April Cold Connections/Metalsmithing Workshop

Our Metalsmithing Workshop is Back!

Saturday, April 18 - Sunday, April 19: METALSMITHING (COLD CONNECTIONS)

This is a terrific, intense 2-day workshop (9AM - 6PM both days) jam-packed with basic Cold Connections techniques, including cutting, sawing, annealing, etching, texturing, patination, and so much more. Students usually create anywhere from 6 to 12 pieces, depending on the size and complexity of the designs they choose. This is a very flexible class - no kits! Everyone makes whatever they choose, with lots of guidance, helpful tips, and hands-on instruction from the workshop leader. The fee for this 2 day workshop is $155 (nonrefundable registration deposit: $65), and includes handout materials, all supplies needed to learn the techniques and to make your pieces, as well as use of tools, etc. The only additional fees would be if you choose to use beads, crystals, etc from the shop as embellishment, or if you want bails, chain, earwires, or other materials to finish off your designs. If you have tools you wish to bring, or interesting found objects - feel free!

More information about this workshop can be found here. Please refer to this link for important materials and safety information for workshop participants!

For any interested students, we will be offering an optional 3rd day of Metalwork instruction on Monday, April 20. This class is designated as an "independent design day," where students can bring together the techniques they learned the previous 2 days to design and fabricate a piece of their choosing, with help from the workshop leader as needed. (Many samples and pictures are available for inspiration.) More advanced techniques such as fold-forming can be explored, OR interested students can try their hand at kiln enameling. Students can also dig deeper into any previously-learned techniques according to their own lines of interest. This is a terrific opportunity to integrate your brand new metal fabrication skills!

Students with solid prior Cold Connections experience are welcome to register for the Monday Independent

Design Workshop without enrolling in the Sat/Sun 2-day Workshop, but should be aware that this is NOT a refresher course, and no instruction in technique will be available on that day. The workshop leader will be available to provide guidance/consultation about design & fabrication ideas only, except where more advanced techniques (such as fold-forming or enameling) are explored, as discussed in the previous paragraph. The usual cold-connections stations (annealing, etching, pickling, etc) and tools will be available, so it's a great opportunity to put some pieces together without the bother of setting it up and cleaning it up at home!
  
The fee for this optional 3rd day is $75 ($35 non-refundable deposit required for registration). Class fee includes use of all tools, chemicals, enamels, etc - but does NOT include sheet metal or wire. These materials are available for purchase for students who don't have them, or you may bring your own (in the past, students have had plenty of copper left over from the preceding 2-day metal workshop).
Here are some pictures of projects created with Cold Connections techniques (more pictures can be found on YaYaBeads.com:

 


Space in this class is limited, due to the extensive classroom space needed for set-up of all the chemicals, tools, torches, etc.

Call the shop to register, OR come by and see examples of all these wonderful projects!

Hope to see you soon!
YaYa Beads
109 Shartom Drive
Augusta, GA 30907
(behind the Washington Rd. Applebee's)
706-651-1147

Updated class schedule - more Wire Classes! EDITED 7/21/11

Saturday Wire-Wrapping Classes have been a huge hit, so we are adding more to the schedule.

Here is the complete & up-to-date class schedule:


Wire-Wrapped Earrings: Sunday, August 7, 1PM - 5:30PM

Congratulations to Rita, the first customer to register for this class! She has chosen Daniel's earring class, and these are the 3 pairs of earrings we will be making during this class:

Lots of different wire technique going on here; you will leave class with 3 different projects, and lots of new skills!



Wire-Wrapped Square Knot Bracelet: Saturday, August 27, 1PM - 5:00PM


This is a good beginner level Wire Class, and makes a bracelet that is also popular with the guys. Please note that heavier gauge wire is used, so hand strength plays a role in your ability to complete the project. Fee: $35 plus supplies.



Wire-Wrapped Geometric Bracelet (with optional addition of beads): Saturday, September 17, 1PM - 5:00PM


This is another good beginner level Wire class, and this bracelet looks terrific when different metals are combined, too - like copper and silver, or silver and gold-filled. Addition of beads to your finished bracelet is optional (and not shown in the pic - sorry!) Fee: $35 plus supplies



Wire-Wrapped Darlin's Bracelet and Matching Ring: Sunday, September 25, 1PM - 6:00PM

Another beginner level Wire Class; 2 projects will be taught(the matching bracelet and ring) and instructions will be handed out for the matching earrings, which students will be able to complete on their own with the skills learned in this class.

Please note that these projects use heavier gauge wire, so hand strength will play a part in your ability to complete the projects.
Fee: $40 plus supplies



SUPER Cold Connections Extravaganza!: November 11, 12, 13, and 14; 9AM - 6PM

Read entire post to learn about discounted registration fees...

We are going to have a 4-day Cold Connections Blowout with Kathy Morris, who returns to YaYa Beads from the William Holland Lapidary School. The first 2 days will be the basic Cold Connections Workshop, and then the 3rd and 4th days will build on these skills. Students may take any or all of these classes - you do NOT have to sign up for all 4 days (but you'll be sorry if you don't!)

Basic Cold Connections on Friday & Saturday, November 11-12. This is a terrific, intense 2 day workshop on Cold Connections techniques, including cutting, sawing, annealing etching, texturing, and so much more. Students usually create anywhere from 5 to 12 pieces, depending on the size and complexity of the designs they choose. This is a very flexible class - no kits! Everyone makes whatever they choose, with lots of guidance and instruction from Kathy. The fee for this 2 day workshop is $130 (registration deposit: $65), and includes all supplies needed to learn the techniques and to make your pieces, as well as use of tools, etc. The only additional fees would be if you choose to use beads, crystals, etc from the shop as embellishment, or if you want bails, chain, earwires, or other materials to finish off your designs. If you have tools you wish to bring, or interesting found objects texturing implements - feel free!

On Sunday, November 13, Kathy will move on to enameling - this is a great addition to your cold connections skills, so prior cold connections experience IS a prerequisite, but you don't have to have taken it here! As long as you have taken it somewhere, you are welcome to learn how to enamel on copper in this class. Fee for this class is $55 (deposit: $35) and includes all materials except your metal. You may bring your own, pre-prepped copper pieces for enameling; you may bring your own sheet copper and prepare it during class, or we will have sheet copper available for purchase. The fee also includes all use of tools you may need although you may wish to bring your own tools, too.

This enameled copper bracelet and earring set was made in one of Kathy's prior one-day enameling workshops - and these weren't the only projects the student completed that day. If you work hard, this can be a very prolific class for you (especially if you prepare your copper pieces ahead of class!), as well as fun and educational.

On Monday, November 14, Kathy is again building on your cold connections skills, this time with a fairly new, exciting technique: alcohol ink. This is another wonderful way to add color to your cold connections designs, but with the torch/kiln required for enameling. Class fee: $55 (registration deposit: $35) includes all materials except your metal. You may bring your own, pre-prepped metal pieces (brass &/or copper); you may bring your own sheet copper &/or brass and prepare it during class, or we will have sheet copper/brass available for purchase. The fee also includes all use of tools you may need although you may wish to bring your own tools, too.

Prior cold connections experience is a prerequisite!

2 projects made with alcohol ink on metal

**Please note: Registration fees are discounted for students that sign up for 3 or more days of classes this weekend and pay entire registration fee in advance:

3-day packages:

• 2 Day Cold Connections Workshop + Enameling: $175 ($10 savings)




• 2 Day Cold Connections Workshop + Alcohol Ink on Metal: $175 ($10 savings)

All 4 days: Cold Connections + Enameling + Alcohol Ink on Metal: $225 ($15 saving)

Call the shop to register for classes, or come on by - we'd love to see you!


We still have a few tubes of the 3-cut (faceted) 6/0 seedbeads featured on page 40 of the June/July 2011 SuperBeadwork. In this magazine, these beads were used in a Kumihimo bracelet, but our customers have gone wild with these beads, and made some gorgeous necklaces, earrings, bracelets - and not just with Kumihimo. We have 6 colors of these beads available, including the color mix featured in SuperBeadwork.

We have received calls from all over the country about these beads, and while we don't sell on this website, if you call us with your credit card number, we will be happy to ship these beads to you.

If you have not become a YaYa Beads Facebook fan, what are you waiting for? You are missing out on all the latest shop news, as well as all our exclusive Facebook sales!!


YaYa Beads
109 Shartom Drive
Augusta, GA 30907
706-651-1147
(behind the Washington Rd Applebee's)

Class Schedule Update

Wire-Wrapped Cabochon Pendant: Sunday, July 10, 1PM - 6PM
This is a great class for beginners; Daniel gives a great introduction to wire and tools, and individualized instruction in the design of your pendant.



*Note: There are only 2 openings left for this class!


Class fee: $35 plus supplies





Wire-Wrapped Beaded Bracelet (Maggie's Bracelet): Saturday, July 16, 11AM- 4:30 PM (you may want to bring some lunch with you)


This is a really fun class; Daniel covers all the introductory skills for beginners, and you will create a beautiful beaded pendant, with your choice of beads. Many different sizes and shapes of beads work for this bracelet (but all the beads in any particular bracelet must be the same size and shape!)

Class fee: $35 plus supplies

Wire-Wrapped Earrings: Sunday, August 7, 1PM - 5:30PM

Congratulations to Rita, the first customer to register for this class! She has chosen Daniel's earring class, and these are the 3 pairs of earrings we will be making during this class:

SUPER Cold Connections!: November 11, 12, 13, and 14; 9AM - 6PM

We are going to have a 4-day Cold Connections Blowout with Kathy Morris, who returns to YaYa Beads from the William Holland Lapidary School. The first 2 days will be the basic Cold Connections Workshop, and then the 3rd and 4th days will build on these skills. Students may take any or all of these classes - you do NOT have to sign up for all 4 days (but you'll be sorry if you don't!)

Basic Cold Connections on Friday & Saturday, November 11-12. This is a terrific, intense 2 day workshop on Cold Connections techniques, including cutting, sawing, annealing etching, texturing, and so much more. Students usually create anywhere from 5 to 12 pieces, depending on the size and complexity of the designs they choose. This is a very flexible class - no kits! Everyone makes whatever they choose, with lots of guidance and instruction from Kathy. The fee for this 2 day workshop is $175, and includes all supplies needed to learn the techniques and to make your pieces, as well as use of tools, etc. The only additional fees would be if you choose to use beads, crystals, etc from the shop as embellishment, or if you want bails, chain, earwires, or other materials to finish off your designs.

On Sunday, November 13, Kathy will move on to enameling - this is a great addition to your cold connections skills, so cold connections IS a prerequisite, but you don't have to have taken it here! As long as you have taken it somewhere, you are welcome to learn how to enamel on copper in this class. Fee for this class not yet available - we will post it here as soon as we have it.

This enameled copper bracelet and earring set was made in one of Kathy's prior one-day enameling workshops - and these weren't the only projects the student completed that day. If you work hard, this can be a very prolific class for you, as well as fun and educational! You can get some Christmas presents made!!

On Monday, November 14, Kathy is again building on your cold connections skills, this time with a fairly new, exciting technique: alcohol ink. This is another wonderful way to add color to your cold connections designs, but with the torch/kiln required for enameling. We will get some photos, and the fee, posted as soon as we have them. Prior cold connections experience is a prerequisite!

Call the shop to register for classes, or come on by - we'd love to see you!


We still have some of the 3-cut (faceted) 6/0 seedbeads featured on page 40 of the June/July 2011 SuperBeadwork. In this magazine, these beads were used in a Kumihimo bracelet, but our customers have gone wild with these beads, and made some gorgeous necklaces, earrings, bracelets - and not just with Kumihimo. We have 6 colors of these beads available, including the color mix featured in SuperBeadwork.

We have received calls from all over the country about these beads, and while we don't sell on this website, if you call us with your credit card number, we will be happy to ship these beads to you.

If you have not become a YaYa Beads Facebook fan, what are you waiting for? You are missing out on all the latest shop news, as well as all our exclusive Facebook sales!!



YaYa Beads
109 Shartom Drive
Augusta, GA 30907
706-651-1147
(behind the Washington Rd Applebee's)

Upcoming classes

Cold Connections, Enamelling on Copper, and Viking Knit are all right around the corner - check out the calendar -

Cold Connections starts this Friday! We still have openings in all 3 classes - so don't miss these great opportunities!

Change, Change, Change

There is SO much new stuff going on here - if you haven't been by lately, you don't know what you are missing.

As always, we have lots of exciting classes coming up, and lots of new ones - the Enameling on Copper and the Bead Embroidery are right around the corner!

And I was just got the opportunity to offer a class in Viking Knit - this is a gorgeous wire technique, and I can't get any pics up today, but I will soon. While my preference for offering these speciality classes is to have them on the the Weekends, the Viking Knit class probably going to be taught on a Tuesday, due to the teacher's availability. THIS MAY CHANGE, though - so I will keep this newsletter up-to-date, as well as the calendar.

We have gotten in a lot of new goodies - we now have bead spinners (by popular request), some terrific polyester chain in beautiful colors (yes, I said polyester....you guys won't believe the look and feel of this chain. It is gorgeous!).

And all our books and magazines are always, ALWAYS, 15% off. And we have a lot of new books!

And for all you Facebook folks out there, I have been working hard to create a Facebook page for the shop. This is where you can find us: YaYa Beads on Facebook. I really, really wanted this to be a purely business page, where folks could visit, see what is going on, and view photos, leave comments, etc. However, Facebook doesn't really allow the functionality for a business that I wanted for the store's page, so the shop's Facebook page is now some sort of hybrid business-personal page, that has to link through my personal profile to allow users to see all of our gorgeous photos and to leave comments. So please take the time to check us out on Facebook, and tell the world how great YaYa Beads is!

And if anyone out there is a Facebook guru, and can figure out how I can get photo albums directly on the YaYa page without having to route everyone through my personal Facebook page, stop by the shop and feel free to school me!

New classes!

We are excited to be able to add Copper Clay to our class schedule!

The copper clay product is similar to Art Clay Silver, but since it is copper, it has different chemical properties, and requires different handling and firing, and yields a beautiful copper project. You can use copper clay to make all the same items you can make with Art Clay Silver: pendants, bracelet/necklace links, rings, earrings, etc, at a fraction of the cost incurred with Art Clay Silver.

Angela Foreman will be teaching this class on Saturday, July 10, @ 10:30 AM. Class fee is $65, and includes all supplies.

example of Copper Clay Pendant

Don't forget our upcoming Bead Embroidery 2-day Workshop in June (June 5 and June 19) - learn how to make these gorgeous, intricately beaded cuffs!

We have an example of one of these beaded cuffs in the shop -come take a look!

And don't forget that Cold Connections is returning in June (June 18 & 19), as well as our brand new Enameling on Copper Workshop (June 20 and 21)!

Hope to see you soon!

YaYa Beads
109 Shartom Drive
Augusta, GA 30907
706-651-1147
(behind the Washington Rd. Applebee's)

Enameling on Copper

We are pleased to present a brand new workshop at YaYa Beads, taught by Kathy Morris, a versatile and talented instructor from the William Holland Lapidary School:

Enameling on Copper: Sunday & Monday: June 20-21, 9 AM - 6 PM

Workshop fee: $115 (includes all supplies except where noted below).

Come and discover the exciting world of enamels! No special skills are required but a good sense of color helps. This is a busy class - it will teach you the basic techniques of this art. We will be sifting, stenciling and wet packing. The class will also shape and texture the metal and sink wires into the enamel.

Students who bring their own prepared copper pieces to the class will leave the workshop with more finished pieces, but there will also be plenty of time during the workshop to design and create the copper pieces you wish to enamel (NOTE: copper-working will NOT be taught in this class, so prior knowledge of cold connections techniques is mandatory for this enameling workshop!) If you want to prepare your copper ahead of time, please shape, file and get it all ready to enamel.

The class fee will include all enameling supplies but will NOT include any copper that students use to design and create components. Copper will be available for purchase at the time of the class, or you may bring your own.

An example of an enameled copper bracelet, with matching earrings, is shown below:

In addition to enameling, we have a pretty full class schedule over the next few months - take a look at the post immediately below this one to see what's coming up!

Hope to see you soon!

YaYa Beads
109 Shartom Drive
Augusta, GA 30907
706-651-1147
(behind the Washington Road Applebee's)

Update to class schedule

New class schedule:

Wire-Wrapping:

Cabochon Pendant: Sunday, June 27, 1 PM
Class fee: $35 plus supplies

All the fundamentals of wire-wrapping are taught in this class, so it is a great class for beginners, and for those who want to add to their wire-wrapping knowledge. Plus you leave the class with a beautiful wrapped pendant!


Art Clay Silver:


Silver Paste: Saturday, April 17, 10:30 AM
Class fee: $65 (includes all supplies)

Students will make a pendant, component, or earrings using an organic object such as a leaf to provide the basic shape. Bring your own leaf or flower, or use one provided by the instructor.

example of Art Clay Silver Paste on Gingko leaf

Beadwork & Wire-Weaving:


Bead Embroidery: Saturday, June 5 AND Saturday, June 19, 10:30 AM
Workshop fee: $80 plus supplies

This is a brand new class for YaYa Beads! Students will make a beaded cuff, similar to those shown below, in this 2-day workshop. On day 1, students will learn the fundamentals of bead embroidery, and begin their project. In the 2 weeks between class dates, students will be expected to work on their cuff, so they are prepared to learn how to finish the bracelet on the second class date.

Cold Connections: Friday & Saturday, June 18-19, 9 AM - 6 PM
Workshop fee: $135 (includes all supplies)

Kathy Morris returns to YaYa Beads from the William Holland Lapidary School to teach students how to make pendants, earrings, bracelets, and all sorts of jewelry components from copper and brass sheet. This 2-day workshop has become one of our most popular classes!



Enameling on Copper: Sunday & Monday: June 20-21, 9 AM - 6 PM
Workshop fee: $115 (includes all supplies except where noted below)
Expand on your metal-working skills in this brand new 2-day workshop. Kathy Morris will be teaching students to add color to their copper components with enamel, which is powdered glass that must be fused to the metal in a kiln.

Students may bring completed copper pieces to enamel in the class, or may make the copper components in the class (or both; however, copper-working will NOT be taught in this class, so prior knowledge of cold connections techniques is mandatory for this enameling workshop!) Students who bring their own previously-created copper pieces to the class will leave the workshop with more finished pieces, but there will be plenty of time during the workshop to design and create the copper pieces you wish to enamel.

An example of an enameled copper bracelet, with matching earrings, is shown below.


A full class description for the enameling workshop is being developed, and we will post it here as soon as it is available. Students should be aware that the class fee will include all enameling supplies but will NOT include any copper that students use to design and create components. Copper will be available for purchase at the time of the class, or you may bring your own.




Remember to visit us during Master's Week - some reminders about easy access to the shop during the week of Master's are provided at the end of the post immediately below this one.



Clip this coupon and bring it to the shop during Master's for additional savings!

Hope to see you soon!

YaYa Beads
109 Shartom Drive
Augusta GA 30907
706-651-1147
(right behind the Washington Road Applebee's)