UK Beaders

Lessons, classes and courses across the UK

Here you will find an ever expanding list of lessons, classes and courses across the UK listed by county so you can find something in your area.

  • General beading, seed beading stitches/techniques, metalsmithing, enameling, wire working, chainmaille, lampworking, fusing glass, making tiaras,  working with precious metal clay (PMC), Polymer clay techniques, and other techniques!
  • Run by individual tutors, bead shops, beading groups/associations or schools/colleges/universities.
  • 1 to 1 lessons and group tuition
  • Suitable, for beginner, intermediate and advanced students.

Getting your listing added

If you run classes or courses, or offer tuition and would like to be listed please email me at ukbeaders@googlemail.com with the following details as per the listings below:

Name of person/company/organisation running class/lesson.
Address - Full address if shop or public building, City and county if private.
Telephone number or website address - You must give one or the other, you can also add an email address, but I can't allow just an email address for safety reasons.
Any additional info people will need to know such as type of lesson/class/course/tuition, level (beginner intermediate, advanced), frequency, day of the week, group size etc.
Please note unfortunately we are unable to list beading parties for adults or children. One off events or specific dates, or prices in listings. But you may join our forum and use our classes, lessons & workshops board where appropriate.


England

Avon
Shiney Rocks
5 Saville Row, Bath, Avon, BA1 2QP and 4.11 - 4.12 Paintworks, Bath Road, Brislington, Bristol BS4 3EH
Telephone: 0117 300 9800 Website: www.shineyrocks.co.uk
You will find a wide range of jewellery making workshops for all levels held at both of Shiney Rocks locations.

Buckinghamshire
Pauline Holt, Jazzy Lily
Middle House, 34 Grecian Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP20 1LT
Telephone: 01296 437406 Website: www.jazzylily.com Email: pauline@jazzylily.com
Beginners classes in glass beadmaking. I have 10 year experience of making beads. My studio can take two students so you get personal attention with lots of useful hints tips and advice, as well as all the beadmaking techniques. An excellent hot lunch is provided.

Cheshire
Fired Silver
Classes held in Nether Alderley, Cheshire
Telephone: 07912 250728 Website: www.firedsilver.co.uk Email: classes@firedsilver.co.uk
Level 1 and 2 certified tutor running a regular program of PMC workshops to suit both beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. Classes are kept to a maximum of 8 people so that everyone gets as much individual attention/time as possible. Private group bookings or one-to-one tuition is also available. For information please email or telephone.

Kirsty Thomason, Moondust Jewellery
Group sessions held in a studio in the heart of cheshire.
Website: www.moondustjewellery.co.uk Telephone: 01270 526014 or 07951 032053 Email: moondustjewellery@btinternet.com
Kirsty is a level 2 certified art clay instructor and offers beginers classes, intermediate and advanced. These classes include, ring making, lentil bead making, level 1 and level 2 certification, art clay and glass, art clay and image transfer and art clay and resin. 1 to 1 tuition is available, Kirsty is willing to travel to other locations for group lessons by arrangement.

Lesley Howard, PMC Designs
Workshops held in Chester, Cheshire.
Website: www.pmcdesigns.co.uk Email: lesley@pmcdesigns.co.uk Telephone: 07939 476198
Beginners workshops in precious metal clay held on a regular basis. Full day workshops; max 5 people per workshop. Use of all tools. Light lunch and refreshments included. Themed workshops for beginners include Art Deco style.One to One tuition available on request. Classes also available in photographing beads or jewellery for beginners.

Cornwall


Spectrum Jewellery
Tinage-Tar, Bude, Cornwall
Website: www.spectrumjewellery.co.uk
Lessons available for begginer and internmediate beaders. Projects include jewellery sets, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings etc.

Derbyshire
In The Studio
59 High Street, Kegworth, Derbyshire DE74 2DA
Website: www.inthestudio.co.uk
Runs residential and non-residential short courses for the complete beginner to the professional jeweller from the studio in Kegworth. Courses include making, engraving, enamelling, casting, wire wrapping, stone setting and more.

The Dragonfly Company
Stocks Cottage, The Market Place, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK23 0EN
Telephone: 07971 539961 Website: www.thedragonflycompany.com Email: contact@thedragonflycompany.com
The Dragonfly Company offers a wide variety of chainmaille workshops featuring an extensive range of chain maille weaves. You will find workshops suitable for all levels to enjoy.

Dorset
The Tiara School
The Tower, 8b South Way, Southwell Business Park, Portland, Dorset, DT5 2NL
Website: www.thetiaraschool.com
The tiara school is based on the Isle of Portland in Dorset and offers a wide range of courses in tiara and crown making, as well as basic bead jewellery and beaded flowers.

SilverClay
14 West Street, Corfe Castle, Dorset, BH20 5HD
Telephone: 01929 477 137 Website: www.silverclay.co.uk Email: info@silverclay.co.uk
SilverClay runs small and friendly courses in metal clay and jewellery making, ranging from basic Art Clay Introductory Courses for the complete beginner, to advanced four-day Art Clay Instructor Certification Courses. We also hold specialised courses focusing on different topics like Ring Making, Combining Glass and Art Clay, Enamelling on Metal Clay and Resin and Art Clay. SilverClay is a official UK Art Clay distributor, our direct contact with the manufacturers ensure we stay up to date with what is happening in the metal clay market. Most courses are held by Petra Wennberg, an Art Clay Senior Instructor. Petra has been teaching metal clay full time since 2004.


Stitchncraft beads
The Studio, Chaldicott Barns, Tokes Lane, Semley, SP7 9AW
Telephone: 01747 830666 Website: www.stitchncraft.co.uk Email: enquiries@stitchncraft.co.uk
Full onsite workshop programme run throughout the year by qualified tutors. From the 1st August 2009 these will be held at our new Studio in the heart of the countryside on the Dorset/Wiltshire border offering extensive parking in an idyllic rural setting. Full workshop details available at http://www.stitchncraft.co.uk/acatalog/Workshops.html

Name  Liz Guilmant-Cush
Wimborne, Dorset
Telephone: 07842 133359 Website: www.liz.guilmant-cush.com Email: lizguilmantcushjewellery@googlemail.com
Lampwork glass beads for beginners.  A workshop for up to two people,  working at your speed. Covers basic forming, shaping and decoration techniques to make glass beads from Murano glass.  10 - 2.30pm, weekdays and some saturdays, subject to booking.  Come and discover the exciting and addictive art of lampworking.  Local workshops also held for larger groups at alternate locations. See website for more details.


Essex

Deborah Beads
The Barn, Donyland Farm, Fingringhoe Road, Colchester, Essex. CO57JL
Website: www.deborahbeads.co.uk Email: info@deborahbeads.co.uk Telephone: 07817582904
Lessons are held at the barn for beginners, advanced, and parties of all ages. We will also be offering tiara making lessons.

Hampshire
Joanne Tinley, Daisychain Designs
Southampton, Hampshire
Website: www.daisychainjewellery.co.uk Telephone: 07881 822752 Email: info@daisychainjewellery.co.uk
Daisychain Designs has been running jewellery workshops since 2002. Workshop topics include bead and wire, polymer clay and macramé jewellery. I cater for all abilities, and with only 8 places per workshop you are guaranteed personal attention. Workshops are held approximately once a month, usually on a Saturday. Workshop parties in the comfort of your own home and sessions for youth groups etc are also available.

Koru Glass Designs, Jan Simpson
Medstead, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 5JF Website (online shop only) www.koruglassdesigns.com Course enquiries: Telephone: 01420 560046 Email: www.koruglassdesigns@yahoo.co.uk
Introduction to fused glass courses to include jewellery and platemaking. Daily courses, arranged by appointment, maximum 4 participants. Courses held on weekends or during the week. All materials, tools and equipment supplied along with fantastic home made lunch and refreshments. A great fun and inspiring day out. Thursday evenings - open studio time, anyone who has taken a course with us or who can show that they have experience can rent studio time and use of equipment. Overnight accommodation can be arranged at local Bed and Breakfast.

Herefordshire
Exemplar Glass - Jane Ballard
The Old Greyhound Coach House, Rainbow Street, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8DQ
Website: www.exemplar-glass.co.uk Telephone: 01568 620098 Email: mail@exemplar-glass.co.uk
Courses in stained glass, fused glass, lampwork bead making, mosaics, enamelling and wire jewellery making. Also occasional international teachers. Most courses are on weekends, year-round, for one or two days, maximum 5 participants. All regular courses are suitable for beginners. Private tuition, closed groups and evenings by arrangement. Tuesday evenings are usually open studio time, anyone who has taken a course with us or who can show that they have experience can rent studio time and use of equipment.

Lancashire
Bebeady - Samantha Taylor
Cedar Farm, Mawdesley, also at other Lancashire locations and at adult education colleges.
Website: www.bebeady.co.uk Telephone: 07962 200038 Email: samantha@bebeady.co.uk
Regular 1-day jewellery making classes held at Cedar Farm, Mawdesley, also at other Lancashire locations and at adult education colleges. A large range of different types of jewellery making is on offer. Jewellery making using tigertail thread, cord, leather, ribbon, elastic and wire jewellery making classes from beginner to intermediate level.

Norfolk

Sue Heaser Workshops
Wortham, Nr Diss, Norfolk/ Suffolk border
Telephone: 01379 898479 Website: www.sueheaser.com Email: workshops@sueheaser.com
Sue Heaser teaches polymer clay and metal clay jewellery workshops suitable for all abilities, held regularly throughout the year. Also glass fusing, silver bead making and ring making. Workshops are held in Sue's studio on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Small friendly groups with lots of encouragment. Sue is an international author and teacher who specialises in polymer clay and metal clay jewellery. She is the author of 13 major craft books.


Northamptonshire
Magnolia Studios
Pottery & Craft Centre, 37 Billing Road, Northampton, NN1 5DQ
Website: www.magnoliastudios.co.uk Telephone: 01604 629578 Email: maureen@magnoliastudios.co.uk
A range of regular workshops and courses covering beaded jewellery, macrame, enamelling and metal clay available. Open studio sessions available on Wednesday daytime and evening, with other courses run throughout the week. Group sessions are available on demand. Metal clay workshops include introductory, certification, ring making and mixed media. All classes are small and friendly.

Oxfordshire
Amy Surman Jewellery
75 Wilkins Road, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2JA
Website: www.amysurman.com Telephone: 1865 774298 Email: info@amysurman.com
A variety of workshops available from beginner level introducing new techniques using materials such as Beads & Wire, Beads & Stringing, Precious Metal Clay and Sterling Silver to master and improver courses.Workshop evenings can be booked for groups and private tuition is also available.

Staffordshire
Kirsty Thomason, Moondust Jewellery
Group sessions held in Stoke on Trent.
Website: www.moondustjewellery.co.uk Telephone: 01270 526014 or 07951 032053 Email: moondustjewellery@btinternet.com
Kirsty is a level 2 certified art clay instructor and offers beginers classes, intermediate and advanced. These classes include, ring making, lentil bead making, level 1 and level 2 certification, art clay and glass, art clay and image transfer and art clay and resin. 1 to 1 tuition is available, Kirsty is willing to travel to other locations for group lessons by arrangement.

East Sussex


Learnsilverclay Courses tutor: Paula Louise Paton
Red Roofs,Jackies Lane,Newick,East Sussex BN8 4QX
Telephone: 01825 722428 Website: www.learnsilverclay.co.uk Email: info@learnsilverclay.co.uk
Small friendly classes taught by qualified PMC instructor with 9 years experience in the jewellery business.  A full range of beginner, intermediate and advanced courses including fingerprintjJewellery for business or pleasure.  Purpose built extensively equipped workshop in the heart of the Sussex countryside. Free on-site parking.


West Sussex


Beverley Hicklin
Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex
Website: www.beverleyhicklin.co.uk
Introductory lampwork glass bead making classes available. Max 3 pupils per class or one-to-one tuition available. 1 or 2 day classes. Mid-week discounts available.

West Midlands
Ellie B Jewels
Workshops held in Birmingham, West Midlands
Website: www.elliebjewels.co.uk Telephone: 078692 12345 Email:ellieb_jewels@hotmail.co.uk
Jewellery making workshops suitable for beginners and improvers. Chain Maille workshop dates to be announced soon.

Wiltshire


StudioB - Barbara Mason
29 Boundary Close, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 7TF
Telephone 01793 826192 Website: www.glass-beads.co.uk Email: BJM@Glass-Beads.co.uk
How often have you thought: They're beautiful beads but .. If only I could .. If you've always wanted to create your own beautiful art glass beads what's stopping you? Join Barbara Mason, in her Swindon studio, on a two day voyage of discovery and learn you how to make your own beautiful glass beads. Barbara looks forward to sharing with you her love of working in fine art glass and to revealing some of the secrets of successful lamp working and glass bead making.

Worcestershire


Julie Fountain - Lush Lampwork
Malvern, Worcestershire
Telephone 07906 651846 Website: www.lushlampwork.co.uk Email: julie@lushlampwork.co.uk
Learn how to make glass beads in Julie's 'Torch Porch' - one to one or learn with a friend. Aimed at complete beginners or new lampworkers, class tailored to your needs. Tuition available on weekdays and weekends. Contact Julie for more information and prices.


East Yorkshire


Tuffnell Glass
Rudston, East Yorkshire, YO25 4XA
Website : www.tuffnellglass.com Telephone : 01262 420171 Email: tuffnellglass@yahoo.co.uk
Bead making lessons are a one to one tutorial taken by Teresa, Emma or Martin. We use a Nortel Minor Burner and Effetre Glass and teach you lots of different ways to make beads. We can teach any level of beadmaking taking you through the basics of a beginer or taking you that step further playing with dichroic , foils or reduction glass effects. We can also demonstrate how to use a hothead torch and show you how to set up a torch so you can go home and set up one for yourself.



South Yorkshire


Jencel Beads & Jewellery
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Telephone: 0114 2509565 Website: www.jencel.co.uk Email:celia@jencel.co.uk
Runs regular workshops for beginners where you can learn skills in the company of other enthusiastic beaders. Also, several project workshops through the year. Special dates for individuals, or for groups of friends, are available by arrangement. A new addition to the workshops on offer is regular beady sessions, where there will be no formal tuition, but beaders can work on their own project, or learn a particular skill, away from the distractions of domestic life.


West Yorkshire
Mike Poole - Tillerman Beads
Grumpy's Mill Studios, Red Door, Adam Street, Todmorden, W.YORKS, OL15 5HZ
Telephone: 07904 974935 Website: www.tillermanbeads.co.uk Email: sales@tillerman.co.uk
Individual or group lessons in lampwork glass beadmaking, at the Tillerman Beads studio, with a torch station for each student. A five-hour introductory lesson includes information on safety, studio setup and an introduction to beadmaking. Lessons are arranged to suit the student, and cover any stage of experience from beginner to advanced. Weekdays or weekends are available and a full course description is available for download from the Tillerman Beads website.


Natalia Colman - Silver Clay Creations
Classes held in Halifax, W. Yorks.
Telephone: 01422 241115 Email: info@stylespecialists.co.uk
A fun and informative introduction to silver clay modelling. You'll create three pieces of jewellery and learn the essential skills to confidently complete your own projects at home. Lunch and materials are all included. Call Natalia Colman on (01422) 241115 for further details and dates.

Scotland

Glasgow
The Bead Company
7 Keith Street, Partick, Glasgow, G11 6QQ
Telephone: 0800-970-5234 Website:www.thebead.co.uk Email: info@thebead.co.uk
Classes available from beginner to experienced, with over 20 classes per month to suit all schedules. With a maximum class size of 6 and classes taking place on our mezzanine level there is plenty of room.

Ayrshire
Sheila Kerr
Classes held at
Prestwick Community Centre, Caerlaverock Road, Prestwick
Website: www.sheilakerrjewellery.com   Email: sheilakerr@sheilakerrjewellery.com
Level: Beginner's Jewellery Making, covering introductory bead stringing, pearl stringing, earring making, wire work and wire wrapping, Duration: 8 weeks.

Wales

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