Auntie's Beads Blog – Beading & Jewelry Making

For The Love Of Beads!
The very first job I ever had was working for a jewelry store that sold Native American handmade jewelry. We had an onsite certified jeweler who could do everything from soldering to setting stones, but he often didn’t have time to do simple things like making charm bracelets or restringing broken necklaces. So I learned… Though I became quite addicted to beading at the time and learned a lot about gemstones, findings, and components, I put all my beads and goodies away when I went to college. I was studying liberal arts and didn’t have much money or time for hobbies and crafts.

It wasn’t until I was a social worker that beads resurfaced in my life and the love affair began again, this time for good. It all started with a necklace I bought to wear as part of a Halloween costume, believe it or not. After Halloween was over, I loved the pendant so much that I wanted to find a way to incorporate it into my wardrobe in a completely different way. So I went to a local craft store and perused the bead aisles for an hour. I walked out with all the necessary beads and findings to create not only that necklace but several others.

I found beading so relaxing that I continued to create pieces at night without any idea in mind where my jewelry would end up or where my skill set would take me. When friends and family members saw my pieces, they asked when and where they could buy them. I had never even considered selling them but arranged to have a home show for the people who had encouraged and supported me and loved my work. It was a huge success and several other shows followed.

Then I came to Auntie’s Beads. I was thinking about going back to graduate school and wanted a job working a few days a week; I had no intention of staying here very long. But soon after I started my job as a member of the Order Fulfillment team, I was approached by Susie and offered a design position. Since I was still contemplating what to do with my life (teaching high school and doing social work had always been my goals but neither had worked out as well as I had hoped), I considered the offer some sort of sign as to what course my life should take. And so here I am almost 3 years later…

Even if I didn’t work for Auntie’s Beads, even if I hadn’t become a professional jewelry designer, I know that the love affair with beading would not have ended. I receive so many emails from people who tell me how much learning to create jewelry has changed their lives and, believe me, I understand! Beading has not only saved my sanity at times, it has also given me a completely different career direction than I originally anticipated; the things I get to learn—and teach—on a daily basis bring me so much joy. I am so grateful to be here, playing in the beads and sharing my knowledge and passion with others.

Shanna Steele,
Auntie’s Beads Designer

My love of beads and how it all began…
I began beading at or about age 5. My grandmother gifted me with this passion. I actually learned the art of crochet beading, though today that skill has long since passed. But it was the style in the 70’s and that is what she was doing. My mother was the recipient of my first piece. She still has it; it is made with white pearls on red yarn! Some things you never forget! My grandmother gave me many of her beads that I used to string my own creations. I often recall have an outfit or a shirt that I needed a necklace for, so I would string one up on thread, using an acquired clasp from an old necklace that I took apart or when I was needing to be resourceful, a small safety pin.

I continued my craft through out the years and much thanks to my mother for enrolling me in a small weekly craft class at the local craft store, where among other techniques I fine tuned my beading skills, though much of what I learned was self taught. I made my creations, mostly for myself and for family.

Through the years it was clear that I was a right brained oriented person, though in school, I didn’t take a lot of art classes. I mean can you really get a degree in that and make a living, so I thought! So I went to college with the mindset that I need to degree in business, but could throw in a little fashion for my creative side. I finally worked in my field getting my first job as a Trim Buyer for a Dallas based Dress Manufacturer. I was surrounded by buttons and trim and found a new way to create jewelry and accessories and even began selling my wares to co-workers, who knew! I went to work for another apparel manufacturer before my days in the industry ended, again proving that I could make a living being creative. Though as so many manufacturing jobs go, cheaper labor won out and I was laid off.

While I was searching for a job, I spotted a want ad for Auntie’s Beads. I applied and though did not immediately hear from them, they finally called and I was hired. I recall interviewing with Susie and how she gasped when I told her I was a beader. She was shocked, I was too, because I just assumed to work at Auntie’s Beads you would be! I started off oh so humbly, counting beads for the Internet orders, then went into customer service and then my “aha moment”, the design department was created around me! Wow, you really can be creative, have fun and get paid. It was quite the whirlwind, Susie was already designing and selling online, but this just opened a whole new world for Auntie’s and me. I went to take classes in Kansas City to Wisconsin, I continued my beading education as I do today. We quickly expanded to more than one designer and programs including two beading cruises and the innovative Karla Kam Videos! It has and is the ultimate experience for me!

Karla Schafer,
Auntie’s Beads Designer

To Bead or Not To Bead 

This was the question I asked myself about 4 years ago. I was working as a software analyst for a worldwide company and spending my cash buying handmade jewelry from one of our programmers who had a great China connection. After handing over yet another wad of cash, I decided to Google beads in our area. Lo and behold, what did I find but Auntie’s Beads retail store in Grapevine, less than a 10 minute trip from the office. Excited about my find and wanting to see just exactly what a bead store looked like, I sped over to Grapevine during my lunch. Walking into the store and seeing all of those beads was quite overwhelming. Frances, the store manager, walked over to me and asked if she could help with anything. I told her I was going to start making my own jewelry. She immediately got excited right along with me, showing me the classes that were taught there and all the instructional books/magazines that she carried. Her enthusiasm was definitely contagious! I was hooked! After getting the grand tour of the store and ogling a few beautiful strands of beads, I made my purchase and went back to work excited about embarking on this new adventure.  Several days passed before I got a chance to return to Auntie’s Beads but when I walked in, there was Frances welcoming me and asking how my  new found hobby was going. Needless to say, I spent many wonderful lunch hours at Auntie’s, sometimes 2 or 3 times a week! As my skill improved, I would bring in new pieces to show to the girls at the store and was always greeted warmly. I truly felt at home. Since then, I have retired from the stressful world of systems, done a few national craft shows and, as if it was meant to be,  saw a part time help wanted sign on the door of, none other than, Auntie’s Beads. I knew this is what I wanted to do! I have been working at Auntie’s Beads, in one capacity or another since then.

Deb Leon,

Auntie’s Beads Designer