I think there is a definite technique just like with any other hobby or craft. There is always going to be a learning curve. I still have the bag of my very first beads that I ever made and they look awful, absolutely horrendous, but I look at them and say, "Wow! Look how far I have come."
So there is definitely something you have to learn and perfect, but the whole process is fun. I believe anybody can do it. You wouldn't even believe how big the beading craze is.
It was a hobby for me that turned into a business totally unintentionally. I would be wearing something I made and somebody would ask if I could make one for them. I was just going to try my luck at going to different art shows and it turned out people liked my stuff.
Q: Do you host art shows?
No, I don't host shows. However, one of my dear friends asked me to show her how to make beads and now she has gone so far with it that she is a show promoter. She runs a huge bead show in Madison, Wisconsin. I had nothing to do with the show except for her being me friend, but we were absolutely thrilled at the turnout because there was nothing like this in Madison. Madison is a huge city and we get the Bead and Button show that comes to Milwaukee, but Madison is an hour and half away. People were so thrilled and I think we turned a whole bunch of people on to beading. There aren't very many bead stores in Madison.
I don't have a lot of interest in promoting shows myself. My interest is in just making jewelry. I have told my husband a million times that when it's not fun anymore I just won't do it. I don't do it to sell. I sell it because I have it. I just really, really enjoy doing it. If I am having a stressful day I will say, "Tomorrow I am taking a Diane Day and I am just going to play with beads."
Q: Does it take major concentration in order to make jewelry?
It depends upon how intricate the project is that you are doing. There are many things that I can do literally while sitting in front of the television. A lot of time I will bead at night because if I am just watching TV, I will fall asleep, so that keeps me keep me going. I do a lot of beading at night. It's very therapeutic to me.
Q: Is it less expensive or more expensive to make your own jewelry vs. buying it?
In my opinion, it's less expensive to make your own jewelry. You can go to your local K-Mart or Wal-Mart and buy a necklace that looks really pretty for $20. But the quality is not going to be what it could be if you made it yourself. If you use good quality material and you care for them properly, the pieces you make yourself will last a lifetime.
Another perk of making your own jewelry is that when you have a particular outfit that you need jewelry for you can make something yourself that matches perfectly instead of having to go out and search the department stores.
It's also really fun to have people notice your jewelry and be amazed that you made it yourself. That's a nice feeling.
