Passion or addiction? I still can't decide, but if you knew me and my addictive personality personally, (chocolate,
anyone?), you might say addiction. Either way, it all started with dear, sweet, Julia. Back in the summer of 2001. My
husband, children and myself were visiting our cherished friend, Julia, in Tennessee and I bought her a bracelet from a
lady who had set up a table in town with all kinds of beads and charms. What fun! I chose the beads and clasp, paid
for it, walked away and thought, I want one, too! I walked right back over and ordered the same exact bracelet for
myself as an early birthday present. It seemed like a really creative way to make a living and it brought back memories
from b.c. (before children) when I would indulge in such selfish activities as scouring antiques stores and flea markets
for old beads, buttons and lace. Then September 11th happened. Living in California at the time, and feeling totally
helpless, I started making red, white and blue flag pins with seed beads and safety pins. Selling hundreds of the pins for
charity not only made me feel like I was doing something tangible to help out, it also gave me the confidence to begin
my own beading business.
The research began in earnest in early 2002. I spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours scouring beading supply ads,
web sites and catalogs. I ordered beads, I returned beads, I ordered more beads, always looking for the highest
quality and unique designs. I learned by trial and error how to make bracelets, taking one basic beading class at a local
bead shop. I learned which stringing products and findings worked the best, and which didn't. I actually did recalls on
items I had strung and sold, or gave as gifts, as I discovered at a later date that they should have been made in a way
that was more durable. I learned that starting your own jewelry business is not as easy as it looks.
I began teaching beading classes in 2005 in Virginia and continue to teach them here in Anthem, Arizona. I knew there
were others out there as passionate as I and I thought, why not share my enthusiasm? Why have them reinvent the
wheel, spending countless hours doing research when I can share the results of my efforts with them? It has been quite
a rewarding experience. I view my students not as my potential competition, but as my fellow beading fanatics. Their
design sense inspires me and I often learn as much from them as they from me!
Debbie