Welcome to my favorite season of the year. Although I'm not a big fan of hot, humid weather, a nice comfy sundress and a backyard barbecue top the list of my favorite things about summer.

Benefits of a Bead Class
Being an editor and a teacher makes my schedule challenging. Although my job as an editor is considered part-time, the addition of teaching jobs, whether in a store or at shows, keeps me clocked in well over the traditional 40-hour week. Teaching not only keeps me "in the loop" of the bead world, it is one of my greatest joys. Beading classes are an incredibly fun place to spend some time, for learners and teachers alike.

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My beading classes are designed to show a specific project or technique. But my goal is also to show participants more than just the featured project. Most of the people I teach take more than one class, and I often feel as if they have heard my advice about wire over and over. This makes adding a few extra hints a key part of my classes. There is no greater goal than to have a student who has taken my class say, "I learned so much today."

But classes aren't just about the interaction between teacher and student. Teachers are only one source of the informational exchange that takes place. Student-to-student interaction is a part of every class, and the information exchanged includes color choices, bead options and alternate approaches to techniques. If a new student sits next to a student who has taken a lot of classes, the experienced beaders are usually enthusiastic to share their knowledge.

The sharing nature of beaders always comes across in the classroom. If you haven't taken a class before, you might be surprised by how much or what you learn. Most local bead stores offer classes or demonstrations that are reasonably priced or even free.

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Making the Most of Your Classes

Come to class prepared. If you have a list of supplies and tools needed for the class, make certain that you bring them with you, or check with the class venue or teacher for kits and materials.

Ask questions. It may be cliché to say there are no stupid questions, but it's easier to ask in class and experience a momentary twinge of embarrassment than it is to try and figure it out on your own. A good teacher would rather answer your question than have you be dissatisfied with your learning experience.

Bring your own tools when possible. If you don't have the required tools or materials, find out whether they will be provided. If not, you may need to purchase a new tool or supply. Stores that offer classes usually have everything you need on hand. Guest instructors normally bring kits or additional supplies when needed.

If there is a prerequisite, "know before you go." Teachers assign prerequisites to ensure that students have the knowledge and experience to complete the class project. It isn't worth frustrating yourself by getting in over your head.

Practice makes perfect. Once you've finished taking your class, devotesome time and practice to what you learned during the first week after taking the class. This exponentially increases your chances of retaining what you've learned. If a handout is provided, put it in a binder or other safe place for later reference.

Taking a class is an opportunity to learn something new, meet other beaders and come home with a great new piece of jewelry. The most important thing to remember about taking a class is that you are there to have fun.

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Surprising Sequins Design by Kristine M. Frye Sequins aren't just for crafting anymore! These stacked stunners have a whole new look. Materials 1 package 8mm red sequins 12 (6mm) silver spacers 4 (4mm) Siam Swarovski crystal bicone beads 6 (5mm) silver jump rings 4 (2-inch) silver eye pins 4 silver head pins 2 silver ear wires 2 1/4 inches silver fine-link chain Round-nose pliers Chain-nose pliers Wire nippers Finished Size 3 1/2 inches long Instructions 1) Slide the following on an eye pin: silver spacer, 3/8 inch of sequins, silver spacer, 3/8 inch of sequins and a silver spacer. Form a wrapped loop after last spacer. Trim excess wire. Set aside. Repeat three additional times. 2) Cut chain into two 3/8-inch lengths and two 3/4-inch lengths. Use a jump ring to attach a piece of chain to each eye pin. 3) Open a jump ring and slide on end links of a short and long chain; attach ring to ear wire. Close jump ring. Repeat for second earring. 4) Slide a bicone crystal onto a head pin; form a wrapped loop after crystal, attaching loop to bottom loop of an eye pin before wrapping. Trim excess wire. Repeat to attach a bicone crystal to each eye pin. Sources: Chain from Blue Moon Beads; sequins from Westrim Crafts; silver spacers from Hobby Lobby Stores Inc.; jump rings, eye pins, head pins and ear wires from Bead Source Inc.; crystals from Swarovski North America. Copyright © April 2008 Simply Beads magazine. All rights reserved. Back to top. Click here for printer friendly page.

Feedback on Jewelry Storage
Elaine Pack's query about how to store your jewelry garnered a record number of responses. Following are just a few of the suggestions from other readers.

From Kathy Duso:

My husband made me a large wooden holder -- it's a large piece of wood with large cup hooks spaced out on the front. I hung it on the wall of my bedroom. It's a large board, and I probably have over 50 -- 75 necklaces stored on it. It's a great way to see what you have, and choose what you want to wear.

From Kathy Niklas-Varasso:

I went to one of the commercial display sites for people who sell their jewelry (I used Nilecorp.com). It was easy to find T-shaped stands that hold 40 necklaces or bracelets at one time, and several of them fit nicely on a dresser or bookshelf.

From Pam Bower:

To help store my jewelry, I hang bracelets and chokers on an old cup holder that has pegs on it. I can get several on each peg. I also mounted cup hooks onto a board that I hung on the wall.

From Betsy Beech:

When I began making necklaces, I had a problem storing them. I discovered my husband's never-used old tie rack behind the bedroom door. It's a metal bar with 2 tiers of wires to hold the ties, about 18 in all. The top bar moves back and forth so ties (or necklaces) can be easily removed and then pushed back flat against the wall.

From Georgette Fraction:

I make a lot of bracelet/earring sets and plan to use translucent-plastic storage boxes that are used for embroidery floss to store them. The compartments are deep enough to hold my finished sets.

From Roseanne Moffitt:

In regards to storing everyday jewelry, I have my necklaces sorted by color. I use a metal shower hook for each color. I then hang them from a tie rack.

From Gail Whitehead:

My mother found all kinds of displays at a local school supply store. The prices are very affordable.

These are just a few of the long list of suggestions I received. Cup hooks and tie racks seem to be popular choices for improvised storage. Many respondents mentioned putting out-of-season jewelry away to prevent tarnishing and minimize dust collection, which is a great suggestion. Don't forget anti-tarnish strips if you have a lot of silver or copper jewelry.

Here are some additional resources for Internet research fans:

JoyfulAbode.com
Organizeit.com
HomeStorageConcepts.com

Using the reader suggestions and a little Internet research, I purchased an 80-compartment hanging storage bag for some of my own jewelry! This allows me to see everything, keep it dust-free and store it with anti-tarnish strips! I would like to thank all of the helpful readers who shared their tips and hope this helps give Elaine some innovative ideas.

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