Jewelry Workshop: Bead, Wrap, Chain & Etch

Class Preview

Build a broad skill base for getting started making beautiful, timeless jewelry. This is the perfect class for beginners to test many different types of techniques, from beading to wire wrapping and beyond.

Introduction & Materials

Meet your teacher, Max Goodman, as she leads a discussion on the four different jewelry-making processes covered in the course as well as the materials needed for each process.

Pearl Knotting: Introduction

Learn the tools and materials you’ll need in order to knot pearls successfully and how to use this technique on a variety of pieces.

Pearl Knotting: Making Knots

Follow the process of knotting pearls into a bracelet or necklace, including tips on how to avoid mistakes and ways to make things easier on yourself.

Pearl Knotting: Finishing

Explore different clasps as Max demonstrates how to tie on a clasp and how to finish the piece so it will last.

Wire Wrapping: Introduction

Discover how to match your wire with your beads so that everything works together and learn several wire-wrapping techniques to create a wide assortment of pieces.

Wire Wrapping: Using Headpins

Learn how to size headpins, how to wrap them to various types of jewelry and how you can use headpins to add complexity within a relatively simple pattern.

Wire Wrapping: Using Briolettes

Discover what makes briolettes unique, along with how to wrap them correctly and how to fit them to an earring or to a chain that will become either a bracelet or a necklace.

Chain Making: Introduction

Master a simple chain-making technique as Max shows you some beautiful pieces that you can create using only pliers and some metal rings. You’ll learn step by step the process for building a simple chain from scratch.

Chain Making: Bird’s Nest Chain

Build upon your chain making skills as Max demonstrates the more complex pattern of the Bird’s Nest chain and shows you some ideas for adding elegance and custom elements to your pieces.

Chain Making: Chain Maille

Learn the proper process for making chain maille, a form of jewelry derived from a style of medieval armor. You’ll learn how to create a beautiful fabric-like appearance using metal rings.

Chain Making: Jump Rings

Make your own jump rings from scratch as Max discusses why you would want to make your own, as opposed to buying machine-made jump rings.

Photo Etching: Introduction

Max introduces you to the exciting and versatile process of photo etching and its many applications for making jewelry. Create patterns to be etched into metal and review the safety precautions required for this process.

Photo Etching: Finishing

See how the etching process works on copper alloys, how to polish and fix your piece and how to ensure you have a successful piece when you’re finished.