MASTER CLASS: Pearl Knotting

LIVE the First Wednesday of Each Month | 10:30 AM PT February-June 2025

Join Kate Richbourg and Janice Parsons for an exclusive 5-part Master Class Series on Pearl & Bead Knotting. With decades of combined experience in jewelry design, teaching, and knotting techniques, Kate and Janice will guide you from the fundamentals of knotting to advanced techniques for professional-quality jewelry.

Each episode features step-by-step demonstrations, pro tips, and live Q&A, giving you direct access to Kate & Janice’s deep knowledge and passion for the art of knotting.

Watch LIVE & Learn With Us!
Replays available on YouTube & Beadshop.com

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Each episode will be linked below after the air date:

February 5, 2025 Episode 1: Essential Tools & Materials

📺 Watch the episode here.

Find all of our favorite Knotting Supplies here.

  • Why Pearls? The history and allure of Pearls.
  • Choosing the Right Needles that match your thread and bead choices.
  • Thread Selection Basics 
  • Types of Endtips & Their Uses (Clamshells, French Wire)
  • Cutting apart a strung necklace and preparing it for restringing

Coming up next! March 5, 2025 Episode 2: Knotting with Spooled Silk 

  • Step-by-Step Demonstration of Knotting with Spooled Silk including using endtips, bullion, and specialty caps
  • Knotting between different bead shapes & sizes
  • Adapting techniques for larger or irregularly shaped beads
  • How to handle tiny-hole pearls & gemstones

April 2, 2025 Episode 3: Knotting with Silk with Needle Attached

  • Understanding Pre-Attached Needle Silk (e.g., Griffin Silk)
  • Differences Between Spooled Silk & Pre-Attached Needle Silk
  • Step-by-Step Knotting Demonstration including using endtips 
  • Double & triple knots for design variation
  • Pearl Float Necklaces and Endless no-clasp knotting

May 7, 2025 Episode 4: Adding & Changing Threads

  • How to Add Threads Mid-Project Without Weakening the Design
  • Techniques for Changing Threads Seamlessly
  • What to Do If a Thread Breaks

June 4, 2025 Episode 5: Advanced Pearl & Bead Knotting Techniques

  • Multi-Strand & Layered Designs
  • Using knots as a design feature, not just for spacing
  • Alternative closures including button-and-loop