Private Lessons

Contact Melanie@fireflycarrboro.com with any questions
Private Lessons:
Fees are due at the time of reservation. If you’re interested in some basic to advanced techniques in jewelry making, we can offer a private lesson for up to 3-4 beaders at a time.
If you are interested in a class you see on our DIY with Firefly Events Calendar but cannot attend on the day we have scheduled, we can honor that price as a private lesson on a day that works best for you (some exceptions apply depending on the class listed.) Contact Melanie@fireflycarrboro.com if you have more questions about this.
See the custom lesson options and/or the basic lesson options listed below. Make sure to read lesson descriptions completely so you can plan accordingly.
APPOINTMENT TIMES: Private Lessons can be scheduled with either Melanie or Gracen. Please email them at Melanie@fireflycarrboro.com and Gracen@fireflycarrboro.com and one of them should be able to accommodate a time that works best for you.
Store Private Lesson Policy:
- Your name, phone number and email will be required at the time of reservation.
- Payment is sometimes due at the time of reservation. You may either pay in-store or we can send you an invoice via email.
- Give the staff 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel. A refund cannot be given but we can reschedule your session.
- Should your instructor, Melanie or Gracen, have to cancel due to reasons unknown, you will be given a full refund or an option to reschedule.
- Please be respectful of others who may have lessons after yours and arrive at your lesson on time. Should you be more than 10 minutes late, we will have to reschedule.
Basic Lessons
- Basic Stringing + Crimping | $35/person (see below picture for details)
- Basic Wire-Linking | $45/person (see below picture for details)
Custom Lesson (ages 13+):
- You may bring in jewelry to rework, take apart and re-purpose, or learn a technique of your choice. Speak with Melanie about what you’re interested in learning and she'll let you know whether or not she can accommodate you and about how much your custom lesson would cost.
- A 10% discount will be given on materials/tools you buy during your lesson, otherwise, you're more than welcome to use our tools if needed!
- Costs vary for custom lessons, but typically are priced as follows:
- $50/person for 1 hour (does not include the cost of beads)
- $75/person for 2 hours (does not include the cost of beads)
- $125/person for 3 hours (does not include the cost of beads)
- We can accommodate the following techniques for custom lessons:
- Bead Weaving: Square Stitch, Peyote Stitch, Brick Stitch
- Knotting
- Multi-Strand Crimping
- Crimping
- Wire-Linking
- Re-Working of Jewelry/Problem Solving of Projects
We offer the following BASIC lessons:

{Beginner} Basic + Crimping: Lesson lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours and includes basic beading instruction, jump ring or split ring opening/closing and crimping instruction. You will leave with a finished necklace or eyeglass chain.
- $35 | Beads + Materials Included
- Lesson is for ages 10 and up
- Price includes beads, 36” beading wire, crimps, jump or split rings, and a basic lobster claw clasp. You may use our tools during the lesson.
- Miyuki glass, seed beads ARE included in this price. Size 11/0 to size 6/0.
- Should you decide to use other beads or to shop around after the lesson, you will receive a 10% discount on any beads/materials/tools bought at the time of the class.

{Beginner} Basic Wire-Link Lesson (ages 13+): Lesson lasts about 1-1.5 hours and instructs you on how to create links using a wire-wrap coil technique. You will learn how to attach a clasp or other finding with a wire-wrap and how to create a small charm using a headpin. You should be able to leave with a finished bracelet or earrings or at least with the knowledge on how to finish them.
- $45 | Wire + Beads Included
- Lesson is for ages 13 and up
- Price includes copper or silver-plated metal wire, headpins, and a base metal lobster claw clasp. You may use our tools during this lesson.
- Beads ARE included. You will be able to select from tumbled glass, synthetic stone, or Chinese crystal.
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Should you decide to use other beads or to shop around after the lesson, you will receive a 10% discount on any beads/materials/tools bought at the time of the class.