The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to a common language and understanding of beads, jewelry findings and tools that they will be working with, from The Design Perspective.

This course acquaints the student with the world of beads, and what kinds of choices the bead artist and jewelry designer need to make.

o How to tell the quality of beads before you buy and use them
o How beads are made, and the differences in quality and
craftsmanship, based on where they are made
o What the differences are among druks, fire polish, seed beads, delicas and the like
o How to understand metals and platings, especially their pros and cons, and what happens as they age
o What the various types, sizes, finishes, shapes and styles of beads are
o Where beads come from, and how they have been used historically
o How to make intelligent choices about which stringing materials to use
o What tools you will need, and how to buy them
o What the pros and cons are of various clasps and other jewelry findings
o Different approaches teachers and author's of how-to books take, when teaching beading and jewelry making, and the implications of any one, for telling you what kinds of choices to make