Our incredible classes have something for everyone: off-loom beading, wire-work, bead embroidery, metalwork and unique bead stringing projects. Our instructors teach all over the world, including at the biggest beading events in the country. Our cruise focuses on quality classes with innovative designers!
Please read carefully: Bonus Classes - Some instructors are offering an extra class during the last day at sea. You can purchase an extra class for $55.00. Classes are held at the same time, so one per participant. You must be registered as a Bead Cruise Participant to sign-up for the optional class. Skill levels: Advanced Beginner, experience with seed beads required - this means you know how to use a needle and thread to do basic beading stitches. Beginner/All skill levels - Whether this is your first class or you've been making jewelry for years, you'll enjoy these classes. *Click on the images for a larger view. Description: Spiny Ndebele medallions radiate to sequin embellished points and are topped with circular right angle weave bead caps. They are joined with firepolish and closed with a peyote toggle. Texture, color, and stitch variety this bracelet has it all! Description: Create your own personal journal. You will create your journal using metal texturing, sawing, and riveting techniques that you will learn in class. The pendant can be created with or without the ribbons. Each one so unique. Come on - tell your story! Required tools: flush wire cutters, chasing hammer, bench block, Metal shears, metal file, 2 hole metal punch, household hammer, plastic mallet. Description: This bracelet is created with sterling silver wire and Japanese seed beads. The band is formed using a unique weaving technique that adds a classic element to the piece while the focus is on the distinctive circle inside a circle component that is woven to the band which runs through the entire bracelet. Description: Learn to create a bezel from a dazzling array of crystals and seed beads to capture a pear shaped crystal pendant. Create a beaded chain with gold accents to complete this stunning design. Tools Required: Long round nose pliers, chain nose, flat nose pliers, flush wire cutters, chasing hammer, bench block, household hammer, metal shears, metal file, 2 hole punch metal punch. Tracy will have a limited number of tools kits to rent for a small fee. Information will be supplied in your welcome packet. Description: Double ended Ndebele becomes a fanciful bail in this simple but elegant design. The sequin center creates a touch of fancy, a romantica medallion drops from the center, and the pendant is finished by a peacock glass drop. Directions will be provided and discussed for the romantica medallion, but may not be beaded in this 3 hour class. Focus will be on the Ndebele bail which will be a fun little re-useable piece of beadwork. You may choose to drop a charm or other fun dangle from yours for instant wearability! ____________________________________________________________ Description: Even if you have never touched wire before this is the class for you! Learn to make this gorgeous bracelet using crystals, shells, pearls and beads. You will leave this class wondering why you haven’t played with wire before. What a beautiful reminder of our fabulous trip! Required tools: small round nose, chain nose and flat nose pliers. Description: Join the festivities and create these graceful hanging earrings decorated with Swarovski pearls, which draw attention to the fine, delicate tubing of sterling silver outlining the edges. The single seed bead elements at the top give these earrings a special touch. Students will learn weaving and tubing with silver wire and how to make French ear hooks.
Marcia DeCoster
One full-day class and one 1/2 day workshop are included in the Bead Cruise Registration. Classes are held at the same time, so you may only choose one for each category. Optional kits available, kit prices vary.
Intermediate - means you have taken other classes to learn the technique or have completed several projects on your own using the required technique.
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Full Day Classes (6 hours)- Pick one
Class: Aurelia
Technique: Beadwork
Skill Level: Intermediate – familiarity with Ndebele and right angle weave
Instructor: Marcia DeCoster
Class: Every Picture Tells a Story
Technique: metalwork
Skill Level: All
Instructor: Tracy Stanley
This class is designed for the novice metal worker to the expert.
Tracy will have a limited number of tool kits for rent for a small fee, information will be supplied in your welcome packet.
Class: Circles Bracelet
Technique: Wirework
Skill Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Dallas Lovett
Class: Siren's Jewels
Technique: Beadwork
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate with basic knowledge of Circular Peyote and Brick Stitch.
Instructor: Beverly Herman
Class: Star Of India Necklace
Technique: Beadwork
Skill Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Jean Campbell
Description: One of Jean's most popular classes, this princess-length necklace is created with Swarovski crystals, true-cut seed beads, and Czech rondelles. A really fun project to make, it employs sculptural peyote stitch, stringing, and fringe techniques.
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1/2 Day Classes (3 hours) - Pick one
Class: Simply Charming - A Charm Bracelet
Technique: metalwork
Skill Level: All
Instructor: Tracy Stanley
Description: Learn to make your own charms using metal stamps. Then create a chain using jump rings and a simple S- link that you will make yourself. Finish off your bracelet with some yummy pearls. Nice touch!
This class is open to all skill levels, even first timers!
Class: Sea Flower
Technique: Beadwork
Skill Level: All
Instructor: Beverly Herman
Description: Capture a sea cabochon that looks like it was picked from Neptune’s treasure chest. Learn bead embroidery to create this beaded medallion. Antiqued brass chain and a toggle clasp complete the necklace. Advanced students can create a netted bracelet before the cruise to attach the beaded medallion. Instructions for the netted bracelet will be provided with the class supply list.
Class: Woodland Treasures
Technique: Stringing
Skill Level: All
Instructor: Heather Powers
Description: Join Heather for a fun class exploring asymmetrical design. Are you afraid to break the rules and create without a pattern? This is the class for you! Students will learn the secrets of successful asymmetrical design and how to trust their own creative instincts during this class. Learn how to string a multi-strand bracelet with a fun mix of beads and a coordinating necklace that uses the same elements.
Class: Bird of Paradise
Technique: Beadwork
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner - Familiarity with Ndebele
Instructor: Marcia DeCoster
Class: De Ros
Technique: Wirework
Skill Level: All
Instructor: Dallas Lovett
Description: The flower pendant captures the elements of nature entwined with the modern industry. Seed beads are woven into a lush circle bringing life to the Swarovski Rivoli centered among petals of Sterling Silver tubing, create a marriage of modern elegance and a fresh look for the flower pendant.
Class: Resin Collage Charms and Pendants
Technique: Resin, paper collage, mixed media
Skill Level: All
Instructor: Jean Campbell
Class Description: Create found-object and paper collages and seal them inside bezels and charms using four different resin/finishing techniques. Create pieces to accessorize your own jewelry creations or make personalized gifts—you'll be sure to leave class with a handful of finished projects!
Optional Classes (3 hours) - $55 Additonal
Class: My Beach Bracelet
Technique: Wirework
Skill Level: All
Instructor: Tracy Stanley
Class: Queen Anne's Lace
Technique: Beadwork
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner - Right angle weave experience
Instructor: Marcia DeCoster
Description: Queen Anne’s Lace is a fun lacy bracelet with plenty of sparkle. Over 200 crystals make it shine. The modified right angle weave units are connected to one another and accented down the center with a pretty firepolished bead. A large Swarovski button forms the clasp for a lovely focal.
Class: La Fiesta Earrings
Technique: Wirework
Skill Level: All
Instructor: Dallas Lovett
Class: Tropical Garden Pendants
Technique: Polymer clay, metalwork
Skill Level: All
Instructor: Heather Powers
Description: Students will create a domed bezel to fill with polymer clay and embellish with Vintaj brass fastenables. Learn to create a flower and leaf cane from bright tropical colors to decorate your pendants. We'll cover a simple surface treatment to add interest to clay backgrounds. Students will complete several pendants and accent beads.
Class: Lilium Bracelet
Technique: Beadwork
Skill Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Jean Campbell
Description: Who needs a prom date when you can wear this intriguing and shapely wrist corsage, making you feel like the belle
of the ball? Stitch this beauty with seed beads and a variety of crystals using sculptural peyote stitch, netting, and ladder stitch techniques. It's a versatile design that can easily be modified to make a necklace or brooch.
In class you'll create one leaf, petal and learn how to construct the bracelet.
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Bead Cruise Instructors
Her love for beautiful jewelry and a life long passion to create brought Marcia to beads in the early 1990’s. Marcia designs colorful and fun to wear jewelry and shares her designs through teaching and publications. Marcia teaches national and international workshops specializing in designs using right angle weave. Her work has been published in Carol Wilcox Wells the Art and Elegance of Beadweaving and she was recently one of the showcased artist in Masters: Beadweaving. Marcia was a 2009 ‘Designer of the Year’ for Beadwork magazine and was recognized as one of Bead and Button Show’s Top Ten Teachers in 2010. Marcia is the author of Marcia DeCoster’s Beaded Opulence, second in a series of Beadweaving Master Class Books published by Lark Books. www.marciadecoster.com
Beverly Herman
Over the past 17 years Beverly has become an expert at a variety of beading techniques which she quickly translated into her own design sensibility. She has been teaching and sharing her bead knowledge for over 15 years. She teaches her original designs at bead retreats and classes throughout the South. Her work has also been published in national bead magazines and books. She has written and published pattern books such as The Russian Dragonfly and A Touch of Russian Elegance. You can find more of her patterns at Bead-Patterns.com and her website www.noeasybeads.com.
Tracy Stanley
Tracy has been teaching beading and wire-work classes for 17 years. In addition to teaching locally she also travels and teaches at a variety of bead stores and shows around the country. Some of the places Tracy has taught include: NanC Meinhardts in Highland Park, Ill, Crystal Creations in West Palm Beach Florida, Alaska Bead Company in Anchorage Alaska, Creative Castle in Newbury Park Ca, Bead Expo, Bead Fest, Bead and Button Show and Bay Area Bead Extravaganza. You can see more of Tracy's amazing work on her website at www.wiredarts.net
Dallas Lovett
Dallas Lovett is a native of
Heather Powers
Heather Powers is the organizer of the Bead Cruise, a popular beadmaker and a jewelry-designer. Her work has been featured in numerous publications including BeadStyle, Stringing, Bead Trends, Beadwork and more. Her work has appeared on HGTV's That's Clever and PBS' Beads, Baubles and Jewels. She is currently writing a jewelry design book for Kalmbach. Heather is also the founder and editor of the blog, The Art Bead Scene that celebrates art beads and inspires those who use them. www.humblebeads.com
Jean Campbell
Jean Campbell designs, teaches, and writes about beadwork. She is the founding editor of Beadwork magazine and has written and edited more than 45 books, most recently including Steampunk Style Jewelry and the upcoming Creating Glamorous Jewelry with Swarovski Crystals. Jean writes a popular weekly blog on BeadingDaily.com and is a Crystallized Elements Ambassador for the Swarovski Company. She has appeared on the DIY Jewelry Making show, The Shay Pendray Show, and PBS' Beads, Baubles, and Jewels where she gives how-to instructions, provides inspiration, and lends crafting advice. Jean teaches off-loom beading throughout the United States. Visit Jean’s website at www.jeancampbellink.com.
