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.

Download the Episode Notes 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

Episode 2: Knotting with Spooled Silk 

📺 Watch the episode here.

Find all of our favorite Knotting Supplies here.

Download the Episode Notes here.

• 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

📺 Watch the episode here.

Find all of our favorite Knotting Supplies here.

Download the Episode Notes here.

• 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 
  
• Pearl Float Necklaces

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 11, 2025 Episode 5: Advanced Pearl & Bead Knotting Techniques (note that is is the SECOND Wednesday of the month.)

• Multi-Strand & Layered Designs
• Endless no-clasp knotting
• Using knots as a design feature, not just for spacing
• Alternative closures including button-and-loop