The Art of Bead Embroidery

Ages: 18+
Term: Autumn
Length: 10 weeks

Overview

This 10-week course gives you the opportunity to explore a popular style of embellishment through bead embroidery.

Want to book this course? This course isn't taking bookings at the moment, but we expect to publish our new course dates and open for bookings in April 2026. Make sure you’re the first to know when you can book our short courses by signing up for updates using the link below.

About this course

This hands-on course is designed for absolute beginners who want to learn the beautiful, meditative craft of bead embroidery. You'll explore traditional and modern techniques, work with vibrant beads and textiles and create your own wearable art or decorative pieces.

This exciting course will explore bead embroidery. You'll discover the vast variety of techniques used to create multiple items such as jewellery, bookmarks and decorative art.

Through demos and hands-on experience, you'll have the opportunity to experiment with unique styles, as well as working with colour theory and stitching skill. Bead embroidery creates endless space for creative projects – whether you're embellishing an item of clothing or creating a framed piece of art, you’ll be able to create your own items unique to your style.

What’s more, you’ll learn in a stimulating creative environment in which innovation, originality and excellence are encouraged.

Overview of bead embroidery: history, applications and styles
Stitching techniques
Colour Theory
Motif design
Tutor demonstrations and hands-on practice
Texture and layering

At the end of the course, you'll:

Be prepared and confident in taking the next step in your creative journey, including pursuing further academic studies.
Have an understanding of the basic principles, alternative, and advanced techniques to construct and create bead embroidery.
Possess broadened practical and technical skills.
Have increased confidence in your own skills and potential and feel inspired.
Be able to visually communicate your ideas and develop your creative visual voice.
Possess improved artistic skills.
Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired.
Have boosted creativity and imagination.
Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course.
You can request a certificate to confirm your achievements, providing you've a 100% attendance record. To request a certificate please get in touch with us at academy@aub.ac.uk and confirm your name and the title of course you've completed.

Will I be assessed?

No, there's no formal assessment. As the course progresses, your tutor will measure your overall performance and offer essential guidance and feedback so you know how you're getting on.

What you need to know

Autumn term 2025

Monday 6 October – 8 December 2025 (10 Monday evenings, 18.00-21.00)

Age

Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Level

Beginners or anyone with some experience who want to refresh or develop their skills further.

Experience or qualifications required

None – this is an introductory course. We have no formal academic entry requirements for our short courses.

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: academy@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£359

Any additional costs

You may wish to purchase further materials to suit your chosen project ideas. This may then incur an additional cost of your choice, but isn't a requirement. Some beads and required materials will be provided by AUB Academy.

Notebook
Pens and pencils
Sketchbook
Glasses (for close-up work)

A student stands painting two cherries in a sketch book.

Suggested Suppliers

Information about resourcing specialist materials/consumables that you may need to bring these with you

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AUB Academy FAQs – Evening and Weekend and Saturday Art School

If you have any questions about our Evening and Saturday Short Courses, you may find the answers in here.

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AUB Academy booking T&Cs

Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully before booking onto our Evening and Weekend courses.

Bead embroidery gallery

Close up of a hat with different patterns of bead embroidery over it.

A pair of blue earrings in an abstract, geometric pattern, embroidered with green beads.

Close-up of a embroidery hoop decorated with string and embroidered with different coloured beads

Three plant-like sculptures made of different-coloured and sized beads.

Close-up of someone holding a pair of child's shoes. One is embroidered with a floral pattern in beads.

Close-up of a pocket on a pair of jeans decorated with red, orange and green abstract bead patterns.

Close-up of several different-coloured and sized beads on a wooden plate.

Close-up of an assortment of beads in different shapes and colours on a piece of white fabric.

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your bead embroidery skills with another short course or look to the future and explore our creative qualifications that can prepare you to further your current career, enable you to retrain to an alternative career path or prepare you for future creative arts studies.