Beading classes always available at
Mhai O Mhai Beads!

Call Mhai O Mhai beads at 705-733-2022 to register, or visit the store at 353 Saunders Rd in Barrie.

Lisa teaches sculpture, stained glass and jewellery classes, and speaks to artists about a variety of arts-related subjects. The workshops listed here can be custom-designed for your school or group. Contact Lisa to discuss your project.

Lisa is a member of CARFAC and uses CARFAC guidelines for workshop pricing.

Workshops for Artists

Lisa delights in sharing her experiences with other artists to help them in their artistic journey.

Show opportunities - a Collaborative Workshop

Where can I show my work? Are all exhibiting opportunities equal? How can I find out about exhibiting opportunities? Learn about the main categories of shows, the strengths of weaknesses of each category, and get tips on how to find them. Lisa moderates this session and invites participants to share their show experiences and opportunities with other participants. An engaging workshop every time!

“Lisa is a superstar!” - Harry Nowell, organizer of Working Creatives, an Ottawa-based networking group.

Navigating Facebook for Artistic promotion

Social media had made its place in the Internet world. Learn how to use it to your advantage as an artist. Lisa will take you through the steps of creating a Facebook artist’s page for yourself and provide ideas on how to populate and promote it.

Wire Sculpture

Learn to make three-dimensional sculptures by twisting, winding, weaving and sewing wire of different sizes and colours. Incorporate a variety of materials into wire sculpture. Learn how to  use recycled materials in unexpected ways.

Adult Jewellery-making Workshops Currently Offered in the Barrie area

Lisa is offering jewellery classes at Mhai O Mhai beads in Stroud, ON on Tuesday nights and on Wednesday nights at Mosaic Arts Studio in Barrie, ON. I’ve listed the workshop descriptions here - check the two websites listed above for course dates and to register.

Beading Techniques Workshops

These 3-hour workshops, intended to introduce a new technique to your beading repertoire, use demonstrations, hands-on practice and supporting documentation to get your creative mind sparking.

The instructor will loan the tools and provide materials kits for each workshop. Fine motor skills and good vision are necessary to work with what are often very small jewellery components.

A NOTE ABOUT THE PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE: These are projects I have completed using the techniques I teach in these classes. They are intended for illustration only.

1) The Basics

Learn necessary basic techniques for beaded jewellery construction. Introduction to clasps and findings of all kinds and the techniques necessary to make secure attachments. Learn stringing techniques and stringing variations. Work with jewellery making tools. Make a pair of earrings.

2) Chainmail for Jewellery

Learn the Byzantine Weave and its variations.  Experiment with combining colors, metals and ring sizes. Learn how to get the correct ring sizes for patterns and how to read chainmail patterns. Incorporate beads into chainmail chains.

3)  Working with Wire

Make spirals, wraps, clasps and connectors with different types of metal wire. Learn how to combine beads and wire. Make a beaded ring. Demonstration of wire wrapping.

4) Bead Embroidery

Working with a needle and thread, learn stitches to embellish fabric and/or stuffed items with beads. Learn to make fringe. Incorporate recycled items.

5) Bead Weaving

Working with a needle and thread, learn the Peyote stitch method of making fabric from beads. Demonstration of bead weaving on a loom. Discussion of beads available for this technique.

6) Wire Bead Crochet

Using a basic chain crochet stitch and fine metal wire, crochet and braid a bracelet with beads incorporated into the stitches. Demonstration of tubular crochet and of a tool intended to quickly thread beads.

7) Micro Macramé

Make beautiful intricate knotted jewellery with a series of simple knots. Learn basic macramé knots, working with leather cording. Incorporate beads into your work. Discuss and practice various finishing techniques.

8) Tubular Beaded Crochet

Learn the tubular beaded crochet technique to fashion bangles, necklaces, lariats and more. See how the choice of bead size and shape will modify your design. Understand tubular crochet beading patterns. Demonstration of finishing techniques.

Workshops for Children

Lisa’s workshops for children are engaging, exciting and just plain fun! Lisa does school visits and can teach in both English and French.

Kid’s beading workshops

Three-hour workshops are perfect for PD days or a fun weekend activity. Check the schedule at Mhai O Mhai Beads for dates and course registration.

The instructor will loan the tools and provide materials kits for each workshop. Fine motor skills and good vision are necessary to work with what are often very small jewellery components.

1) Paper Bead Critters

Learn how to make rolled paper beads with recycled paper – you’ll be amazed by the possibilities! Once your stash of beads has been created, add wire, recycled items and accent beads and craft fun figures and critters.

2) Rubber ring bracelets

Make cool bangles from colourful rubber rings and metal rings – they stretch right over your hand, no clasps required. A unique chain maille project.