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Make Your Own Gemstone Bead Jewelry

How to make beaded bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and anklets using gemstone and other natural beads.
Willow Polson
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(87)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

This easy, fun, and pattern-free class teaches how to select, arrange, and string a variety of gemstone and other beads to make bracelets, anklets, necklaces, and more.  We'll start by choosing a type of gemstone bead, then build out the design of a bracelet using a variety of other types of natural beads, which may include metal, glass, stone, wood, bone, shell, or ceramic. (I don't use plastic in my designs, but learners may use any beads they like in theirs.) Also covered is how to use metal crimp beads to secure the beading wire to both ends of the clasp.

If there's time, we'll start designing a necklace with a focal pendant and talk about how a necklace design differs from that of a bracelet. Or, if learners prefer, we can make some earrings to match the bracelet we just made.

I'll be using my secondary top-down camera to give a good close-up view of my hands and the supplies as I make an example bracelet similar to the ones in the class photo. No experience is required, but some basic knowledge of using pliers, wire cutters, and types of beads is helpful.

Other Details

Supply List
Assorted gemstone, glass, shell, wood, and other small bracelet-sized beads
Gold or surgical steel (nickel-free) 10x6mm lobster clasps
Gold or surgical steel (nickel-free) 6mm or 8mm split rings to match clasp color
Steel or gold 7-strand coated beading wire, .019 in (.48mm) to match clasp color
Approx. 1.5 mm round gold or silver crimp beads to match clasp color
Small flat pliers for crimp beads
Small wire cutter pliers
Bead design layout board (optional but very useful)
Small jar lids or other small dishes for sorting beads
Large focal bead or pendant for the necklace project (optional)
Gold or silver 3" headpins, gold or surgical steel ear wires for earrings (optional)
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
4.8
87reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
I've been working with beads since I was a kid (over 40 years now) and have taught beadwork classes for all ages at medieval recreation events, at Embroidery Guild of America meetings, and independently out of my home, as well as demonstrating beading techniques as a docent at various California State Parks. My gemstone bead jewelry as featured in this class was recently accepted as part of the "Made In Mariposa" local artisan program and is for sale in the Mariposa County visitor and tourism center.

Reviews

Live One-Time Class
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$15

per class
Meets once
55 min

Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-10 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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