The Birth Of "Bead Between The Lines"

My love affair with beads began when I was 12 yrs old. For my birthday, I was given a small beading craft loom. I have been loom beading on and off ever since. Then in my thirties I was hit by a car. During my long recuperation I took up bead stringing as a way to relieve boredom and help me refocus my mind on something other than the pain I was in.

But, I have always wanted to learn off loom bead weaving. I searched the library and bookstores but, at the time, only a few books were available on these techniques and they didn't offer very clear or detailed instructions. When my computer became Internet accessible, I then took my search to the Internet. I found a plethora of information and began the daunting task of sifting through all the beading Internet sites. From many sites that offered free beading tutorials, I printed up instructions and created (for personal use only) what I call my beading bible. I also printed many free patterns (for personal use, and inspiration). From these tutorials and patterns, I taught myself (and am still learning) many bead weaving techniques. I still use my beading bible as a referral and reference book.

However, after learning how to bead, I wasn't satisfied with just recreating someone else's patterns. I wanted to make my bead work completely my own. So thanks to Leah Kramer, who created a bead graphing program, BeadDesigner, that I found on the Internet for free, I began creating my own patterns and designs.

I have been beading for several years, and family, friends, and strangers alike have been telling me that I should be selling my bead work. But it wasn't until my sister, Patty, asked me to create a few beaded jewelry pieces for a fundraiser that I actually believed that my bead work would sell. She sold every piece that I gave her for a huge amount of money. Much more money than I would have ever thought to charge!!!

I had secretly always wanted to try to sell my bead work, but didn't think I could do it. Well, my sister's fundraiser gave me the confidence, incentive, and courage that I needed. In about 6 weeks I designed and made 20 pairs of bead-woven earrings. I created a picturetrail website, and posted the earrings for sale on my site. I am currently working on bracelets to add to my inventory. Then I will add necklaces, jewelry sets, and accessories.

My business is called,

"Bead Between The Lines"

My web address is,

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines

One of my goals is to have, in the near future, a real commercial website where in addition the the jewelry I have for sale, I will have for sale original beading graph patterns, kits and tutorials.

I hope you will take the time to stop by and visit my site. You just might find something that you like or something that inspires you.

http://www.picturetrail.com/bead_between_the_lines