$40 for a Glass-Bead-Making Class at Beads by Design in Marietta ($85 Value)
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- Learn to make colorful glass beads
- All materials included
- Experienced instructor
On the International Space Station, brave astro-pioneers pass the time by making crafts—namely, dreamcatchers to catch the dreams of any nearby aliens dreaming of attacking Earth. Make your crafting dreams come true with today's Groupon: for $40, you get a glass-bead-making class from Beads by Design in Marietta, about a mile south of the Big Chicken (an $85 value).
Beads by Design teaches nimble fingers the string-'em-up skills necessary to create dazzling works of beaded finery. The 2.5-hour beginning class introduces students to glass bead-making and lampworking, and includes all materials—glass rods, oxygen, tools, propane, eyewear, and a safety chute. Students can learn to make fun, colorful, chunky glass beads as an experienced instructor helps uncertain hands fashion molten glass baubles. Once formed, the glass beads cool in a kiln overnight, awaiting pickup the next day by beaders anxious to cover naked clavicles.
Should glass bead-making already be a notch on your craft-knowledge belt, this Groupon may also be used toward the repair of broken necklaces or bracelets using Beads by Design's restringing services. The knowledgeable staff stands ready to help with product searches or the inevitable queries about how to turn glass into diamonds. Classes are currently scheduled for April 7 (10:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.), April 8 (2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.), and April 9 (10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.), with similar schedules in following weeks.
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About Beads By Design Atlanta
Hidden just east of Cobb Parkway, a complex of low, slate-blue warehouses shelters a community of textile workers, sculptors, and graphic designers intent on refining their art. Beads by Design's shop and atelier contributes to this creative wellspring, and today the Southern Flames—a society of glass-bead makers—gather there for their monthly meetings. The shop opened in 1998, displaying a wealth of Japanese Delica seed beads, fire-polished and pressed glass beads, pearls, gemstones, and glittering Swarovski crystals under the high, exposed-metal roof. Visitors can pick up notions or tools, or stick around for jewelry-making classes. These begin with the basics of knotting wire rings and stringing necklaces and expand into the creation of broad, beaded cuffs inspired by Ndebele jewelry and macramé techniques for braiding copper wire. To give students complete creative control of their work, instructors provide propane torches attached to work tables, and safely teach how to fabricate glass beads and intimidate nay-saying critics.