Let's take six weeks to braid a Soirée necklace together!
With big projects like this, it's easy to keep putting it off. Without an actual put-it-on-the-calendar-plan sometimes it's just not going to happen. It's too easy to get distracted with all the other things going on.
With this class, you're getting weekly accountability and bite-sized beading assignments that take this one BIG necklace project and break it into easy to manage steps that we'll do together!
The Soirée Braid Along Class is six weekly 1 hour zoom sessions. There are two "catch-up weeks" in the middle, so you'll actually need to block out 8 weeks on your calendar: January 12th - March 2nd.
Before we begin, your homework is to gather your supplies (either from the supply list or get a Soirée kit.) In between our weekly zoom sessions, you'll work on your braid independently to keep things moving along.
The official class time is 5:00 PM Arizona time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings time and is currently (and for the duration of the Soirée class) aligned with Mountain Standard time.
4:00 PM Pacific
5:00 PM Arizona / Mountain
6:00 PM Central
7:00 PM Eastern
I've triple checked the time for other areas, but the official start time is 5:00 PM Tucson, Arizona. Please confirm the start time for your location before signing up for class.
Schedule:
Homework before class begins:
- Watch Soirée Video #01: Supplies & Tools
- Make sure you have the supplies & tools: buy a new Soirée kit? find the Soirée kit you bought a while ago? round up your own supplies?
- Upon registration you'll get an email with the supply list details (exact quantities).
Session One: Monday, January 12th at 5:00 PM Arizona
- Cutting the cords
- Setting up the disk
- Using a bead spinner
- Reading a stringing chart
- Stringing the counted pattern on warps 1 & 2
Homework to complete before next week: finish stringing your beads up to the button loop.
Session Two: Monday, January 19th at 5:00 PM Arizona
- Braiding
- Checking your work
Homework: keep braiding & string more beads
Session Three: Monday, January 26th at 5:00 PM Arizona
- Braiding
- Checking your work
Homework: keep braiding
Mid-Session Break – Catch up Time
No Class Monday, February 2nd
No Class Monday, February 9th
Homework: braid up to the end of the necklace
Session Four: Monday, February 16th at 5:00 PM Arizona
- Joining the two sides together
- inner embellishment
Homework: complete inner embellishment
Session Five: Monday, February 23rd at 5:00 PM Arizona
- Outer embellishment
Homework: complete outer embellishment
Session Six: Monday, March 2nd at 5:00 PM Arizona
- adding the button
- stringing the tassel
Zoom Class Guidelines – Picturesque 6-Week Zoom Braid Along
We’re so excited to have you join Rebecca online! To make the most of our time together, please review these guidelines before class begins.
1. Preparing for Class
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Download Zoom ahead of time and test your connection.
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Update Zoom to the latest version for the best features.
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Have your tools and supplies nearby so you can follow along during demos.
2. Joining the Session
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A Zoom Classroom link will be emailed to your email on file after enrollment. Look for an email with the subject line: "Your Digital Files Are Ready to Download." Click the download link and you'll get a folder with two files inside. Open both and read them.
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Use your real name when logging in so Rebecca can recognize you.
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If possible, use a larger screen (laptop, tablet) for a clearer view of demonstrations.
3. During Class
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If you're in a quiet environment, it's ok to leave your mic on so we can chat. Please mute yourself if there's background noise, like a barking dog.
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Feel free to turn your camera on—it's nice to be able to see each other!
4. Participation
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Follow along on your necklace as Rebecca demonstrates.
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It’s fine to just watch and take notes if you prefer.
5. Technical Tips
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Have your device plugged in or fully charged.
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Sit in a quiet, well-lit space if possible.
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If your screen freezes, try turning off your video to improve the connection.
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If you have the option of plugging your device into a hardwired internet connection (as opposed to using WiFi) do that. The signal is generally stronger.
6. Between Sessions
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Keep working on your necklace, so you're ready for the next steps.
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The links to watch the pre-recorded demo videos are intended for your personal use only. Please honor that request.
Materials Included: No. You are welcome to work from a Soirée kit or gather your own supplies. Must be 36mm Czech glass button. No substitutions.
I don't sell the buttons. You can find them if you search "36mm Czech Glass Button." Etsy has quite a few.
Homework Required: Yes. A link to the homework videos will be emailed to your email on file after enrollment.
Skill Level: Previous experience with kumihimo braiding on a foam disk is very helpful. I wouldn't suggest this as your very first beaded kumihimo project, but if you've at least done something like a beaded rope, then you're ready for this class. This project is not very technically challenging, but does require intense attention to detail.
Will the necklace be completed in class? Yes! At the end of the six-week class your Soirée necklace will be ready to wear! Yay!
Supplies needed (exact quantities given in supply list upon registration):
- 36mm Czech glass button with shank
- size 11/0 Delica beads
- size 8/0 Toho Demi beads
- size 8/0 round Japanese seed beads
- size 11/0 round Japanese seed beads
- C-Lon/S-Lon Micro
- 3mm Czech fire polished beads
- size 15/0 round Japanese seed beads
Tools needed:
- kumihimo disk standard thickness (I like the 4", but 6" works fine for this project.)
- eight weighted bobbins
- one 45g clip-on center weights
- scissors
- smooth jar hemostat
- tape measure
- big-eye needle
- rigid beading needle
What if I need to cancel? This event is non-refundable. Please check your schedule carefully before signing up.
Is there a replay available? No, this is a live event and the zoom sessions will not be recorded; however, there are highly detailed, studio recorded Soirée videos you can re-watch at your convenience. These videos will be available to students as private YouTube links.
Limit one student per class spot purchased.
Design by Rebecca Ann Combs
©Rickbecca Publishing LLC
Distributed under license by Design & Adorn LLC.