Summer excitement — and beads

Posted Thu, Jun 25 2009 11:29 AM by lweiss

Just because the Bead&Button Show is over doesn’t mean we get to relax. There’s a lot going on in the beading world right now!

First, if you want to add some sparkle to your summer, it’s not too late to get Brilliant Crystal Jewelry 2. I’m planning to wear my own version of Lynne Soto’s “Round and round we go” spiral rope necklace to a wedding this weekend. And I’ve made a few pairs of Katia Trebeau’s “Fleurs de crystal” earrings for gifts. I love how quickly I can make a pair of those earrings!

Second, if you are interested in entering next year’s Bead Dreams competition, or teaching at the 2010 Bead&Button Show, make sure you read Ann Dee’s recent blog post. She gives you all the information you need. Remember, the deadline for teacher applications is July 31, 2009.

I’ve had a few readers ask me about how they can get started teaching or selling their own original designs. I personally think summer is a great time to start. Now is the time when a lot of local recreation departments or community centers start looking to line up their fall classes, and they are a great place to start teaching. Don’t be afraid to ask at your local bead store – even if they don’t host classes or outside teachers, they might have some advice to share. And lastly, the Bead&Button forum is, as usual, a fantastic resource. We have a lot of experienced teachers who are always willing to share their knowledge with us.

As for selling your original designs, local craft fairs and farmers markets are a good place to start. Check your local newspapers or online city guides to find out what’s coming up in your area, and be sure to look at our Events Calendar. It looks like there are some great shows coming up across the U.S. in July! Remember, sometimes the deadlines are well in advance of the event – vendor deadlines for big shows are often six months to a year before the event. Even if you’ve missed the deadlines, visiting an event can be a great way to look at what works and what doesn’t, giving you clues to help you succeed when you have a booth of your own. And it can help you determine which shows you might want to be a part of and which wouldn’t suit you.

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