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Class
Schedule for 2008 - A NEW APPROACH!
I've found that most of my classes that actually take
place are not the ones I've published on my website,
picking random dates. Most of my classes happen when
an interested student emails me inquiring when I might
be able to teach them. So, instead of "scheduling"
classes, I'm encouraging anyone who wishes to take a
class please CONTACT
ME so we can pick a date that's convenient for you.
I'm happy to set up a weekend class, week day classes,
or a four week class which meets during the evenings.
All you have to do is email me and request a date.
Yeah, I'm that easy.
| Class |
Level |
|
Dates
and Times |
Cost
|
| Beginning Beadmaking
|
B |
2 day |
|
$300. |
Special
Technique Classes :
Please refer to class descriptions
below for cost and email me if you're interested
in taking a class. |
Classes
that can be scheduled as requested:
|
Basic Skills
-
Working Past The Wonky Stage |
AB,
I |
1
day |
Please
email to set a date -
I prefer 2 to 3 people in a class,
but will schedule classes as requested.
9:30am - 4:30pm
|
$150.
|
| Intermediate Beadmaking
|
I |
1 day |
Please
email to set a date -
9:30am - 4:30pm
|
$200. |
Levels: B = Beginner, AB = Advanced Beginner,
I = Intermediate, A = Advanced
Please be sure to read about Skill
Level Guidelines
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| Group Class
versus Individual Instruction:
I try to have 2 or 3 people in a class
at a time, (never more than 4) but it doesn't
always work out that way. Once we set up a class
that is convenient for both of us, I will try
to find other prospective students to fill the
class. If I find them, it will be a group class.
If I don't find anyone interested in those dates,
then it's just you and me, at the Group Class
rate. Quite a deal.
BUT, if it is important to you that you get to
work with me one on one, guaranteed, then the
following rates would apply:
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Individual
Instruction:
Individual instruction is priced
so that a multiple day class will cost less per
day, the longer you're here, and returning students
(at any time) can get a price break. And,
just so you know - Individual instruction will
be based on your time schedule, and will often
run into the evening, if you so choose. (More
bang for your buck!) Please email me to schedule
a convenient class date. |
1st day - $200.
2nd day - $150.
3rd day - $125. |
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While you're waiting
for your class, take a look at this page, which
provides feedback, pictures and
fun stuff from some of my past students and classes!
STUDENT PAGE |
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Beginning
Beadmaking
$300 ~ Two day class
This
two day class gives
you both the information
and basic skills necessary
to start making beads
on your own. There is
an emphasis on safety
and knowing your equipment
and materials. You will
learn about the different
types of glass, the
importance of annealing
your beads, how to pull
stringer and simple
decorative cane, make
basic shapes, and use
decorative elements
and tools. You will
make simple but beautiful
beads using dots, frits,
goldstone, stringer
and encasing. The class
size will vary, but
it will be small, never
more than 4 people.
Setting
up a home studio will
be discussed, and individual
attention is available
to assist you in making
choices that work for
your particular situation.
Cost of class
includes all materials
and use of safety glasses,
tools and equipment.
|
Working
Past the Wonky Stage!
Basic Skills Review
$150 ~ One day
class
This
one day class is for
beadmakers who have
been torching for a
while, but are frustrated
at not being able to
make the glass do what
they want! Often people
who are self-taught,
haven't had a class
for a while, or have
reached a plateau in
their beadmaking realize
that they could benefit
from some basic skill
review, giving a little
boost to their glass
control, satisfaction
and confidence.
We
will cover the basics,
starting with applying
glass evenly, learning
to read the heat in
the bead, and where
to work in the flame.
Stringer control, shaping
and learning to use
gravity and a simple
marver as well as some
of the other tools for
complex shapes will
be demonstrated and
practiced. We will work
on balanced beads with
even ends and nice puckers.
Then we will move on
to other decorative
techniques as requested
by the students. You
will come away with
a much better understanding
of how to make the glass
do what YOU want it
to do! No more Wonkys!!
Cost
of class includes all
materials and use of
safety glasses, tools
and equipment.
|
Intermediate
Beadmaking
$200 ~ One day class
This
is a one day class for
beadmakers at the intermediate
level. (Please see skill
level guidelines below,
or email me if you're
unsure which class would
be best for you.) It
covers a review of the
basic skills listed
in the "No More
Wonkys!" class
(above), and goes on
to explore the use of
some of the more difficult
decorative elements,
such as complex cane,
foils, and dichro. Advanced
techniques using hand
tools to shape, sculpt
and texture, and color
layering for effects
will be introduced.
Students input and interest
will help guide the
exact techniques and
bead styles covered.
Cost
of class includes all
materials and use of
safety glasses, tools
and equipment.
|
Technique Classes
The
following specialty
techniques classes will
be offered from time
to time, and can be
requested by groups
of 2 - 4 students. Most
classes will be approx.
four hours long, so
can be scheduled for
any time of the day,
as best suits your schedule.
Please email me for
further information
about the class topics
listed below:
- Beads
in Bloom- Basic
surface floral
decoration,
including Daisies,
Iris, Wisteria,
Roses, leaves
and vines, as
well as flowers
under glass
(encased florals).
Class cost:
$100.
- Hollow
Beads. Learn
several methods
for making,
and decorating,
hollow beads.
Class cost:
$75.
- Vessels
Ancient and
Modern -Learn
to shape and
decorate beautiful
miniature vessels
to wear. $100.
- Elegant
Organics
- Explore the
use of metals,
chemical reaction,
and freeform
shaping to create
glass beads
which mimic
the wonders
of nature. Class
cost: $85.
- All
That JAZZ! -
Learn the secrets
of success for
introducing
amazing sparkle
and glitter
into your beads
using Foils,
Goldstone &
Dichroic glass!
Class cost:
$100.
- Here
Fishy, Fishy,
Fishy...: Sculptural
beadmaking -Thinking
in three dimensions;
Learn to make
fish, fins,
sea creatures
and more using
basic hot glass
sculpting tools
and techniques.
Class cost:
$85.
- Creativity
and Inspiration
101: Finding
and incorporating
new ideas into
your beadmaking.
Class cost:
$65.
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Cost
of classes includes
all materials and use
of safety glasses, tools
and equipment.
|
Individual
Instruction
Individual
instruction is offered
as an option for all
of the above classes,
from beginning to intermediate,
and all technique classes.
I keep my group classes
small, so that everyone
receives individual
attention, assessment
and feedback, however,
there are times when
an individual wants
or needs that one-on-one
attention. Please be
sure to let me know
if you would prefer
to take a class individually.
See
Class Schedule above
for prices.
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Class
Information
My studio is set up with four
torches: three minor bench burners and a mid-range
plus (a minor / mid-range combination). Each
teaching station is equipped with a set of
basic tools and safety glasses for student
use in class. Class size is limited to four
students, but my preference is to teach 2
- 3 people at a time. Seeing other student's
strengths and challenges helps individuals
assess their own progress and growing edges.
With no more than four students in a class,
I can still give each student the personalized
assessment, feedback and instruction that
makes the difference in learning the beadmaking
skills and techniques I teach.
My teaching style is fairly
easy-going, and I have a lively sense of humor.
There is a lot of information to take in,
and many demos of basic skills and techniques.
There will always be time for questions. For
most classes, there will be hand-outs to take
home, with an outline of what we worked on
in class. You will have sufficient torch time
to work on the new skills and techniques that
are introduced in class, with enthusiastic
and supportive supervision and guidance from
me.
A Word About Beginning
Beadmaking
Many students remark that beginning beadmaking
class is exhilarating and exciting, but exhausting.
Yes ! That's exactly how it should be. Learning
to make beads requires a whole new range of
motions, eye/hand coordinations and lots of
new information. By the end of class, you
will be tired, full of ideas, information
and enthusiasm, and ready to go home and set
up your own torch!
Please consider reading one or more of the
following books before your class, to familiarize
yourself with the terms and process of making
glass beads: (This helps a lot!)
- Making
Glass Beads by Cindy Jenkins
- Passing
the Flame by Corina Tettinger
- More Than
You Wanted To Know About Glass Beadmaking
by Jim Kervin
(more technical than the first two,
but very good for future reference
and study)
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For
additional information about what is involved
in setting up your own studio, and making
beads, take a look at my
Frequently
Asked Questions Page.
| Class
Skill Levels |
Unless
you're completely new to beadmaking,
classes listed for certain skill levels
can be confusing. There is no commonly
agreed upon set of skills that an advanced
beginner, intermediate or advanced beadmaker
should have. What "intermediate"
means to you might not be what I mean
when I say a class is for someone at
the intermediate level. So, I have created
a set of guidelines for what I consider
the various levels of beadmaking.
These are guidelines
only, (and only my opinion, of course...)
because people develop skills at different
rates, and sometimes one beadmaker will
be very good with stringer control,
and still not be able to get a balanced
bead with even puckers on the ends.
These guidelines are based on the usual
progression of skills that I have observed
in teaching for several years, but not
everyone will fit a skill level exactly.
That's okay - I offer these skill level
definitions simply as guidelines
to help students to choose the most
appropriate classes for the skills they
have already mastered, and what they
still want and need to work on.
About taking
a class that you are not quite ready
for....
Some people think that even if a student
doesn't have the necessary skills to
get the most benefit from a class that
is more advanced than their current
skill level, they could still learn
techniques and information in that class
that they will be able to use later
on.
While that is true,
unfortunately, it isn't safe, and it
isn't fair, to have students without
the necessary skills in an intermediate
or advanced level class. It isn't safe,
because the instructor will not be prepared
to give the less experienced student
the attention and supervision necessary,
and that puts both that
student, as well as the students sitting
nearby, at a greater risk of getting
hurt.
It isn't fair, because
someone without the basic skills or
experience for a class can slow the
class down, taking the instructor's
time and attention away from teaching
the curriculum that other students are
taking the class to learn. If you have
questions about your skill level and
a class you want to take, please email
me to discuss it, before signing up
for one of my classes.
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| About
the Instructor:
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I
served as Director of Education for
the International Society of Glass
Beadmakers for four years (2002 -2007),
and have been the coordinator / presenter
for the Instructor's Seminars at the
ISGB Gatherings.
During
that time, I drafted the Standards
of Teaching Beginning Beadmaking,
which the ISGB adopted as our approved
Standards.
The
Standards provide much useful information
for prospective beadmaking students,
to help them choose an appropriate
class and a knowledgeable instructor.
You can view the Standards on the
ISGB website:
ISGB Standards of Education
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I
have been making beads since March,
1999.
I have been teaching beadmaking since
April, 2001.
I
took my first class with Kate Fowle-Meleney,
and have also taken classes from Leah
Fairbanks and Kim Osibin (team taught),
Pati Walton, Larry Scott, and Sharon
Peters.
My
beads have been published in Lark Books,
"1000 Glass Beads", Jim Kervin's
"More Than You Wanted To Know About
Making Glass Beads", and Kate McKinnon's
"Project Workbook 2003". I
was a juror for Bead Review 2 (2006).
I
sell my beads at several national bead
shows each year, which has included
The Best Bead Show in Tucson in February,
The Bead Bazaar at The ISGB yearly Gathering,
Bead & Button in Milwaukee, and
Lapidary Journal's BeadFest in Ft. Washington,
PA. in the fall.
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My
academic background includes degrees
in education and social work. In the
past I have worked in retail sales,
run several small crafting businesses
out of my home, helped start a county
hospice, developed and run children's
summer programs, and written / performed
in murder mysteries for amateur theatre.
I
live and teach in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
I have a husband, two adult daughters,
and a couple of rascally animals. My
spare time is spent on the computer,
designing jewelry, or with my family.
I have a secret addiction to watching
"Law and Order", "Big
Brother", "Survivor",
and "Project Runway". Obviously,
Beadmaking is just not exciting enough
by itself.
Okay,
so now it's not much of a secret anymore...
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| Registration
and Payment
The first step in registering for
a class is done by emailing me with the class
/ dates you are interested in. Email
is often the fastest way to reach me, as I
don't answer the phone when I am teaching,
but I do check email (at least!) twice a day.
I will then give you the full details on deposits,
payment and directions in my responding emails.
If you don't hear back from me within 48 hours,
I may be out of town, but I promise to get
back to you when I return.
At this time, I do not require
a deposit on classes; You can pay me when
you get here. (Cash or personal check preferred.)
The bottom line is: Sometimes life happens,
and for very good reasons, one of us has to
cancel or reschedule. In seven years of teaching,
this has happened only a handful of times.
I am flexible and understanding. However,
if you are travelling
here by plane (or other non-refundable transportation),
please let me know that when you register
for a class, so that I can get it down on
my calendar, and be sure to hold that date
for you.
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| Many
of my students travel here from out
of the area to take a class, and in
the past I have offered my guest room
as accomodations. For the time being,
my guest room is "out of commission",
so I am not able to offer that to my
students. I can, however, give you information
regarding where to stay in this area.
Here are some nearby accomodations -
clean, safe, reasonably priced - that
I can recommend:
La
Quinta Inn
192 Newtown Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23462-2401
Phone: (757) 497-6620 |
Courtyard
by Marriott
5700 Greenwich Road
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
Phone: (757) 490-2002
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Holiday Inn
5655 Greenwich Rd,
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 473-0517
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Hampton Inn
5793 Greenwich Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 490-9800
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While you're waiting
for your class, take a look at this page, which
provides feedback, pictures and
fun stuff from some of my past students and classes!
STUDENT PAGE |
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