Sara Withers
I like to start by teaching as a group and move quite quickly to individual work. Students will have a mixture of group demonstrations and individual attention. I like to create a relaxed environment.
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?They will go away with many pieces of jewellery that they have created and a good grounding in basic techniques for working with wire, polymer clays and bead jewellery design.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?My courses are based on skills that are easy for students to practise at home without a lot of equipment or chemicals.
What inspires your own work?Different beads and semi precious stones I’m always amazed at what can be wired or threaded together. Or what can be made from polymer clay.
Where can students see examples of your work?My website has a gallery of my designs and gives details of the galleries and shops that have my work.
Where did you gain your training?
I’m largely self taught.
Books and articles:I have had six books of bead jewellery projects published. Also I co-authored ‘The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques’. I have had articles published about the Arkell bead collection which is in the Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford
Professional groups and societies:I am a member of the Bead Society of Great Britain and the Oxfordshire Craft Guild.