Hair Accessory Courses - Everything You Need To Know
My bridal hair accessory courses have been so popular since their launch last year, but I know some of you still have questions that you haven’t managed to find the answers for on the course page and shop.
This article will help! And you can ask any other questions here :)
Hi! I’m Sarah…
A bridal accessory designer and educator here to help you design and make your own beautiful headpiece and build your accessory empire!
Why take a course when there are free tutorials online?
I’ll share more about this in another article soon, but basically, you’re not paying for a generic video tutorial with me.
YouTube is great for trying things out, but most of my learners come to me once they’ve exhausted that option and realised they need more help to create what they have in their mind.
Your course is a live session, just you and me, on Zoom. The design you’ll be making is personalised for you, meaning you get to learn how to create exactly what you want, at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home.
If you’re thinking of making and selling accessories as a business, there’s something about investing in your skills - it gives you a more professional mindset towards your work.
Are these courses only aimed at people starting businesses?
Not at all! Anyone can take a course as long as they have a passion to learn! Instead of sharing ideas for getting started in business, I’ll share ways to adapt your accessory for different purposes and encourage you to embrace your creativity and new-found skills.
How long does the course last?
As long as you need it to!
I advise allowing around two hours for your course, as you’ll find that you probably need to get up and move around if you sit for too long!
However, if you need more time, we can work a little longer. And if you feel you need an extra session, we’ll schedule that in, at no extra cost, before the end of our session.
Rest assured, I’m not going to leave you hanging with a half-finished headpiece!
Which course should I start with?
I’m a big believer in trusting your instinct, so choose the accessory you’re most drawn to.
If you’re looking for a more logical answer though, hair vines offer the greatest flexibility in terms of skills, and anything you make in that course can easily be adapted to the other accessories.
I also offer a discount on your second and third courses with me, so if you’d like to try something else later on, you’ll be able to at a reduced price!
Do you run courses in person?
I can do, although that depends on whether you’re happy to travel to me in Weston super Mare! I can travel to you, but there is a small additional fee to cover mileage over 30 miles from where I live.
If that’s not an option, rest assured the experience you’ll get online is as good as the real thing - we’ll be chatting away as if we were in the same room and I can still see and correct any mistakes you might make (and likewise, you can see me make mistakes too, scatter beads on the floor…I live for authenticity and scattered beads and twisted up wire is all part of the process!)
Can I book a group course?
I’m happy to offer group bookings if you’d like to make an accessory with your friends. I also offer a 10% group booking discount on course only options for parties of 6 or more!
For groups, there would be a set design that everyone would follow, but I’ll show you some ways to adapt it to add your personality as we go!
I’m not very creative - is there any point me trying this?
Do you know what? The people who feel they’re not creative are usually the best listeners and follow direction well, meaning if you feel called to take a course with me, you absolutely should!
Every person I’ve worked with who said “I’m not creative” has turned out something beautiful and really enjoyed the experience.
How old do I have to be to take a course with you?
My courses are designed for adults, but there is no upper age limit!
What tools do I need?
If you buy a kit, everything you need will be sent to you.
If you choose the “course only” option, I’ll send you a list of materials and tools along with some suggestions of where to get them. If you have beads at home you’d like to use, I can incorporate them in to your design.
The main tools we’ll be using are our hands! Aside from that, jewellery wire cutters and chain nose pliers are all you need tool-wise.
What’s included in the kit?
If you choose to add a kit to your course, you’ll receive everything you need for your session, including:
Wire cutters and pliers
Jewellery wire in your chosen colour
A beading mat
All the beads you need, plus a few spares
A sketch of your design as a reference guide
For tiara and comb courses, a blank tiara or comb.
Is it cheaper to get the kit or source materials myself?
This comes down to the time-money conundrum!
If you choose to purchase the course only option, I’ll send you a list with some suppliers who I use to get you started. However, you can source your materials at local craft shops or elsewhere online, which can work out cheaper.
When you order a kit through me, you’ll receive the high quality beads that I work with daily, but as I need to cover shipping of the supplies to me, and then postage of the kit to you, it may cost a little more than if you were to source everything yourself.
The benefit to ordering a kit is you don’t have to trail around shops looking for everything you need or worry if you’re buying the right things as I do that work for you, which saves you time and hassle.
If you live internationally, only course only options are available to reduce waiting times for kits to arrive through customs.
Can I learn from anywhere in the world?
As long as you have access to the Internet, you can join me wherever you are in the world! We just need to be mindful when booking your course that the time suits us both, taking in to account time zones.
Will my design look perfect when I’m finished?
It depends how you define perfect!
If perfect means it looks like the sketch, then yes.
I will teach you my tricks for achieving a professional finish, but you may decide you prefer your details more spaced out or longer - that doesn’t take away from the beauty of what you create; it’s merely the starting point of creative discovery, and the accessory world would be very boring if everything looked the same!
My learners have loved their first attempts but have then gone on to practice more, adapt their design and refine their new found skills.
What other support do you offer as part of your courses?
Firstly, support, confidence and empowerment - putting your work out there on display can be daunting but I’m here to tell you that what you make needs to be seen, is worthy of admiration and that you, as a creator, are important and valued.
Secondly, I’ll share ideas for how to adapt your design so you can start your first collection.
Thirdly, I’ll share my tips for how to photograph your work, where to share it and how to start selling online. I can offer advice on creating a website too!
Finally, you’ll receive a few videos to learn some additional skills and you are more than welcome to contact me at any time for support and guidance.
Why don’t you offer courses to make hair pins?
You want it? You got it! Let me know here!
If you have any other questions, email me here and I’ll be happy to help!