrapped Bracelets 

Made in April's class!

I'm adding this one as a bonus because it's next Monday... A little bit country and little bit rock and roll, these leather wrapped bracelets are beautiful, fun, and can be made to go with any outfit. We use leather, thread, and a bunch of beads to make these bracelets; we'll add a button for a clasp and yeehaw, into the sunset you go!   

Monday, June 17th at 6pm



We have some pretty big news coming up in the next few weeks, so please keep checking back!  We don't want you to miss it!   

<3anne.

Upcycled necklaces for charity...

We love teaching classes and think it's really fun when people come back into the store to show us what else they have created since taking a jewelry making class with us.  Late last week, Jessica came in and gave me an update on what she has been up to since she took our Upcycled Necklace class.  She teaches at Woodrow Wilson Academy in Westminster and taught her students how to make the upcycled flower necklaces!   

She emailed me a couple of pictures and this little note - 

"They were made to earn money for the Wright Cause Walk which is an organization our school created to help people in need at our school that are affected by cancer.  They are featured on the Tour de Fashion truck too."  The Tour De Fashion truck is giving all of the monies from the sales of the necklaces directly back to the students to donate.  

While I was at the Santa Fe Art Walk on Friday evening, I hopped onto the Tour De Fashion truck to see the super cute necklaces that Jessica's students had been creating.  How completely adorable!  I totally forgot to grab a picture, sorry!  The necklaces were really cute, it's really exciting to see the things that people learned how to do here at The Colorado Bead Company in the WILD!  You all are just so impressive, and so sweet.

Picture from here

Jessica also mentioned that her students would be selling their finished necklaces and earrings to raise money for their school trips this year as well, I'll keep you updated with where they're going to be.   This is so awesome and I was so touched and impressed with all that the students are doing that we're going to donate a bunch of supplies to them this year to support them in their efforts.  :)  

<3anne.

Weekly wrap up - Sunday, June 2nd

I love reusing and repurposing stuff into new stuff.  Our Upcycled Flower Necklace class is a perfect solution for soda cans (or beer cans).  You can also make earrings with the same technique.  :)  Check out Chris' necklace from this weekend - you'll never look at cans the same again!  (Are you friends following us on Instagram?)  We teach this class frequently for Girl Scouts... it's a perfect way for them to get their jewelry badge. 

We also had our maiden voyage of the Minneapolis bracelet class.  I had no idea how much I would LOVE teaching this class and the pieces that come from it.  I started one in class and didn't finish it, so Sarah finished it for me yesterday.  She's awesome, and the bracelet looks good, but I don't think she got bit by the "seed bead" bug... 

On the bead store front, we're very sad to say that our friend Megan at the Peacock shop is in her last week with a brick and mortar store front.  Stop over and check out her goodies before she goes exclusively online, she's off of 8th and Santa Fe, across from Fabric Bliss.  Here's a link to her sassy Etsy page, if you're looking to shop online.  

We have some classes this week with space:

Macramazing!

We have an amazing update on a retro classic, creating crazy stylish bracelet, perfect for girls and guys. Learn how (or get a refresher) to work with satin cord to make these trendy bracelets that are great for layering and rich with texture. Experiment with different colors and findings to see what suits you best. Come macrame with us!  (We have some ABBA already loaded on the iPod!)  Level: Beginner. Mon, June 3rd at 6p

Foundations

Learn the essentials to get started making your own beautiful beaded creations. Our wonderful instructors will show you how to work with tools and use basic beading supplies. During class, you will finish a necklace and a pair of earrings, and you'll gain the confidence to become a jewelry artist! Not sure what kind of necklace you want?  Any of our team will be happy to help you pick something else out.  Level: Beginner.  Tuesday, June 4th at 6pm.

Earring Party

Join the party--whether you are a new beader or an experienced earring enthusiast, you will love the Earring Party for May and June. This party will make the three pairs of earrings pictured. Learn different techniques incorporating head pins, wire, briolettes, and more. With the new format of our earring class, every session will offer a fresh collection of earrings so you can stay in fashion as the seasons change. Don’t worry about shopping—we’ve already found all of the coolest parts for you!  Level: Beginner.  Thursday, June 6th at 6pm.

We've been hard at work on classes for July and August.  We have some great things to show for it too!  A lot of our classes are getting reboots, so they'll be similar... and yet different.  :)  Don't worry, they'll still be awesome.  We also have some new classes for you - Ice resin and a class on how to make your own findings?!  Sign us up!  

This little hot thing will be on the schedule too - Hey, hey Ombre!

 Have a great week this week friends, it's supposed to be gorgeous!

- anne.

Take one! The Minneapolis bracelet!

When we decide to offer a new class, we typically do it in a couple of ways - 1. it's something that has been suggested, lots of times by lots of people; creating projects that teach new skills, don't take for-ever and don't cost a ton of money in supplies can be harder than you think.  2.  it's something that is really awesome and we want to share. 

The Minneapolis bracelet came from a similar class that our friends at The Bead Monkey in Minneapolis offer.  :)  See the name connection there?  The bracelets that come from that class are always so pretty and I really liked the idea of a 'simple' bead weaving project.  Bead weaving is something that most people either like or they don't, seed beads are awfully tiny.  

I'm always a little nervous for a new class.  I know that I know how to do it, and I've taught it to at least one of my co-workers, and usually my mom (she's typically a really good person to test classes on, because she doesn't hesitate to not pay attention to directions or to ask lots of questions).  I never really know though how a group of people is going take to directions or if maybe my math somewhere was off or what is going to happen.

GOOD NEWS THOUGH!  Usually our maiden voyages of a class goes fairly well.  The Minneapolis bracelet class was no exception.  I was very lucky to have a great crew in class as well, that's always a huge help.  Jacki, Alex, and Chris did wonderfully!  Their bracelets turned out beautifully. 

{ squeal } I am so in love with these!  And this class!