WANT TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE A BETTER BEAD… GUARANTEED?
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE the return of
our most popular ONLINE WORKSHOP
MAY 3 - JUNE 2, 2024
WELCOME WEEKEND MAY 3-5
4-WEEK COURSE CURRICULUM MAY 6 - JUNE 2
BUILDING BETTER BEADS
TUITION $225 (CAN$)
APPROX $165 (US$)
REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 24
COMPLETE THIS FORM TO BE FIRST IN LINE…
ARE YOU READY FOR ‘BETTER’?
Building Better Beads is a practical project-based workshop featuring my original approach to bead design, fabrication, and finishing, charting a linear path that begins with a decorative veneer of your choice and ends with a well-finished one-of-a-kind wearable piece.
Originally offered in June 2018 as a complement to our very first online MasterClass, Single Slice Mokume, many students who had taken that course saw Building Better Beads as an ideal opportunity to pick their favourite slices and bring them into the BBB ‘construction zone.’
Since then, we’ve gone on to offer other decorative veneer courses – Matrix Canes, Blurred Lines, MilleKume, and Five Star Colour –and more than ever Building Better Beads answers the question “What do I do with all these veneers?”
Even if you’ve never taken a veneer course with us, you can start with any patterned veneer of your choice (canework, mokume gane, Skinner blends…) and turn it into a wearable work of art. The project-based curriculum will guide you every step of the way, from framing and forming your favourite veneer to crossing that well-finished finish line. And with unlimited access to all the lessons for four full weeks in our online classroom, you may find yourself building more than one better bead…
Building Better Beads is our most in-demand online offering, and even though we usually only host it once a year, hundreds of graduates have come through this course with a one-of-a-kind bead that’s better than any they’ve made before.
How about you? Are you ready for ‘Better’?
We hope you’ll join us for the next session, sure to be the better-est BBB yet!
BUILDING BETTER BEADS 2024
THIS ONLINE COURSE EVENT RUNS
FRI.MAY.3 - SUN.JUN.2, 2024
REGISTRATION OPENS ON WED.APR.24
BUT ONLY FOR 3 DAYS… MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
THIS COURSE LIKELY WON’T BE BACK UNTIL 2025
A BEAUTIFUL VENEER IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Building Better Beads is open to anyone, no matter what your level of experience with polymer clay. As long as you have a decorative veneer looking for a chance to become a better bead, there’s a front row seat waiting for you in our online classroom.
As you scroll down through this page, you’ll see all kinds of decorative techniques that our previous students chose to showcase in their in-class projects.
Here are some recent favourites from the BBB Class of ‘23…
“If you are looking for a comprehensive, inspirational online class that provides you with a professional format from A-Z, look no further! BBB takes you through, step by step to construct and finish a ‘draped’ professionally finished bead using your own veneer. Soak up the 30+ years of experience that is ‘team Dan and Tracy’! Thank you both!
”
Alison Specht : United Kingdom
Linda Wentink : USA
“I loved ‘Matrix Canes’ and I loved this class too. I will certainly take more classes from Dan and Tracy! I really appreciate how well-organized and comprehensive they are, and useful too!”
“This is my first class with Dan and Tracy and certainly won’t be my last. I have learned a lot, not only about techniques, but about patience, taking time to do it well from the start. Sometimes I am so excited and anxious to finish something, I don’t take the care I should during the process. Finishing from the start can apply to anything we do, and want to do well. Thank you for the great lessons!”
Kathy Fehn : USA
Patricia Onorato : USA
“I feel inspired and energized by this wonderful course! I’ve benefitted from being able to work at my own pace with detailed written instructions and informative videos plus valuable thoughts, advice, and support shared by Dan and fellow participants. I’ve learned a lot in four weeks and my head is bursting with ideas for future work!”
“I am amazed at how much I learned and the clarity of the instruction notes and videos. I have learned more in the last couple of weeks than the past year of playing around on my own. Finally, I see a way to make art that is uniquely my own, using the lessons learned in your class. Bravo to you and all the other fine artists in this class!”
Debra Strange : USA
No matter what your pattern preference, from an elegantly simple Skinner Blend to a complex composite of related techniques, just about any veneer will do. Building Better Beads is a course about giving those veneers their best finish, following a curriculum that features both studio fundamentals and innovative approaches to design, construction, and finishing, for artists who want to take their craftsmanship to the next level.
GOOD DESERVES BETTER
In its relatively short history as a craft medium, polymer clay has established itself as one of the most versatile. Borrowing from the traditions of other media and also evolving on its own, the diversity of decorative pattern possibilities is undeniably vast.
There’s a lot of beautiful decorative polymer clay work out there, but I believe there’s not enough work that holds up as well-crafted and well-finished. What is it they say? Good from afar, but far from good? No matter how crisp the canework, how smooth the Skinner, how dynamic the mokume, how mesmerizing the mica shift… a closer look at a finished piece can all-too-often reveal something compromising: a crack, a bubble, a fingerprint, an unsealed seam, an unfinished edge, a neglected backside. All this is not for lack of will. It’s often because the fundamental basics of technique in form, fabrication, and finish have been overlooked and undertaught.
In this online course, I hope to change that.
BETTER THAN THE REST
As magical as some of our favourite decorative techniques can seem in this always evolving medium, beautifully finished work doesn’t happen by magic. Seeing something through to a finely crafted piece requires knowledge and effort. But a beautifully crafted object is worth the effort.
In a medium that is so accessible, it’s not hard to be good. But good craftsmanship can make the difference between good and better, and better crafted, better finished work will make your work stand out.
Building Better Beads will focus on my ‘Draped Bead’ techniques, an original approach that I've been using in my work for almost 30 years. By completing your class project of building at least one bead, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to build more. Scroll through some of my work here, favourite forms on their own or in more complex collections, and see how a single set of skills can be applied to beads of all shapes and sizes . . .
BETTER LEADS TO BEST
By Building Better Beads, I promise, you’ll be building your skills, building your confidence, and building a better body of work… towards not just being a better artist, but the best artist you can be.
Here are some further details about this workshop, including FAQs (answered), curriculum highlights (highlighted), and more from our Graduate’s Gallery of finished work and memorable moments from some of the hundreds of students who have already turned their favourite flat sheets in finely finished forms, BBB-style. . . .
Jaishree Choudhary : INDIA
Colleen Manestar : CANADA
Kristin Halvorsen : NORWAY
“Dan and Tracy this course was incredible. As a complete newbie I was amazed that I managed to complete a well finished bead. The instructions - written and video - were clear. All along the way I was surprised in the results. I feel like I’ve skipped through a few decades of fumbling and experimentation to get a very solid foundation. Thank you both for such an excellent course.”
Caroline Alderman : USA
Altanchimeg Altankhuyag : Norway
Christy Reveles : USA
“I feel very grateful and privileged to have the opportunity to learn from artists I truly respect. Thank you again, Dan and Tracy for a world class learning experience. I’ll be shaking my head in amazement for a while yet, I think.”
WHAT WILL THE COURSE COVER?
In what could be described as making a hole and then building a bead around it, I'll guide you through a step-by-step series of WORKPHASE LESSONS, revealing all my secrets for making sleek Draped Beads, no drilling required.
These lessons will include:
cutting & using Shape Templates (a collection of downloadable Shape Templates will be included in your tuition)
design tips for framing your patterned veneer
cutting & connecting composite veneers
clay & colour considerations to enhance your design
multi-phase construction techniques
shaping & bezelling
baking tips & techniques
strategies for efficient and effective sanding & buffing
With attention to detail and mindfully mastering each WorkPhase along the way, you will be able to turn a decorative veneer of your choice into a showcase signature bead… or maybe even a full collection.
“Thank you, Dan and Tracy for this great class. The material was so well presented, with great videos and accompanying text. I learned so much! It’s breathtaking how good your online classes are.
”
Eckhard Sutorius : SCOTLAND
WILL YOU BE TEACHING ANY OF YOUR SIGNATURE PATTERN-MAKING TECHNIQUES?
Nope. Not here.
BBB is BYOV… Bring Your Own Veneer.
There is something infinitely captivating about the open-ended exploration of decorative techniques, like the ones I’ve developed and shared in Single Sliced Mokume, Matrix Canes, Blurred Lines, MilleKume, and Five Star Colour (not to mention the many other more ubiquitous ways there are to turn solid blocks of polymer clay into colourful and captivating flat patterns).
But Building Better Beads is not a course about how to make decorative veneers.
As the name suggests, this is a bead-building workshop, and the most important must-have on your list of school supplies will be a decorative veneer you already have, or a veneer you choose to make with BBB in mind using techniques you already know.
To facilitate learning, there will be structure to our construction curriculum and a certain ‘sameness’ to everyone’s projects. But seeing the diversity of design that students have brought in to the BBB classroom (representing more than 40 different countries and also showing what is possible no matter how experienced a student may be), that is one of the coolest consequences of this approach. So, Bring Your Own Veneer, and I’ll show you a better way to build it into a bead.
And BTW, while BBB’s ‘Draped Bead’ will be our means to an end, this course could just as easily be titled Building Better Brooches, Bangles, Baubles, or Bowls, as many of the skills and strategies featured are applicable to creating and finishing other objects.
“‘Building Better Beads’ is not just technical, it’s philosophical! Thinking the bead from the beginning. Thanks again for making me think, and to create with clearer intentions from the beginning!
”
Bridget Downey : USA
Kathy Hepburn : USA
Chris Bergman : USA
Marcia Rubin : USA
Claire Taylor : USA
Núria Puig : SPAIN
“‘Building Better Beads’ was amazingly fun, and full of so much wise, helpful knowledge which Dan and Tracy have garnered through years of craftsmanship and excellence. Their virtual classroom is a treasure. Sign on for ANY class they offer... I plan to.”
HOW LONG IS THE COURSE?
Depending on your experience and skill level, you should be able to complete a Better Built Bead project in a well-focussed weekend. But the online classroom will be open 24/7 for a full four weeks, allowing you to plan your studio time as it suits your schedule and work at a mindful and intentional pace. You can fly solo and work through the lessons on your own, or jump in and benefit from the shared experience and peer-to-peer support of our global classroom community.
Our time together will begin with a Welcome Weekend, a chance for everyone to get settled in, meet their fellow students, and get their workspace ready with a review of tools, materials, and clay.
After that, the complete course curriculum will be accessible, and will remain accessible to you until the classroom closes on Sunday, June 2.
Here’s an overview of the BBB curriculum…
BUILDING
Good crafstmanship takes time, focus, and intention.
The building phase of your bead begins here, with each step carefully introduced and explained in detail through recorded demo videos and lesson notes, so that you can implement each workphase in a mindful and cumulative way:
DESIGN CHOICES
THE DECORATIVE FRONT
THE HOLE
THE SUBSTRATE
THE BEZEL
BETTER
We adhere to a philosophy of ‘finishing right from the start.’
But there’s still a lot to focus on when the building and baking is done, and we shift into finishing with finesse:
2-STEP SANDING
SPONGE FINISHING
BUFFING
BEADS
The satisfaction of completing a well-made bead might just be enough to make you want to make another bead…
In a series of ‘beyond the bead’ bonus lessons, we’ll present some other ways to get from idea to object, including:
COMPOSITE VENEERS
A SMALLER HOLE
A SLIMMER SUBSTRATE
A CONTOURED BEZEL
A SOFTER FINISH
We’ll even show you how to deal with unexpected challenges, and turn them into design opportunities.
“This course was an incredible journey into “polymer clay awareness.” After every single step, I felt more confident and more conscious of the whole building process. I’m enriched as an artisan and polymer lover. Thanks Dan + Tracy!”
Chris Hellström : SWEDEN
Jeanette Kandray : USA
Maria S Casey : USA
“I have been “claying around” for over 15 years and have taken a few courses, read many books regarding polymer clay and watched countless online tutorials and perused blogs. I have to say that Dan’s BBB class has taught me a lot. His methods are unique and extremely precise and he shares those techniques with his students with the goal that we grow as artists and produce the best work we are capable of doing. I am proud to be a graduate of the BBB course, class of 2019, and look forward to taking more courses with Dan and Tracy in the very near future.”
BUILDING BETTER BEADS 2024
THIS ONLINE COURSE EVENT RUNS
FRI.MAY.3 - SUN.JUN.2, 2024
BUILDING BETTER BEADS
TUITION $225 (CAN$)
APPROX $165 (US$)
REGISTRATION OPENS ON WED.APR.24
BUT ONLY FOR 3 DAYS…
don’t miss your chance to be part of the BBB class of ‘24!
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON FRI.APR.26
I’M A BEGINNER. IS THIS COURSE FOR ME?
Beginners are welcome.
If you have basic skills with this medium, a 'feel' for the clay, and you have the basic tools to go with that, that's a great start. I’m going to be covering the rest.
And even if you’re not a beginner to bead-building, there’s always room to refine your skillset and up your game.
Sharing the experience with others, no matter where you are in your journey, there’s always something new to learn. That’s part of what makes our classroom community so dynamic.
“I’m so glad I signed up for BBB the second time. The refresher really helped implant the process into my brain. I love seeing how everyone is doing, and the amazing different veneers. I also really appreciate when Dan shows us how he fixes the inevitable problems and/or mistakes that can happen! I would absolutely recommend all of Dan and Tracy’s classes to anyone who is interested in making high quality, well-crafted polymer clay items.”
Karan Kerber : CANADA
Corinne Flannery : USA
Janette Woitynek : GERMANY
“Thanks Dan and Tracy for another terrific class. I’ve taken my share of in person workshops, which I have enjoyed very much, but the content here was superb—Dan’s artistry together with the highly detailed text and videos was the perfect combination... almost like being there!”
WILL I NEED ANY SPECIAL TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, OR MATERIALS?
Other than the basic tools and materials found in a typical polymer clay studio, and the downloadable extras you will be getting as part of your tuition, you won’t need anything special.
A complete Tools & Materials List lesson will be waiting for you in the classroom as part of the Registration process. This list will also include recommended amounts of clay (don’t worry… aside from a chosen veneer or two, it’s not much!). And we’ll be reviewing all the tools and materials together as part of our orientation once the classroom opens.
“Through easy-to-follow videos and detailed written explanations, this class provided everything that was needed to succeed. The online class format was great as I could work at my own pace in my own studio, and I could replay videos and reread lessons multiple times until I really got it. I learned a tremendous amount in this class, and I am thrilled with how far my work has come because of it. Prior to this class, I knew very little about construction and finishing. After completing this class, I feel that I have the wings I need to make my work soar.”
Eileen La Russo : USA
Stephen Bender : USA
Sarah Dreyer : NEW ZEALAND
“A huge thank you to Dan & Tracy. I appreciate how much preparation, work and effort has gone into this. I especially like the fact that you are so available to give feedback and answer every question. Great job!!”
Suzan Teman : ISRAEL
Penny Stern : ISRAEL
Debora Esteves : USA
“I am overjoyed that I signed up for this course. It was a huge step for me as I’m a relative beginner to polymer clay, and I was worried that I may be in over my head. However, the clear written instructions and expert videos helped me take each stage with ease. It was a totally wonderful experience. Thank you.”
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I REGISTER?
Your tuition payment will be processed through PayPal. Once we receive notification, we will confirm you on our mailing list, and send you an email confirming your place on our class roster. Registration can be busy, so please allow a minimum of 48 hours for this confirmation.
You will also be asked for a shipping address during the payment process. We won’t be shipping any Materials for this workshop, but we use your address as a general reference to know where you are in the world, so we can be as sensitive as possible to the different time zones of our students and celebrate the diversity of our global group.
Once you're confirmed, we'll continue to be in touch as needed as the course draws nearer, with any additional details to get you ready. Watch for an email invitation when our Welcome Weekend begins on Friday, May 3, 2024.
Rian Schreuder : NETHERLANDS
Jennifer Khamla : FRANCE
Gail Garbe : CANADA
“Dan and Tracy leave nothing to chance. The procedures are logical and detailed and the results are stunning.
Can’t wait for the next class!”
Jan Munyon : USA
Katarzyna Stefaniak : POLAND
Vanda Agnoletti : ITALY
“Thank you Dan and Tracy, once again an amazing course. The way you have sequenced the elements has made the possibility of creating a polished and professional bead a reality. The videos and text have catered to a variety of learning styles and the beautiful community of clayers given a platform to connect, share, and support one another has enriched the learning and online experience. Your responses to questions, and reassuring comments has provided feedback needed for learning, and the music that accompanies the videos has been wonderful. Your generosity in sharing your secrets and making courses like this available is amazing. I would thoroughly recommend this course (and your others) to anyone.”
Reina Drake : USA
Rebecca Edwards : AUSTRALIA
Phil Porter : USA
“I would highly recommend this course for those who want a good push in the direction of craft and technique. The online format provides an excellent balance between the presentation of material (parceled out over the course of a few weeks) and the freedom to work at one’s own speed. Because the focus was primarily on creating one bead, I was then able to take the time I had to try this same general technique over again to hone the skills that Dan was presenting. The videos and writing are all very clear and concise—impeccable even. Dan and Tracy are both supportive and encouraging in their responses and feedback. This is the second class I have taken (both in just the last few months) and I will look forward to the next one!”
WHAT IF I REGISTER... AND THEN I CHANGE MY MIND?
Despite the Registration deadline, we do encourage everyone to make their decision thoughtfully. But we also understand that sometimes changes are necessary, and we will be happy to consider any refund requests with you one-on-one.
If you need to cancel your registration before the workshop begins, you may be eligible for a full refund.
Once the course has started, our basic policy is that you will not be eligible for a refund. However, we are prepared to make exceptions in extenuating circumstances, and in our previous courses, that's exactly what we've done, offering full or partial refunds, or issuing credits towards future courses. Each situation is different and nothing is intended to be precedent-setting, but we are always willing to work with anyone towards a positive resolution that is as fair as possible to the student, to us, and to the other students enrolled in the course.
“Thank you so much Dan & Tracy for a great class. You’ve done an excellent job presenting the material in an accessible and professional format. I have taken a variety of online courses, and yours is world class!”
Michelle Sansonetti : AUSTRALIA
Emma Lavery : UNITED KINGDOM
Isabel Cruz : PORTUGAL
“Thank you so much Dan & Tracy for an amazing workshop... Initially I was hesitant about signing up for this course, as I wasn’t that “into” making beads, but I’m so glad I did. The knowledge and techniques that I’ve gained have so many other applications that my mind is simply buzzing with ideas...
”
Cynthia Potts : USA
Elisabeth Thielsen : GERMANY
Marilyn Lindsley : USA
“Dan, I’m a life-long artist… career in design, portrait painter, and jewelry designer, so I can usually figure out how to do artistic things. I decided to try polymer clay 6 months ago and have a container full of disappointing results. I came across your course and couldn’t be more pleased. Following your attention to detail and methods have made all the difference in my results. You are a master!”
HOW WILL THE COURSE BE DELIVERED?
The curriculum content will be a mix of recorded video demos, posted written instructions, downloadable templates, and other resources. We will post the entire curriculum on Monday, May 6. Nothing will be presented live, so you can watch, read, and review each lesson at your own pace within our 4-week online event window.
The lessons will remain fully accessible 24/7 within our virtual classroom for the remaining duration of the workshop, until the classroom closes on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
A Comments area within each lesson will provide a place to ask questions, post pictures of your work in progress, get feedback, and benefit from community learning. Mix that with the focus and feel of one-on-one teaching and self-paced learning, as you work through your project in the best classroom of all: your own studio.
“I thoroughly enjoyed this class. I loved every step of my journey, and when I showed one of my completed beads to an artist friend who makes jewelry, she immediately told me that she would buy whatever I made! Thanks so much for making me slow down and concentrate on each step - that has been a very important lesson for me. I look forward to the next course, whatever it may be.
”
Alexandra Pemberton : USA
Francesca Gorrini : AUSTRALIA
“Thank you, Dan and Tracy, for this wonderful class! I had fun taking it again, both knowing what was coming in the videos and discovering little bits I missed or didn’t remember from the first time. I love that the main principles from this class - finishing from the start and turning an oops into a design feature - are applicable well beyond polymer work. I’m already looking forward to the next class with you. See you soon!”
“These 4 weeks have just flown by. It was a pleasure to have met so many talented students from around the world. What an amazing adventure! Dan & Tracy..... you are the stars and I would like to congratulate you on your generosity, kindness, patience and fabulous course lessons. Looking forward to the next class. I hope that some of your innovation and talent might rub off on me.”
WILL THE CONTENT BE ACCESSIBLE AFTER THE classroom CLOSES?
No.
In registering for Building Better Beads, you are registering for a real-time, beginning-to-end, project-driven workshop.
You are not purchasing a downloadable library of videos, a collection of PDF tutorials, a digital ebook, or any other curriculum content to own for reference 'later.' But having a built-in deadline will help you focus on actually doing this course. The learning is in the doing, and nowhere is that more true than with the process and practice of craftsmanship.
This internet-accessible course is designed to be experienced as an event, just like an in-person workshop, but lasting longer than workshops typically last (four full weeks to learn the steps and complete your project instead of one single weekend), and, via your own web connection, you'll always have a front row seat.
Unlike an in-person workshop, you'll be able to access the virtual classroom 24/7, without ever having to leave your own studio. You can focus in and work on your own, or share your experience, progress, and perspective with fellow students via Comments within each lesson. And teacher support will always be available, via feedback within the classroom, or via email.
Pamela Takeshige : JAPAN
“This has been a terrific learning experience! I have learned so many things about making beads, most importantly, striving for excellence. My understanding of polymer clay has expanded so greatly, and I believe that Dan’s stand on excellence is the, THE, most important thing he has taught. I hope I can even come close. Dan and Tracy, I just love your teaching method, which is so clear and easy to follow and understand!! And on top of that, fun! Thank you so much.”
“I’ve been a polymer clay artist for almost 20 years and had decided several years ago to not attend any more workshops. Because I am experienced with this medium, I really didn’t think there was much else out there for me to learn. Boy was I wrong! This class taught me to slow down and take my time and pay great attention to each step - no shortcuts! Thanks so much for helping me Build Better Beads!”
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
I’m Dan, and I’ll be your teacher and guide through Building Better Beads. Together we’ll explore a curriculum meticulously created for adventurous artists of all kinds, whether new to polymer clay or with years of experience.
I’ve immersed myself in polymer clay for almost three decades. In my early days, in the ‘90s, I made millefiori beads and sold them from a custom built vendor’s cart in the streets of my hometown, Montreal, Canada. As my skills improved, I began to sell my work at craft shows and galleries. Since then, my work has been acquired by a number of museum collections. One of my pieces, my Astronaut Inro, is currently on loan to the Tellus Science Museum in Georgia, USA as part of the ‘Out Of This World’ jewelry exhibition. No kidding. My career is proof that passion and dedication can take you places you never thought possible.
Parallel to my growth as a jewelry artist has been my development as a teacher. Starting with beadmaking sessions at children’s parties and small workshops at a craft store in Montreal in 1993, sharing my polymer journey and insights has always been an important part of what I do. Later, with my partner Tracy Holmes, I began to take teaching more seriously, and like the vessel construction class that we first taught at the first Ravensdale Polymer Clay Conference in 1996, teaching has been ‘a perfect fit’ for both of us ever since.
As a self-taught polymer clay artist, I’ve developed a series of workshops featuring the techniques that I’ve nurtured over time. Teaching these classes took me to locations around the world, and each engagement gave me the chance to hone my techniques and teaching methods even further. Everything that I’ve learned through my own ‘trial and error’ approach to creating, along with all the experience gleaned through two decades of teaching in-person workshops internationally, is now being brought to you, into your home studio, via my series of online workshops. So, no matter where you are in your polymer journey, it’s possible that I’ve been there too, and I can help you get to where you want to go next.
Building Better Beads is a great place to start and we invite you to join us for this course all about form and finish, and taking your work to the next level. With new content shared every week, each lesson builds upon the previous one, taking you on a journey into greater complexity. Developing good work habits, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, is always an important part of my teaching philosophy and methods, and it’s a key part of this course.
REAL TIME, REAL LEARNING
My vision for teaching has always been to provide not just information, but transformation. I have been working with polymer clay for 30 years, and as much as I have to share as a teacher, as a student in this workshop, your participation is encouraged and expected.
By following the WorkPhases and implementing the lessons along the way in your own class project, I promise, you will Build a Better Bead (you may even have time to build a second bead before the course is over). First-class work habits become second nature, and you will develop ways to improve and refine your craftsmanship overall, with new techniques and skills that will last a lifetime.
“This workshop has been wonderful in many ways! The instructional writing and videos have fully explained each phase in the process of Building Better Beads. The pace has been very carefully considered and flowed beautifully. The encouragement of Dan and Tracy in their responses to individual comments was nurturing and inspirational. I learnt and was continually surprised by the importance of focusing on the details of each step. The collegiate atmosphere of sharing and communicating by participants from all over the world offered fantastic support. I feel a genuine fondness for Dan and Tracy and will continue following their work and teaching with eager anticipation.”
Sue Shrubb : AUSTRALIA
WILL THIS COURSE BE OFFERED AGAIN?
Polymer clay is such a versatile medium that there never seems to be a shortage of decorative veneer techniques being explored and adapted. But many artists I know have more ‘work in progress’ than finished work, and BBB is a great chance to take one of your best veneers and make it Better.
It’s always exciting to see what students bring into the classroom for their bead projects, and the resulting graduation class showcase has been amazing each time we’ve offered this course before. That said, it will likely be at least a year before Building Better Beads returns on our course calendar.
We'd love to have you join us this time around!
TURN FLAT VENEERS LIKE THESE...
INTO FINISHED BEADS LIKE THESE...
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Give your favourite decorative veneers the focus they deserve. Expand your repertoire with this info-intense but accessible workshop to turn flat into form, and then finish… with finesse.
BUILDING BETTER BEADS 2024
THIS ONLINE COURSE EVENT RUNS
FRI.MAY.3 - SUN.JUN.2, 2024
BUILDING BETTER BEADS
TUITION $225 (CAN$)
APPROX $165 (US$)
REGISTRATION OPENS ON WED.APR.24
BOOKMARK THIS PAGE TO BE FIRST IN LINE FOR BBB 2024
(SO YOU WON’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 2025…)
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON FRI.APR.26
KEEPING IN TOUCH…
We’ll be using our mailing list to communicate with you during the course, notify you when there's new content posted in the classroom, share any news or resources relevant to the course, and contact you in the event of any unexpected technical difficulties.
It's also how we'll keep in touch with you after the course to follow up with any post-course info, including curriculum updates and special 'alumni' announcements and offers.
If you're not already on our mailing list, you will be added as part of your registration process. Mailing list membership is mandatory for all registered students.
WANT A SNEAK PEEK AT THE BBB CLASSROOM?
Building Better Beads is one of nine original online courses we’ve taught so far in our HoCo! academy since January 2018.
Online courses aren’t new to us. But they may be new to you.
If you would like to see what it’s like inside our Building Better Beads online classroom, we invite you to check out our BBB ‘Free+Preview’ FreeView, created to give you a portal peek at how we host our virtual learning experiences.
Pulled right from the Building Better Beads curriculum, this BBB FreeView lesson is a self-contained tutorial on ‘Drilling and Filling,’ showing how easy it can be to connect the dots and turn an accident 😧 into an asset ☺️.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR BUILDING BETTER BEADS FREEVIEW
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
If you have any other questions at all about this upcoming workshop, we'd love to hear from you!
Please contact us and we'll reply via email and/or share your Q and our A right here on this webpage.