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
November 7, 2009 at 3:32 am |
Dear Karla!
I am hungary woman.
Karla Schafer beads videos super! Thank you!
Bye!
Ildikó
October 18, 2009 at 12:14 pm |
Hello Karla,
I am so glad that I found Aunties Beads, cause when I did, I found some of the best video tutorials ever on the Karla Kam!!! You do such a wonderful job, and the videos are so easy to follow. I have learned so much from your informative videos. Great Job!!!
One question, I recently went to a local craft store and found instructions on how to make a necklace using a button for a pendant. Only I found it a bit challenging since I am more of a visual learner. I was wondering if you can put together a video teaching others and myself how to make a bail for a button to be used as a pendant.
If you can, that would would be awsome!!!
Thank you so much for the great video’s!!!!
October 28, 2009 at 11:28 am |
Vickie,
I have used buttons as focals in a bracelets and have used them as clasps however not in a necklace. I will keep your request on my list of Karla Kams and appreciate the kind comments. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you!
Karla
October 8, 2009 at 8:22 pm |
Espero que voce consiga entender, gostaria de dizer que adorei seus videos, há muito tempo tento fazer peyot, spiral peyot, mas nunca consegui pois nao entendia os graficos, entao encontrei seus videos e fiquei agradecida a Deus por isso. Que Deus continue te abençoando, blessing you, e sue trabalho
Thank you so much!
Elizangela Brazil
October 9, 2009 at 11:55 am |
Hola Elizangela,
Tengo que contestarte en español en vez de portugues pero espero que entiendas o por lo menos tengas una idea de lo que quiero decir
Muchísimas gracias por tu comentario. Nos complace mucho el poder ayudarte. Siempre nos satisface en gran manera el saber cuanto nuestra serie de videos ayuda a nuestros clientes. Muchas gracias nuevamente Elizangela!
-Auntie’s Beads
September 25, 2009 at 8:54 pm |
Hi Karla,
Wow, what a wonderful story! I am a big fan of your Karla Kam videos and I used to live in the DFW area and saw your store there at one time. I am fairly new to beading jewelry and I love, love, love it!
And I love shopping at your online store too- I’m learning a lot as well from your Learning Center and Videos online. Thanks and keep up the fantastic work and inspiration to beginners like me!
September 22, 2009 at 12:12 pm |
Karla, I am learning through your tutorials – they are so clear and really easy to follow. I started a beading class today but feel that I have learned more from you!!
Keep up the videos.
Val Pickering UK
May 26, 2009 at 2:11 am |
Hi,
I enjoyed your story. I was a frequent shopper at the Auntie’s Beads in Kansas City. I am happy to see your website has videos to learn more beading techniques. I miss the store in KC, but I am glad to be able to order online. Auntie’s Beads had the best choices and most reasonable prices in town in my experience.
Keep creating!!
May 11, 2009 at 2:19 am |
Great Story. Keep up the good work I love your videos.