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Chain Making with Scott David Plumlee
Featuring new techniques from his latest book!


Scott David Plumlee
We're pleased to welcome artisan Scott David Plumlee to the boutique for a special weekend of classes. He'll teach four diverse classes on Saturday September 19 and Sunday September 20.

Scott is the author of Hand Crafting Chain and Bead Jewelry, released in 2006 and available for sale in our kits and instructions section. His latest book, shown at left, is scheduled for release in July 2009. Chain and Bead Jewelry: Creative Connections takes you on a wire-wrapping adventure through 28 jewelry projects and dozens of techniques. Discover wire-wrapping techniques that progress from simple earrings to embellished bracelets. More complex techniques are explored in the later chapters where gemstone beads are used to embellish a variety of age-old chains, from the Byzantine, Flower, Mobius, Dubious, Japanese, Inca Pu–o, and European, to the infamous six-sided Snake chain.

To register for any of these classes, please call Blue Buddha Boutique at 773.478.3767. Space is limited to 10 students per class. You must pay each class fee in full when you register (kit fees will be paid directly to Scott during class). Please refer to the bottom of the page for more details on registration and cancellation.



Celtic Key Fob
Saturday, September 19, 10:00 - 1:00

Celtic Key Fob
Discover the cold-connecting techniques of the age-old Byzantine chain and then take it to the next level of embellishment. For this introductory workshop into beaded chain jewelry design, we will use simple hand tools to assemble pre-cut silver jump rings into the Byzantine chain with Crown formations. This chain pattern is then combined into a large square pendant with four voids to be filled with gemstone beads. Optional patina and polish will be avilable for those that want an antiqued look. No experience necessary; you will leave with a pendant on your key ring and a healthy hobby under your hat.

Prerequisite: None

Level: Beginning

Kit: Kit includes silver jump rings, keyring, beading cable, four 6mm semi-precious beads, and a crimp tube. (Students may bring their own beads, but the kit price remains the same.)

Tools to Bring: Two pliers for closing jump rings (most students prefer flat or chain-nose, but some like bent-nose...whatever works for you!). The instructor will have pliers available for student use. We have task lamps and bead mats in the studio for your convenience.

Fee: $65 total — $30 for the class (due at registration), plus $35 for the kit (pay kit fee directly to the instructor on the day of class)


Lunch and Book Signing
Saturday, September 19, 1:00 - 3:00

A mini-open studio! Purchase a book and kit from Scott and tackle a new project, or bring other projects from home to finish. Even if you're not taking classes today, feel free to stop in and purchase an autographed copy of Scott's book, along with kits and other supplies.

Blue Buddha will be open to the public during this time, and customers can purchase the chainmaille supplies and instructions we normally stock. Blue Buddha Boutique Customer Discount for this weekend: 15% off all base metal jump rings and findings, and 10% off all precious (niobium and sterling) rings and findings.

Several amazing restaurants are within walking distance from the studio. We're happy to point you in the direction of whatever food you're craving, be it Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Pizza, Thai....this neighborhood has just about everything!

Beaded Infinity Bracelet
Saturday, September 19, 3:00 - 6:00

Beaded Infinity Bracelet
Discover the hidden potential of jump rings as you explore how to set gemstone beads into the tri-metal Infinity chain pattern. Using new mandrel-tip pliers conceived by Scott, you will set gemstone beads onto headpins and assemble them into a simple two-on-one chain of bronze and silver rings. The final embellishment of copper infinity rings will overlap each silver ring, adding visual depth and pattern. Bracelet will be sized to fit and completed with a choice of traditional s-clasp or modern magnetic clasp.

Prerequisite: Some chain mail experience is helpful but not required

Level: All Levels

Kit: Silver, bronze, and copper jump rings, silver headpins, eighteen 8mm semi-precious beads, and choice of s-clasp or magnetic clasp. (Students may bring their own beads, but the kit price remains the same.)

Tools to Bring: The instructor will have chainmaille pliers and wire-wrapping pliers for student use. If you prefer to use your own pliers to close the jump rings, please bring two pliers (most students prefer flat or chain-nose, but some like bent-nose...whatever works for you!). We will have task lamps and bead mats in the studio.

Fee: $70 total — $30 for the class (due at registration), plus $40 for the kit (pay kit fee directly to the instructor on the day of class)





Double Chaos Bracelet
Sunday, September 20, 10:00 - 1:00

Chaos Bracelet
In this wire jewelry workshop, we will explore the potential of wrapping wire with an electric screwdriver. This low-tech gizmo allows quick and spontaneous spinning of wire around wire into a bead structure to be embellished with gemstone beads, adding color to the implied motion. These beaded beads are then curved into an S-shape and combined with a mixed metal double chain, creating a unique bracelet with texture and silver pizzazz. Bracelets will be completed with a forged s-clasp with a hammer and anvil demonstration. You will leave with a bracelet on your wrist and can apply the techniques you've learned to create an intricate Chaos bracelet, like that shown on the cover of Chain and Bead Jewelry: Creative Connections

Prerequisite: None

Level: Beginning - moderate hand-eye coordination helpful but no prerequisite.

Supply List: beading mat, optivisor, task lamp, and 3.6-volt electric screwdriver with 3-prong chuck adaptors (more info at: www.davidchain.com/toolkit.html).

Kit: Silver and bronze jump rings, silver and bronze wires, beads, and choice of forged S-clasp or new magnetic clasp

Pliers: two flat-nose (instructor will bring pliers to share).

Fee: $65 total — $30 for the class (due at registration), plus $35 for the kit (pay kit fee directly to the instructor on the day of class)


Lunch and Book Signing
Sunday, September 20, 1:00 - 3:00

A mini-open studio! Purchase a book and kit from Scott and tackle a new project, or bring other projects from home to finish. Even if you're not taking classes today, feel free to stop in and purchase an autographed copy of Scott's book, along with kits and other supplies.

Blue Buddha will be open to the public during this time, and customers can purchase the chainmaille supplies and instructions we normally stock. Blue Buddha Boutique Customer Discount for this weekend: 15% off all base metal jump rings and findings, and 10% off all precious (niobium and sterling) rings and findings.

Several amazing restaurants are within walking distance from the studio. We're happy to point you in the direction of whatever food you're craving, be it Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Pizza, Thai....this neighborhood has just about everything!

Tornado-wrapped Earring & Pendant
Sunday, September 20, 3:00 - 6:00

Tornado Earrings
Learn to apply a variety of innovative bead embellishment techniques in this wire-wrapping workshop. We will be completing a pair of Tornado-wrapped Earrings and a Triple-wrapped Pendant from Scott’s second book, Chain and Bead Jewelry Creative Connections. After a demonstration with a hot torch on how to make perfect headpins with 19-gauge Argentium silver wire, the class will use pre-made headpin wires to secure a 6mm gemstone bead with a fine wire wrapping of implied tornado vortex and then shape the remaining headpin wire into earring backs. We will then step-up to using a larger gauge silver headpin to hold a larger 15mm bead and then embellish with three strands of fine wire and finally shape the remaining headpin wire to create a centerpiece Pendant. This is a project class with many valuable wire and bead techniques along the way.

Prerequisite: Some chain mail experience is helpful but not required

Level: Intermediate - some basic wire working knowledge is helpful, but no experience necessary; however, a steady hand and a bit of hand-eye coordination definitely helps.

Supply List: beading mat, optivisor, task lamp, extension cord, and one pre-drilled 15mm bead.

Kit: 19- & 16-gauge silver headpins, 24-gauge silver or gold wires, and gemstone beads.

Tools Needed: chain-nose pliers, round-nose pliers, and wire cutters.

Fee: $65 total — $30 for the class (due at registration), plus $35 for the kit (pay kit fee directly to the instructor on the day of class)


About the Instructor
Scott David Plumlee
Author and jewelry educator Scott David Plumlee has been inspiring a new generation of chain jewelers for the past decade, leading more than 150 workshops nationwide. Plumlee is the author of Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry, a bestseller in its category that has retailed more than 30,000 copies since July 2006.

Scott is a world traveler who receives inspirtation from his exploration of ancient craft designs while trekking throughout 32 countries and four continents. He currently resides in the enchanted foothills of sunny Taos, New Mexico.

Visit his webage at DavidChain.com

All photos on this page are copyright Scott David Plumlee and used with permission.





CLASS POLICIES

Pre-registration and payment in full is required for all classes. Make sure to register early as these classes are expected to fill up quickly! All class fees are due at the time of registration, and material fees will be due on the day of class. You can pre-register by phone at 773.478.3767.

If you need to cancel your registration, you must notify us by Wednesday, September 9 in order to receive a full refund. If you cancel on or after Thursday, September 10, your payment will be forfeited. (Please understand that Scott is traveling from another state to teach these classes, and we need to guarantee him a minimum number of students). There are no exceptions to this, unless we can fill your spot from someone on our waiting list.

In the event a class is canceled due to lack of enrollment, students will be notified and will be given the option of a full refund or saving your payment as a credit to be used toward a future class at Blue Buddha Boutique.

All classes begin promptly at the posted start time. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early. The ensures that all students will be ready to begin at the start of class.

Blue Buddha Boutique will be open to the public during both lunch sessions. To prevent distractions during class, we will not be selling rings except during the lunch sessions—Saturday September 19 from 1 - 3, and Sunday September 20 from 1 -2. During these times, customers will receive a special discount: 15% off all base metal jump rings and findings, and 10% off all precious (niobium and sterling) rings and findings.

And finally, enjoy your classes! Your feedback is important to us, and we love to hear your experiences with our instructors and projects. Feel free to email us at orders@bluebuddhaboutique.com to let us know what you think.

Happy weaving!



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