Expert: Pamela Welborn - 8/18/2006

Question
Hi,
I went to visit my girlfriend in AZ earlier this year and we went to a bead shop and the owner showed us the beginnners steps in learing how to bead. I made a necklace that I have received many compliments on. There were a ton of bead shops in AZ.

Well, I come back home to NJ and in my area there are only 2 bead shops. I went to one so far and there were teenagers working there that were more concerned about their weekend plans then helping customers. The other shop is a bit away but I am going to try to make it there someday. In the mean time do you know any good websites to buy beads where you don't have to buy them in bulk? Also, can you recommend some basic beginnners books? Any other ideas for someone just starting out? Thanks.

Answer
Well there are tons of resources on the net.  
Here are a few:

My own web site has some tutorials
violetbead.com

I run a group on yahoo groups that is covering one technique a month:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/learn2bead

bead-patterns.com has tons of paid and free projects.
bead-patternsmag.com


there are tons of projects here:
http://beadwork.about.com/popular.htm

and a few good ones here
http://whimbeads.com//cart.asp?pg=classroom

and a site to buy beads not in bulk is:
http://whimbeads.com

they have the largest selection and great prices and service.

There are also lots of kits at
http://www.buythekit.com  


Pamela Welborn

Beading Design Creation and Instruction - http://www.violetbead.com
Buy My Kits -  http://www.buythekit.com  
Check out my Blog - http://www.violetbead.blogspot.com