Beginner Beadwork Course

Lesson 1 • Reading Patterns and Diagrams

Teaches interpretation of bead graphs, colour keys, and stitch diagrams. Pattern literacy is prerequisite to executing any structured beadwork project.

Lesson 2 • Bead Types and Materials

Identifies seed beads, bugle beads, gemstones, and specialty beads by size, shape, and material. Connects material knowledge to project planning and design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Workspace Setup and Safety

Establishes ergonomic workspace layout and safe handling of small materials. Good habits prevent injury and bead loss throughout all future projects.

Lesson 4 • Essential Tools and Supplies

Covers needles, threads, mats, and storage systems required for beadwork. Proper tool selection directly impacts stitch quality and project longevity.

Lesson 1 • Adding New Thread Mid-Project

Teaches methods for joining new thread without visible knots or weak points. Seamless thread joins are essential for large or complex beadwork pieces.

Lesson 2 • Starting Knots and Stop Beads

Introduces stop beads and anchor knots that secure the first bead in a strand. These techniques establish tension control for all subsequent stitches.

Lesson 3 • Finishing Knots and Thread Ends

Covers half-hitch finishing knots and thread burial techniques for clean closures. Proper finishing prevents loosening and extends the life of completed work.

Lesson 1 • Multi-Strand Designs

Introduces multi-strand construction using separators, spacer bars, and multi-strand clasps. Students learn to balance tension and length across parallel strands.

Lesson 2 • Knotting Between Beads

Covers pearl knotting and overhand knotting between beads for spacing and security. Knotting protects beads and adds professional finish to strung jewellery.

Lesson 3 • Single-Strand Stringing

Teaches bead selection, stringing order, and clasp attachment for simple strands. Single-strand work builds the spatial and tension awareness needed for complex designs.

Lesson 4 • Wire and Memory Wire Stringing

Covers beading wire, crimp beads, and memory wire as alternatives to thread stringing. Wire techniques expand design options and increase durability for heavy beads.

Lesson 1 • Brick Stitch Fundamentals

Covers ladder stitch foundation rows and brick stitch bead addition. Brick stitch creates a woven fabric with a different drape and texture than peyote.

Lesson 2 • Even-Count Flat Peyote Stitch

Teaches the foundational peyote stitch using even bead counts for flat strips. Peyote is the most versatile off-loom stitch and underpins many advanced techniques.

Lesson 3 • Odd-Count Flat Peyote Stitch

Introduces the odd-count turn used when designs require a centred bead column. Odd-count peyote enables symmetrical pattern placement in pictorial beadwork.

Lesson 4 • Combining Flat Stitches

Explores transitioning between peyote, brick, and square stitch within one piece. Combining stitches expands design flexibility and structural problem-solving skills.

Lesson 1 • Right-Angle Weave Basics

Introduces right-angle weave (RAW) as a flexible, open-structure stitch. RAW's four-bead units create a fabric that curves and drapes unlike any other stitch.

Lesson 2 • Cubic Right-Angle Weave

Extends RAW into three-dimensional cubic units for sculptural beadwork. Cubic RAW builds hollow beads, connectors, and structural 3D components.

Lesson 3 • Tubular Brick and Herringbone Stitch

Covers tubular brick stitch and introduces herringbone stitch in tubular form. Herringbone produces a distinctive V-pattern rope with natural diagonal movement.

Lesson 4 • Shaping and Increasing in 3D Work

Teaches increases, decreases, and shaping techniques for sculptural beadwork. Controlled shaping allows students to create organic forms, vessels, and figurative pieces.

Lesson 1 • Basic Loom Weaving

Covers weft thread loading, bead placement under warps, and row-by-row weaving. Consistent bead placement and weft tension produce flat, even loom-woven fabric.

Lesson 2 • Finishing Loom Work

Covers warp thread finishing methods including weaving in, knotting, and backing. Clean finishing transforms raw loom work into polished, durable finished pieces.

Lesson 3 • Loom Types and Setup

Compares roller looms, frame looms, and homemade alternatives for different project scales. Correct loom setup determines warp tension and pattern accuracy throughout weaving.

Lesson 4 • Loom Pattern Design and Execution

Teaches transferring graph patterns onto loom work with accurate colour placement. Pattern execution skills allow students to reproduce complex pictorial and geometric designs.

Lesson 1 • Embellishing Beaded Surfaces

Covers adding surface beads, crystals, and drops onto completed beadwork structures. Surface embellishment creates texture, sparkle, and focal interest in finished pieces.

Lesson 2 • Bead Embroidery on Fabric

Introduces couching, backstitch, and scatter stitch for sewing beads onto fabric. Bead embroidery expands beadwork into textile arts, fashion, and mixed-media applications.

Lesson 3 • Edging and Picot Techniques

Teaches peyote edging, picot edging, and brick stitch edging for clean borders. Edging unifies beadwork panels and adds structural stability to outer edges.

Lesson 4 • Bezel Setting for Cabochons

Teaches peyote and RAW bezels to capture and frame cabochon stones. Bezel setting integrates gemstones into beadwork as professional focal elements.

Lesson 1 • Developing Original Bead Patterns

Covers sketching, graphing, and digitising original bead designs from concept to pattern. Original pattern creation is the bridge between technical skill and artistic expression.

Lesson 2 • Building a Cohesive Collection

Guides students in designing a series of related pieces with unified aesthetic themes. Collection thinking develops professional design identity and portfolio-level creative output.

Lesson 3 • Colour Theory for Beadwork

Applies colour wheel principles, value contrast, and finish types to bead selection. Strategic colour use creates depth, movement, and visual impact in complex designs.

Lesson 4 • Structural Planning for Complex Pieces

Teaches component planning, assembly sequencing, and structural reinforcement for large works. Structural planning prevents design failures and ensures wearability and durability.