Tag Archives: handmade

Do You Want to Bead?

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MY ADVENTURE

I reinvented myself 5 years ago when I was 68 and what an adventure it has been.  For some people an adventure could be caving, mountain climbing, traveling, tantric sex, cooking, canoeing, hiking and more.  My adventure has been in the realm of BEADS, all kinds of beads. I never knew there were Druk , Vintage, Czech, Lampwork, Crystal, Sea Glass, Seed, Bugle, Semi-precious, Glass & Picasso beads, just to name a few & impress you with my acquired knowledge.

SO MANY BEADS

Over these past 5 years I have amassed hundreds (I hope not thousands) of beads & have turned my dining room into my storage & working studio.  I bead almost daily, love working in natural light & if you ask anyone who has ever tried beading they will agree that it is addictive .In addition to these gorgeous beads there are many types of findings, clasps, wire, metals, tools. I think you get the point & so no need to try to impress you with how much I have learned & acquired

WHAT ELSE?

When I first started beading I had no plan, no goals, just wanted to make beaded jewelry.  Selling & marketing became another adventure to learn & I HAD TO conquer my reluctance to use a computer.  Now, I can’t imagine not being on my PC every day for 3-5 hours. Oh Yes, I made it into a business.

MAKING MONEY?

I am often asked if I am making any money. I keep records with organized files, folders, receipts & documents for IRS & NYS sales tax people. Recently hired an accountant who gently suggested I resist more bead purchases, create from inventory & if I keep to the plan, could turn a profit. Talking to a declared shopaholic, this is not easy!.

OTHER SKILLS

Once computer technology became less elusive, I had to take on improving my photography skills. Yes, that too. Armed with a point & shoot, I depend heavily on photo editing tools. My age continues to advance  as my interest in setting up outdoor craft shows diminish. Given the future is over the internet, I am moving more in that direction, however I will not stop being a vendor at indoor craft fairs. I would miss meeting my customers face to face & learning about your preferences, styles & jewelry needs.

A BLESSING

It has been very cathartic & enlightening to write about my adventure into beading. Daily I thank the universe for presenting me once again with challenges, giving me the courage & opportunity to grow. If beading is a creative expression  & passion for you, then go for it. It’s never too late to start again!

LAUNCH

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Many to choose from

SAMPLING

Recently I thought back to when I was a day away from launching my BeadZbyRoz website & my business was less than 1 year old. How did it really happen?  Making beaded jewelry was a newly discovered hobby after I took a 2 hour beading class. I remember falling instantly in love with the sparkle & glisten of crystal & glass beads & quickly made 25 necklaces for holiday gifts. Then, I couldn’t stop. My hands had a life of their own and I kept beading.

Eventually I whined to a dear friend, “What do I do with all my stuff. I don’t want to stop?”  She said, “sell them”. I hated the idea of selling & preferred giving away things or my services. I guess I had a belief that being altruistic was holier than making money.

DISCOVERY:

So how did I ever get to the point of creating a website?  I didn’t even know how to use a digital camera or navigate on the computer.  What I did know was that I had found my true creative passion. I had tried other crafts but never went too far with them.  When I rediscovered knitting everyone got fabulous winter scarves but never a sweater because all I knew was basic knit/purl & couldn’t follow a pattern.

The exciting aspect of creating a real website was that I wanted to expand my design capability which meant going into NYC to purchase beads, rather than from my local craft stores. That first bead shopping trip was overwhelming & most exciting. I couldn’t imagine what I would do with all the strands of semi-precious stones, crystals, Czech glass, Tibetan beads I bought.  I had gotten carried away by my compulsive shopping gene.

MOVING FORWARD:

Another friend suggested the name of my company, BeadZbyRoZ, all with ZZZZZ. Again, a friend to the rescue & a business card was created.  A few more house parties as my inventory grew & then I came to a full stop.

What was I doing? Did I really want a business which meant marketing, accounting, taxes, craft shows, loading, setting up a tent? The only aspect I knew I loved was the buying & building up my stash, looking at all my beads in boxes & trays on my dining room table, handling the beads & finally, creating beautiful necklaces. I was really stuck. I had more bead strands in my dining room than some stores & my passion was still high for creativity, but was this what I really wanted & was I up to it?

MY ESSENCE:

I decided after soul searching that what I was up to was more than just a hobby. It was a way to make a difference in a very different way than I had ever imagined. The incredible part of my journey is that I have grown in unpredictable ways.  With the help of friends, I learned how to use a camera, download, edit & manage photos. My son, who lives in another state & is a computer engineer & I talk often as he walks me through technology. I have real computer skills now.  My daughter took up the  craft , we sometimes bead together & she helps me in our business. She says my creations remind her of all the pottery shopping trips we took while growing up.

It is clear to me that I wouldn’t have reached the point of launch without the support, expertise & generousity of my friends & family & for that I have much gratitude. Although I often came close to mini breakdowns, I LOVE what I am doing. I didn’t know I had these talents or abilities & now I do know “it is never too late to start again.”