Perhaps you've recently been to a bead shop or saw an expensive piece of jewelery that you'd like to create yourself for a lot less $$$. Whatever has inspired you, once you've decided to start beading, it can be a real chaotic adventure into the beading world for the first time. Being relatively new to beading myself, but old enough to know better, I can offer up a few tips to get you started.
Where to shop: There are some nice bead stores on the web. A couple of my favorites are www.eebeads.com and http://www.etsy.com/shop/caladoniamarch. However, for your first project I recommend an in-store visit. Find out where your local bead shop is and go there.
Beads, beads everywhere!: A bead store can be very overwhelming and some are better than others. The key is to narrow your focus. Before you do that though, you might consider browsing though the entire shop first. Don't pick anything out just yet. Just look. Once you've seen what's out there and how the store is organized, then you can decide on a color, a look, or find beads that will accent a pendant you have. If you have any pieces of the project already picked out then you can focus on beads to go with that. Concentrate on one project and until it's complete, don't worry about your next project just yet.
Clasps, Earrings, and String: My favorite stringing material is 49-strand, 0.018', stainless steel. It's super strong and durable. If you were going for an elastic or stretchy material then ask the bead store what their recommendation is. Make sure if you're making a necklace or bracelet that you buy a clasp and crimp beads (to hold everything together). A set of beginner beading tools can be purchased for about $25, but if you can borrow a friends then do that until you know how serious you are about it.
Putting it Together: If you have a friend or family member that already beads then ask them to assist you in the basics. Most bead stores will help you get started and some will even walk you through the whole process. I had a little help from a friend and a little from a nice bead store in Duck, NC to get me started.
The Finished Product: Once you are finished, be proud of yourself. It may not be perfect (most likely not) and it may not be as you envisioned. Don't worry, all artists feel that way. As I've gotten better I've re-made some of my earlier pieces.
Future Projects: As you were putting together your first project, you probably were already thinking about what you want to do next. That's great! You're ready to visit the bead store with purpose! Don't buy too many beads at first. Take it one project at a time until you feel comfortable with the process.
I'm happy to help if you have questions or comments. I teach for a living so that's what I'm best at. These tips are just for getting started. Once you're on your way a whole slew of problems and questions will come about. Happy beading!
My shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pentagoth79
