At our store location, S & A Beads in Takoma Park, MD, we offer a wide variety of jewelry-making classes that are sure to be fun and inspiring regardless of your previous training in jewelry-making.
Our beginning beading classes teach the basics of bead stringing.
From there you can explore more specialized techniques
in separate classes on knotting and wire wrapping.
We also offer beading parties where groups of 4 or more can create their own workshop
and get assistance on whichever projects and techniques they'd like to try.
Many people have met at a jewelry-making class and continued to take classes together,
building their own creative community!
Click here to view photos of student work on our Facebook page!
(Scroll down to view class schedule)
Our expert instructor Cheryl Moody working with students young and old!
Fundamentals of Bead Stringing I - $40
- Saturday, June 1, 2013, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
- Saturday, June 15, 2013, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
- Saturday, July 20, 2013, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
- Saturday, July 27, 2013, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
- Saturday, August 3, 2013, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
- Saturday, August 17, 2013, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Metal Wire Wrapping - $50
- Saturday, May 25, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
- Saturday, June 22, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
- Saturday, August 24, 2013, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Private Beading Class - $80 /+ $30 each additional hour
- Scheduled upon request, please call 301 891 2323
- Scheduled upon request please call, 301 891 2323
- A 5 person minimum
- Seasonal
General Class Policies:
- To secure your seat pre-payment is required for all classes, call 301 891 2323 or visit the store
- Classes fill the 6 person limit quickly, so act fast
- No refunds for cancellations and/or no-shows
- If we cancel a class due to lack of enrollment, students will be notified and given the option of a full refund or taking the same class at a later date
- Only registered students may attend the class
- Please notify instructor of any special health accommodations
- Students receive a 10% discount on any purchase, on the day of the class
- Beading can be highly addictive, so be forewarned
Meet Your Instructor:
Class Descriptions:
NEW!
Beading for Kids (Ages 6 - 12)
Class
Fee: $30 per child
Supplies:
(Included in class fee)
Class
length: 1 hour (selected Saturdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm; selected Sundays
5:30 - 6:30 pm)
Class
size: Minimum 3 students/Maximum 7 students
In our
one-hour beading classes for kids, your child will learn the basics of beading
and make a necklace of his/her own design! We will supply your child with beading
wire, crimp tubes, a clasp, and an assortment of seed beads, miscellaneous
gemstone beads, and pewter charms to create a unique necklace. We welcome
inquiries regarding children's beading parties for events such as birthdays,
holidays, etc. Please give us a call at the store if you would like us to
organize a special beading party for your child.
Fundamentals of Bead Stringing I: Create Your Own Earrings & Necklace
Class
Fee: $40 per person
Supplies:
(Beading wire and surgical steel findings are included in the class fee.) Students will be given time
during class (and a 10% class discount) for selecting and purchasing beads to
use for their project(s). Students may also purchase Sterling Silver
findings (also at a discount) to use for their project.
Class
length: 3 hours (selected Saturdays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm)
Class
size: Minimum 4 students/Maximum 6 students
Learn to work with the essential tools of bead stringing – clasps, crimps, ear wires, headpins, and other finishing techniques. For two hours our bead shop is yours to explore! Use any of our thousands of beads to learn the basic skills and make your own special creations. You only need to pay for the creations that you decide to take home. Participants range in age from 9 to 90, and come to class with a range of craft skills and experience. Whether you are just beginning or an experienced beader eager to brush up on basic techniques, we will work with you to create beautiful and distinctive jewelry. Students are usually able to complete a necklace and earring set within the class period.

Knotting
for Beginners
Class
Fee: $45 per person
Supplies:
(Knotting cord and surgical steel findings are included in the class fee.) Students will be given time
during class (and a 10% class discount) for selecting and purchasing beads to
use for their knotting project. Students may also purchase Sterling Silver
findings (also at a discount) to use for their project.
Class
length: 3 hours (selected Saturdays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm)
Class
size: Minimum 4 students/Maximum 6 students
Knotting
is a bead-stringing technique that spaces the beads out, allowing them to drape
elegantly. It is a technique often used in stringing pearls and other delicate
materials. However, knotting also works well with chunky beads strung on
thicker cord -- beads that might ordinarily feel too clunky to wear can be
knotted and worn elegantly and comfortably! In this class, students are taught
how to select the appropriate knotting cord for their particular projects. They
learn how cord thickness and nuances in color can affect their finished
product. Students are able to complete at least one bracelet during the class,
and are encouraged to choose more delicate beads so that they can learn
knotting in the traditional way. If time allows, students can then select
larger beads to make a second bracelet using thicker cord. Students can also
experiment with floating (spacing out knotted beads along the cord) in their
second project.

Beginning
Metal Wire Wrapping
Class
Fee: $50 per person
Supplies:
(Included in class fee)
Class
length: 3 hours (selected Saturdays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm)
Class
size: Minimum 4 students/Maximum 6 students
Our
beginning metal wire wrapping class teaches many important basic skills and
combines them all into one exciting necklace! In this class, students learn how
to make a pendant by wrapping a stone; how to shape and hammer wire into
elegant designs to put on necklaces; and how to wrap beads around wire in order
to make a beautiful, textured piece of jewelry. Students learn a variety of
skills that open the door to many new possibilities with jewelry design! Many
of our students continue taking classes together in advanced wire wrapping
after they take this class. The class fee includes wire of various gauges
(thicknesses) and an assortment of beads and stones to use in students'
projects. This is also a great class for students to bring in their own special
beads, stones, shells, etc. to incorporate into their projects.

Private Beading
Class
Fee: $80/$30 per additional hour
Supplies:
Students can purchase supplies at a 10% discount, though it is recommended that
you come prepared with supplies in order to take full advantage of your 2 hours
of private instruction.
Class
length: 2 hours (selected Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:15 - 9:15 pm)
Class
size: 1 student
This is a
unique experience to work one-on-one with a talented instructor, Cheryl Moody.
Whether you need help refining the basic techniques or getting ready for your
first show, a private class allows you to choose your own curriculum. The scope
of this class will be determined by the needs and interests of each individual
student.
Bead
Parties: Workshop
Class
Fee: $35 per person
Supplies:
Students can purchase supplies at a 10% discount and/or arrange to have the
instructor bring additional supplies if the workshop will be held outside of
the store.
Class
length: (Flexible – please call the store to arrange. Workshops are
generally between 1 – 3 hours long.)
Class
size: Minimum 4 students/Maximum 6 students
Our beading
party workshops are perfect for birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers,
wine clubs, or just a fun night out with the girls – any time is a good time to
plan a creative get-together! In our workshops, we help each person design and
finish a unique piece of jewelry. The pieces can also be unique to the
event/occasion you are celebrating. We are happy to incorporate personal
themes, colors, or symbols into your workshop. Topics like materials, number of
people, age of people, type of pieces, date, and location will all be taken
into account when we arrange your workshop. Call to schedule by speaking with
Zoe Stern, the store manager, and/or Cheryl Moody, the instructor.

