Course Overview:
Support will be at hand during the whole duration of the course. You will receive a diploma upon successful completion of the course. Your tutor will be in touch once you sign up to discuss possible assignment projects, personalised to your aims and objectives.
Ask a Question:
If you would like to know more about the course, the tutor or you want to discuss whether this course is a good fit for you, please e-mail us on hello@weddingcraftsacademy.com or call us on (0044) 07938 236 497 (Time Zone: London, UK).
Tutor:
You will be looked after by Ivana Mearns, bridal headdress designer with over ten years of experience. To view Ivana’s online portfolio, please visit www.ivanamearns.com. Ivana worked with hundreds of brides over the years and her designs appeared in various magazines, on stage and in films. Ivana is a designer with an international reach. Her headpieces were worn at weddings in many different countries and two of her jewellery sets were worn by Miss England 2013 at the Miss World Competition in Bali.
Availability:
Spaces are currently available.
If you would like to sign up in advance for a specific date, please contact us at hello@weddingcraftsacademy.com / (0044) 07938 236 497 (Time Zone: London, UK).
Enrolment:
To sign up for the course please click the button below. All enrolment orders are approved by our admin team. You will be sent your login details within two working days, once your enrollment has been approved.
Student Support:
Any of your questions related to jewellery making will be answered by your tutor. You are entitled up to two hours of personal support for each of the twelve modules. This means that you can ask many questions as it often takes only a few minutes to answer each query.
Design Library:
All our students have the right to make and sell any of the headdresses that can be found in our student design library. You will also have the right to share these images on your website. You could use our design library when discussing bespoke orders with brides to be. Feel free to get in touch to discuss this bonus further.
Course Fee:
The one-off fee for this course is £850. You can also pay in four equal installments of £219. This fee includes access to your student portal with detailed tutorials and dedicated support from your personal tutor. You will receive a diploma upon successful completion of this course. Please note that materials are not provided by the academy. It will be up to each student to source beads that match their personal style. Guidance and a list of suppliers will be provided by your tutor.
Course Description (One Year Course, Part 1 – 12):
Part 1
1a Beading Components: You will learn about designer-quality beading components. The focus is on crystal beads, pearls and diamantes, manufacturers and bead suppliers. Once you finish this module, you will feel confident in choosing beading components for your projects.
1b – Tools & Wire, Loops, Earrings (Part One): You will discover which type of wire is suitable for making bridal headdresses and other jewellery pieces and learn how to form a segment of wire into various shapes. You will also learn how to make loops with precision and use this technique to make earrings. All these techniques will be used later to make bridal headdresses and matching jewellery pieces.
Part 2
2a Findings and Stringing Materials: This chapter will help you navigate the world of jewellery-making components. You will be able to recognise different types of clasps and ear wires as well a less-known types of findings. We will also discuss the quality and characteristics of cords and strings that can be used for making bridal jewellery.
2b – Earrings – Part Two, Twisted Wire Stems, Attaching Stems to a Tiara Base: Now you are familiar with many different types of beads and findings, you will learn how to make these components for making a wide range of earrings, including highly ornamental earrings with multiple drops. You will also learn how to make a twisted wire stem and how to attach twisted wire stems to a tiara. We will look at the common mistakes people make when twisting wire, to ensure that you are using the correct technique.
Part 3
3a Jewellery: To be able to fulfil bespoke orders, it’s helpful to know various types of jewellery pieces, including those that are less common, such as lariat necklaces or illusion bracelets. We will also look at practical issues each designer needs to know, such as standard necklace lengths and earrings health and safety.
3b – Bracelets – Part One, Decorative Stems: We will be using various types of beads, clasps and strings to make bridal bracelets. You will take your tiara making skills to the next level and make some stunning decorative tiara stems, such as stems with beaded flowers and crystals arranged into triangles. These stems can be incorporated into side tiaras, bridal hair combs and many other types of accessories, bespoke or ready-made.
Part 4
4a Bridal Headdresses: Brides-to-be often ask for recommendations as they are not sure which type of headdress to choose. We will look at many different types of bridal headdresses, including those inspired by vintage eras. We will focus on practical issues, such as how to secure a decorative hair comb into a short hair style.
4b – Bracelets (Part Two), Wirework – Multiple Stems: To add variety to your range of bridal bracelets, we will use additional bracelet findings. We will also look at giving bracelet ends a professional finish. To advance in wirework skills, you will make slightly more complex ornaments than in previous tutorials. The focus will be on making wirework with multiple stems.
Part 5
5a Personal Styling: Having understanding of different types of hair styles, face shapes, wedding dress silhouettes, dress necklines and bridal gown fabrics can be invaluable when dealing with customers. Being able to help your customer choose accessories that flatter the shape of their face and complement their bridal gown is an important selling point that can keep you ahead of your competition.
5b – Necklaces, Wirework Branches: In this module, you will learn various techniques that can be used for making necklaces. We will continue making wirework decorations. This time, we will focus on the correct techniques of making wirework branches. These delicate wirework elements can be later set in many different types of bridal accessories, including romantic hair vines and contemporary side tiaras.
Part 6
6a Wedding Themes: In this module, you will learn about the most common wedding themes, such as “contemporary” or “fairytale” as well as some atypical wedding themes. You will also learn about accessories inspired by vintage eras. Each chapter includes practical tips and tricks on how to help your customers choose bridal accessories that will reflect their wedding theme.
6b Wirework Combinations: In this module, you will learn how to make wirework vines. Then, we will look at various examples of how wirework decorations such as branches and beaded flowers can be combined into an intricate wirework. At this point, you will be confident in making wirework with a professional look where all wire segments are twisted evenly, using the correct techniques you learned in the previous modules.
Part 7
7a The History of Bridal Headdresses: Knowing how bridal headdresses were changing during the ages is not only fascinating to read about but will also help you with fulfilling bespoke orders and with being seen as an expert in your field. If a bride-to-be approaches you with a request for a bespoke headpiece inspired by a certain time period, such as 1920s, you will be able to offer various design options.
7b Wirework Jewellery: Being able to design and make matching pieces to each headdress is one of your most important selling points. In this chapter, you will be making various wirework earrings, bracelets and necklaces. You will be able to utilise many techniques you learned in the previous modules, such as making twisted wire stems with beaded flowers and branches.
Part 8
8a Photography: Knowing more about product photography will help you whether you decide to work with a professional photographer or decide to photograph all bridal collections yourself. Capturing jewellery made with pearls and transparent crystal beads can be tricky. We will look at various ways of how to lit your products, discuss the camera settings and go over many practical issues such as choosing photography backdrops.
8b Headdresses – Part Two: By the time you reach module 8b, you will already know how to make numerous types of wirework decorations. You will also know how to attach twisted wire stems to a tiara base. There are many other techniques that can be used for making bridal headdresses, as you will learn in this module.
Part 9
9a Setting up a Business: In part nine, we will touch on many different aspects of being self-employed. This module will be your starting point that might need a further research. We will discuss working from home or from dedicated premises, setting up an administrative system, choosing a legal structure for your business and taking care of tax and bookkeeping.
9b Headdresses (Part Two) Diamantes (Part One): In this module, you will learn how to make additional headpieces, such as hair vines and coronets. Then, you will learn the techniques of working with diamantes in single stone settings. We will start by pulling wire through the settings, making sparkly diamante stems. Then, we will be pulling wire through the settings again, this time to make diamante branches.
Part 10
10a Branding, Advertising and Public Relations: To create a sound brand, you will need to make a few decisions and keep your business style consistent. Once we go through how to create a solid brand that can set your business apart from your competitors, we will review many different types of advertising, helping you decide how you want to promote your products.
10b Diamantes – Part Two: After you complete this module, you will be able to create many eye-catching decorations with diamantes. The design elements described in this module, such as diamante branches and rosettes made with pearls and diamantes can be used for making statement bridal headpieces as well as smaller items, such as sparkly bridal earrings or pendant necklaces.
Part 11
11a Pricing and Selling: In this module, we will look at how to calculate all types of costs, including direct costs and operational costs. In order to be able to sell products directly to customers and / or to shops, you will need to be able calculate your costs accurately and understand the concept of markup value and markup percentage. We will also discuss various ways of selling bridal accessories.
11b Frames – Part One: In the last two modules, we will be making bridal accessories with built-in wire frames. We will start by making various frames, shaped into petals, flowers and even butterflies. You will see how these frames can be lined with beads or filled with different types of wire mesh. You will also learn how to add a few crystals and pearls to the wire mesh or how to fill the whole frame densely with beads.
Part 12
12a Wholesale: To break through to the wholesale market, supplying bridal accessories to bridal boutiques, you will need to understand the dynamics of the wedding trade market. The aim of this module is to help you decide on your wholesale prices, give you advice on how to approach bridal shop managers and buyers and how to promote your wholesale jewellery range.
12b Frames – Part Two: In the second part of our tutorials that focus on working with frames, you will learn how to attach frames to tiaras, side tiaras as well as to smaller accessories such as hair slides. We will start by making a pair of earrings and a bridal bracelet with a built-in frame. All these techniques can be used for making bridal accessories as well as overstated headdresses that would not look out of place at any red carpet event.