Resources for Newbie

Welcome LilyFlower!

Here's a few sources:

Dr. Sooz's Links List
http://www.lampwork.net/soozlinkslist.html

And lots of good official rec.crafts.beads info:
Bead Notes: Beading information A through Z
http://www.lampwork.net/beadnotes.html
~~
Sooz

Hi LilyFlower:
i live in Waltham and there are several nice bead stores within about 10
miles. Two of them have classes, although I've never taken any.
I have shopped at all of the stores for quick, immediate gratification, or
middle of a project necessity, but buy the majority of my beads wholesale
when I can.
You can drop a line offline if you wish, and I can "talk"to your more about
what's in the is area if you want to.

theprincessofnj at yahoo dot com

Lisa
"LilyFlower" wrote in message
om...
Hi! I'm interested in making beaded jewelry, and possibly eventually
my own beads. I'd love your advice in getting started. I live in the
Boston area.
1. Do you know of beading classes, and how good are they?
2. What are the best resources for beads and materials, as
inexpensive as possible, or even, possibly wholesale sources?
3. What kind of beading do you like?
Thank you so much for your resonse.
LilyFlower

1. Do you know of beading classes, and how good are they?

I'm not in Boston (California), but I can vouch for beading classes in a
general way. They changed my world.
~~
Sooz

no address change...been on yahoomail for a thousand years. ANYWAY, just
sent you an email from my addy, so that you can just respond.

looking forward to hearing from you.

lisa
"LilyFlower" wrote in message
om...
"lgreene" wrote in message
...
it's crystal blue beads in watertown, and i was just there today picking
up
a clasp!!!

it does have a lot of classes...i've never been to any, but it has the
entire schedule on the wall and i am sure on its website.

lisa
"Cheryl" wrote in message
...
I believe
there is a store named "blue moon" or
"CRYSTAL MOON" beads -
been a long time - I can't remember the name... .They have a lot of
classes -
I used to get their newsletter.
I visited their store once on a trip...
they had a large selection and seemed very nice...

LISA: Thanks for your tips and your offer to answer more questions.
I tried to sent you e-mails and they claim you are not on yahoo! Has
your address changed? You can e-mail me at

Cheryl
DRAGON BEADS
Flameworked beads and glass
http://www.dragonbeads.com/

Kathy N-V wrote:

We live in a bead desert. _Everywhere_ has more and better local
bead stores than we do: the Gobi Desert, the outer planets, other
dimensions, everywhere.

The UK is in the same continuum as you are.

Expense is a relative thing when it comes to beadworking. The cheap
seed beads you see in craft stores or Wal-mart are really the most
expensive type, by far. About a year ago, I did an experiment with
such beads and similar ones from Japan. By the time I threw out all
the unusable beads (like ones with no holes, or so misshapen they'd
wreck a project), it turned out that the seemingly expensive Japanese
beads were the most economical. They also made the nicest looking
finished product.

It's the hardest thing to get used to when starting out in any sort of art
or craft, paying for good materials is cheaper in the long run, as you
pointed out the beads are better and you waste less. Good stringing
materials make all the difference too, between having a good piece and one
you worry about wearing.

Stick around and look at the Links List. Sooz has compiled a list of
the best of the best, and you can find whatever you want here.

http://www.lampwork.net/soozlinkslist.html

Sooz is ruthless in her criteria for being put on the list, and you
needn't worry about buying from any of the vendors on there. Also,
keep reading and posting to this group: the regulars here are very
good about ferreting out new sources and giving recommendations.

I have learned so much from Sooz's list. It's one of the most valuable
resources you can find for beading online.

As for what kind of beading I like - the answer is all of it. I
started with stringing beads, like most people. I've learned a lot
about beadweaving and historical beadwork. The whole field of
beadwork is enormous, and no one person could begin to cover it all.

This struck me once again while looking through back issues of bead
magazines. It's all good, and there's so much of it that I doubt I'll ever
find time to learn every technique I like. Beading is a wide-open world,
with some fantastic people and amazing pieces everywhere you go.

For me, I like beaded beads and stringing beads and just holding the beads I
own. And planning new items. Once my son goes to school full-time in
September I'll have a chance to turn my dreams into something real, I can't
wait!

-Su

Thank you so much for all your work in creating it!
LilyFlower

Aww, you are so nice.
~~
Sooz