Prague, Jablonec nad Nisou, Liberec & More in this 10 day trip in the Czech Republic.  

The tours in Prague are mostly walking due to the old, narrow, and winding streets.  Good Walking shoes are very important.  

Two world renowned designers will be traveling with us.  Cassandra Spicer and Kinga Bledsoe (Nichols) will be teaching a couple of optional classes.  

If you need help from Jon booking your air travel please add that option to your booking.  

October 19th 2023 check in to our Prague hotel at 2 pm.  We will be doing a walking tour at 2:30 and dinner boat cruise that evening.  During this time we will visit Prague Castle, Starhov monastery library,, the Jewish Quarter, Old Town, Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square, and the Astronomical Clock.  

The tours in Prague are mostly walking due to the old, narrow, and winding streets.  Good Walking shoes are very important.  

We will leave Prague around 9 AM on October 21st heading towards Jablonec nad Nisou.  On the way we will stop at Sychov Castle, have lunch in the countryside winding up at Na Basta Hotel for the next 6 nights.  In the bead region we will see glass bead production, christmas ornaments, czech glass pearl production, fire polish production, have a picnic in the countryside, factory bead shopping galore, glass blowing, crystal jewelry, the school of glass and more.  

Enjoy the final time in Prague with a free afternoon.  

Learn how to make Czech Glass beaded Flower rings, pendants, and earrings with special metal parts.  

In the event you want to stay longer please let Jon know.  

Cassandra's Metal Mesh Cuff Bracelet $59

Join Cassandra for this unique study on a series of RAW (Right Angle Weave) components that when connected, seamlessly flow into a cuff that mimics an elegant piece of metal costume jewelry. Although you cannot expect to complete this project during class time, we will go over every component/technique at least up to the repeated portions. You will leave with a strong foundation, preparing you for completing any unfinished work on your own.

Skill Level: Intermediate

While students need to be proficient at basic RAW to be prepared for class, they will take their skills a step further through learning several variations on the technique, and practicing these in depth throughout the bracelet.

*Kit Price: $59, there will be 2-3 color choices. - Will include everything to complete the project except a needle and thread. Students will  need a size 12 beading needle and 10 lb Wildfire thread in a color similar to their kit choice. If students do not have access to these supplies, they may order them from Beads to Live By in advance. We may also be able to bring a few along with us, but please do not count on this.

The only other tools needed for class are a beading mat or board, scissors and a portable (cordless) light/ magnification if normally used when beading.

Astronomical Clock Necklace - A combination of our Cactus Flower Pendant, with the In & Out Necklace Strap Design. (Including that information in case anyone has previously purchased one or both of these patterns.)

Class Description: In this versatile design, you can choose not only the time dedicated to your project, but how complicated it will be for you! If you are feeling adventurous, make the entire beaded contraption top to bottom. Wanting to take it easy? Bead the SUPER easy necklace strap, and find the perfect premade pendant to hang from it. Wanting to devote your class time to the pendant so you can get lots of help with the hard part? Finish the necklace strap at a later time, or even hang the pendant from a fashionable piece of chain. The possibilities are endless! Whatever decision you make, Cassandra will be right there to guide you through the process.

Skill Level: Beginner Worthy

*Kit Price: $78, there will be 3 color choices - Will include everything to complete the project except a needle and thread. Students will need a size 12 beading needle and 10 lb Wildfire thread in a color similar to their kit choice. If students do not have access to these supplies, they may order them from Beads to Live By in advance. We may also be able to bring a few along with us, but please do not count on this.

The only other tools needed for class are a beading mat or board, scissors and a portable (cordless) light/ magnification if normally used when beading.

This project is named Tragic Heroines because the girl with the red dress reminded me of one of my favorite movie scenes. I am sure you know the scene: Lucy Westenra walking into the garden to fornicate with Dracula on a stone altar, from the 1992 classic, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Lucy of course becomes a wildly unsuccessful vampire and gets beheaded, but her character steals the show from a very prim and proper Mina. Of course the image doesn't have anything to do with the movie and the dress was a lot more orange and our Lucy was a redhead, but these are small details when a mental leap has already been made. 

The girl with the seahorse was a lot harder to find a name for, if these were to be named after tragic movie heroines... Underwater, but not merperson. Not dead either, not drowned, who should I name this one after? Thought about Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water. Sweet Elisa falls in love with an amphibian fella and in the end goes on to live with him in the water. Since both are shot first, I think she qualifies as somewhat tragic too. This movie's whole feel is all aquatic, green and blue with some red so the bracelet does not resemble anything of the "feel", but hey, naming projects is not the easiest task.

Both cabs are square and about 30mm. The shape of the bracelet repeats this pointy, angular look. Clean, crisp lines and some cool, 3D layers are juxtaposed against the organic garden like pattern that fills the sides.
Beadslide clasps complete the clean, modern look in silver. On both colorways.

Kits for this project includes all the materials to complete one bracelet as pictured such as all the  Japanese beads, focals, clasp, Italian metallic lambskin, intructions, foundation, Czech shaped beads. Attendees will need to bring their own basic supplies such as beading thread, needle, scissors and E6000 glue, white gel pen, beading surface, light and magnification as needed.  For thread I tend to use 8lb test Nanofil in low vis green. Attendees may use whatever else they like using for their bead embroidery. Examples of other thread include but aren't limited to OneG in matching colors, Fireline 6lb test in smoke, Nymo.For needle I tend to use Tulip size 11s, everything else attendees prefer will be just fine. 

Kit price for Tragic Heroines: $145 + $5 for shipping it 4 weeks before the travel date.

Policy regarding kits: Attendees are responsible for making sure they bring the kit with them. Shall the kit be lost in the mail, I offer a 100% free replacement. However, once the kit reaches the attendee, the attendee is responsible for bringing it and all its contents to the event. In case the attendee forgets the kit or part of it, they may purchase another one during class. I will have a limited number of replacements available with me available for purchase, shall this come to pass.

Something Wicked This Way Comes is a strangely glowing, powerful looking little bracelet with a glowing resin focal center made by me, although the technique is not mine: Gail Crosman Moore invented and made it famous. The focal is shaped like a rectangular ammolite and it's surrounded by beautiful Czech and Japanese seed beads, mermaid beads, frog skin ( the colors may vary a bit from example shown). There are also golden freshwater pearls and the project is backed in beautiful orchid color Italian lambskin. The clasp is a frog button. The design is a freeform and you will learn in class how to adjust it to your needs.  Overall, this piece has an untamed, mysterious feel to it. 

Kits for this project includes all the materials to complete one bracelet as pictured such as all the  Japanese beads, focals, clasp, Italian lambskin, intructions, foundation, Czech seed beads. Attendees will need to bring their own basic supplies such as beading thread, needle, scissors and E6000 glue, white gel pen, beading surface, light and magnification as needed.  

For thread I tend to use 8lb test Nanofil in low vis green. Attendees may use whatever else they like using for their bead embroidery. Examples of other thread include but aren't limited to OneG in matching colors, Fireline 6lb test in smoke, Nymo.

For needle I tend to use Tulip size 11s, everything else attendees prefer will be just fine. 
Kit price for Something Wicked This Way Comes $145 + $5 for shipping it 4 weeks before the travel date.

Policy regarding kits:  Attendees are responsible for making sure they bring the kit with them. Shall the kit be lost in the mail, I offer a 100% free replacement. However, once the kit reaches the attendee, the attendee is responsible for bringing it and all its contents to the event. In case the attendee forgets the kit or part of it, they may purchase another one during class. I will have a limited number of replacements available with me available for purchase, shall this come to pass.