Shopping for Beads: Internet vs. The Bead Store

I know the internet is fabulous. Who doesn’t think so? For those of you who have no other choice, the internet is a huge blessing that you probably would suffer without since becoming accustomed to the ease and speed of browsing and shopping on the web. There’s no arguing that the web rocks, but so do bead stores...and let me tell you why.

Entering into a bead wonderland

Walking though the doors of your favorite local bead shop is like being Dorothy on the threshold of Oz. Especially in the winter months when its dreary and gray outside, a friendly beading environment bursting with color and warmth can be just what you need to get the juices flowing. Far from an ordinary store since you’re able to be among people of your own ilk.  Its a place where expertise shines to illuminate a pathway to regroup, learn and share your love and knowledge of beads.

A good place to start

If you’re a beginner, arriving in a bead store means you have a plethora of opportunity ahead of you! A quick scan will reveal all the different ways to branch out in beading… from wire to stringing to weaving and more. It can be a bit intimidating with its overwhelming selection, but fear not. Start small and work your way through one step at a time. My best advice whether you’re new to beading or not, is to take a browse around. Yes, even if you consider yourself a seasoned beader, you can gain a lot by just taking a walk through. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll discover that’s new. And I don’t mean only new products. You could cultivate a new interest.

Taking it all in

Strands of beads in gorgeous colors fill baskets, boxes and shelves. Sometimes unexpected color combinations laid out haphazardly will spur on your creative juices and prevent you from taking home your predictable bland pallet of safe neutrals. Taking this leap of faith allows you to widen your comfort zone and grow into a more seasoned beader. Once you’ve had a look at the variety of options available to you, its time to allow yourself a bead project adventure!

Spreading your bead wings

Encouraging creativity and experimentation is a day to day philosophy in any given bead store. In nearly every one (Including The Beadin’ Path) you’ll find an area to sit and create, sort of a ‘design lab’ to experiment with colors, techniques or bump shoulders with other beaders. If you’re feeling insecure about your abilities or choices of beads, then this area is a great place to sit and contemplate and summon up your courage. Often other beaders or store staff will give you a jumpstart and point you in a direction.

Quenching the thirst

Feel as though you need more direct instruction? Bead stores have a variety of offered classes that gives a hands on approach to beading, and also gives the opportunity to learn from a master beader. Questions, help and suggestions are always welcome, and you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn from other students as well. Although you have an opportunity to learn from tutorials, videos and downloaded directions for bead projects via the web, those virtual media lessons don't hold a candle to actually being in a bead environment and learning hands on. Aside from being surrounded by every material you could possibly use in your project, you have the benefit of beady banter with a professional instructor.

Fulfilling the bead need

I’ve done my share of surfing bead sites, looking for inspiring fulfillment, and to be honest, I’d walk away from my computer every time if I had the chance to go local and spend time in the real thing. I get that rejuvenating spa-like feeling, like waking up refreshed from a great nap or a sugar rush from a sweet oatmeal raisin cookie binge! I am beader, hear me roar!

To sum up

I’m all for the internet. In fact, I like nothing better than to sneak on line for a bit while my kids are distracted by Go Diego Go so I can see what’s been posted on my favorite blogs or gander at new beads that have appeared overnight. But the bead store is an event in itself, and one you should take advantage of whenever you can. The doors are open wide… come on in!

“My nephew is only 3, but has a fantastic love of beads. Until the day he complained that his nose hurt… and you guessed it. There was one of my beloved round Italian foils lodged in his nostril. After a visit to the doctor, I gifted that bead to his Mom, my sister, to keep in his baby book as a funny reminder of his bead adventure. Hope it doesn’t scare him away from beads altogether. I guess we’ll wait until he’s older to find out.”   ~ Jackie Sunderland, beader