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The Pear Tree offers a wide variety of workshops, beginning at the basic level to get you started to the more advanced levels of jewelry making. These are all structured to help you gain the skills needed to create your own one-of-a-kind pieces (and repair your broken ones, too!).
DISCOUNTS: There is a 10% discount on all beads and findings used in the workshop (Frequent Beader cards do not apply to workshops).
CLASS FEES: Workshops are $35 plus materials unless otherwise indicated*. Class fees must be paid in full at the time of registration. Cash to the instructor is preferred, though we will happily
accept Visa or MasterCard. A credit will be given for a cancellation made at minimum 1 day in advance.
PRIVATE WORKSHOPS: We offer private workshops for individuals and groups, an excellent idea for weddings, small get togethers, and birthday parties. Receive 10% off on the materials used during class.
Classes subject to postponement due to low enrollment.
- 8/3, Tuesday: Beginner's Basics, 6:30 - 8pm ($35 plus materials)
- 8/4, Wednesday: Egyptian Coil Bracelet, 6 - 8pm ($45 plus materials)
- 8/10, Tuesday: Easy Earrings, 6:30 - 8pm ($35 plus materials)
- 8/11, Wednesday: Chainmaille: Persian, 6 - 8pm ($45 plus materials)
- 8/17, Tuesday: Beaded Hoop Earrings, 6:30 - 8pm ($35 plus materials)
- 8/18, Wednesday: Chainmaille: Viper Scale, 6 - 8pm ($45 plus materials)
- 8/24, Tuesday: Beginner's Basics, 6:30 - 8pm ($35 plus materials)
- 8/25, Wednesday: Sculptured Earrings, 6 - 8pm ($45 plus materials)
- 8/31, Tuesday: Wire Wrapped Rings, 6:30 - 8pm ($35 plus materials)
- Scroll down or use the green menu bar to get a full description of each class. If you don't see a description it is because the class is brand new! Stay tuned, more descriptions to be posted soon...
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Let's get you started! This class is designed to acquaint you with the primary tools and techniques for making beaded jewelry. We will use soft flex wire along with a variety of hardware including crimping that can be used to make necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. You will leave with at least one completed project.
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Using 20 gauge sterling silver wire you will form the shape of your hoop and then using 24 gauge sterling silver wire you will learn how to wrap beads and stones onto your hoop earrings.
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Using 20 gauge sterling silver wire, roung nose pliers and chain nose pliers, you will learn how to cage any size bead. This makes a wonderful heavy bracelet. The materials fee includes 20 gauge sterling silver wire, glass beads, and sterling silver toggle.
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Using various gauges of sterling silver jump rings you will learn basic chainmaille techniques to create a Byzantine Bracelet with Marissa O'Brien. Will are also teaching advanced classes: Daisy Chainmaille, 4-1, Jen's Pind. There are sample's of Marissa's jewelry at the store and also available online at www.brokenbranches.com
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Using chandelier hardware, chain, wire and headpins you will create a framework to add the beads of your choice. Beginner�s Basics or Easy Earrings helpful, but not necessary to participate in this class. We will also learn how to wire wrap briolette stones onto the chandelier earrings in this class.
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menuCharming and they are back! Only this time, we are creating the base ourselves using 16-20 GA wire and adding the charms to it. An intermediate level class. We are also offering a class adding swarovski crystals and charms to sterling silver chain.
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Wondering what to do with the jar of random mix beads you have accumulated or inherited? Here is one creative and funky solution. Using 16-24 GA wire we will create a bracelet mold and wrap wire around it while adding beads along the way.
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Lightweight and quick to make! Using a crochet needle and fine gauge wire you will make a net with beads caught in it! Sort of� actually, a delicate looking necklace.
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Using semi-precious beads and bead chips you will create these one-of-a kind earrings. You will learn how to make loop and coil connections.
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Easier than you imagine! You may end up leaving this workshop with several pair! No matter if you've never made a single item of jewelry in your life, this is a great class for beginners and advanced designers alike.
Basic wire working skills are helpful, though not required. We create earrings, earring findings, clasps, pendants, and more in this workshop. We will be using all gauges of wire, a steel plate, a wig jig, hammers, and your imagination!
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menuDo you have a necklace that needs to be re-strung, re-knotted, or re-worked? Does your bracelet need a new clasp, or do you have a pair of earrings that have come apart? In this class you will learn how to fix these and other problems. The perfect HANDS-ON class for all your broken jewelry needs!
menuKingsmaille Chainmaille
Using jump rings and two flat nose pliers you will learn this wonderful
chainmaille pattern. The Kingsmaille is a heavy weave, but looks great
on. This looks great on both women and men. The materials fee includes
sterling silver jump rings, use of flat nose pliers, and a sterling
silver toggle.
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This technique is traditionally used with pearls, though can be used with any type of bead. Using silk, tweezers, and an awl you will learn the single strand and double strand knotting techniques. The technique will be used to complete either an entire knotted necklace on your own, or to create a floating bead necklace.
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Lariats are lasso style necklaces without clasps that wrap once or even ten times around your neck if you like. No matter what the length, we will end them with elegantly draped pendants.
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Using various gauges of wire that are dependent on your choice of beads, we will create a necklace of individually linked beads
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Using copper, silver, and gold-filled chains you will create a gorgeous multi-chain necklace.
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In this class you wil learn to design a flattering, face framing necklace that falls from your collarbone. The descending drops are fluid and fall in a graduated pattern. The necklace is linked together using wire and headpins. Familiarity with headpins and basic wire work helpful but not necessary.
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Using sterling silver jump rings you will learn the Persian chainmaille pattern. This is one of the easier chainmaille patterns to learn. The materials fee includes sterling silver jump rings, a sterling silver toggle and use of 2 flat nose pliers.
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Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is fine silver embedded in clay. You can mold the clay and texture with stamps into any design. After the clay is fired in our kiln, your pieces are .999. In our classes, you'll learn the basics of working with PMC including adding textures, stones, shaping, kiln firing, and finishing techniques with Marissa O'Brien of Broken Branches. If there is time at the end of the class we will add a patina to the fine silver using liver of sulfer. Marissa is certified by the PMC Guild, www.pmcguild.com. Stop by the shop to see samples of Marissa's work. You can also view her jewelry online at www.brokenbranches.com
menuPMC Earrings
This is a great introductory class to learning the basics of PMC. This
class is approximately 3 hours long. You will learn how to apply
textures to the PMC, form, and shape the clay into earrings. The
materials fee includes PMC, use of instructor's textures, pmc tools,
kiln, and finishing supplies. At the end of the class you will leave
with 3 or 4 finished pairs of fine silver earrings.
Design a ring using a ring base with pre-soldered rings to which you attach as much *bling* as you like using headpins.
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This is a wonderful technique for weaving wire. Using 28 gauge sterling silver wire you will weave the wire over a dowel. When the weave is complete you will draw the chain through a draw plate to reduce the size fo the weave. The materials fee includes 28 gauge wire, draw place, and cut lube to take home. Students are expected to finish the bracelet on their own time; however they will learn at the end of the class how to finish the bracelet. Once you learn the basics, you can weave beautiful necklaces to display your favorite pendants!
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Using fine gauge gold filled or sterling silver wire you will learn how to form a ring on a mandrel and to wire wrap a stone.
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menuPerhaps one of the most frequently asked questions of the year has been... WHAT IS A WIG JIG?! The wig jig is a peg board where you use pegs to form a pattern. Templates for various designs are provided. By following a template, you will wrap a length of heavy gauge wire around the pegs. After pulling the piece from the board it is gently hammered into its final shape. You will end up with a pendant that can be used to hang on a necklace or can be made into a pair of earrings. A fun variation of wire work for all levels!
menuAn introduction to the various types of pliers and hammers used in wire work. Making jump rings, eye pins, coiling, flattening and adding texture are just a few of the things you will learn in this class.
menuNEW CLASS! description will be here soon.
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