At Auntie’s Beads, we have recently started a new initiative called, “Become a Better Beader with Auntie’s Beads“. As beaders just like you, we want you to think of us first when you consider the best place to go for exclusive, new designs, beading tips and techniques and the best quality, most affordable beads and jewelry-making supplies.
To that end, we’ve begun a new series featuring our designers as well as owner, Susie Henderson, wherein we will be showcasing each respective designers’ most helpful ways to improve your beading skills. We’ll be using everything we’ve got at our disposal: beading tips from novice to advanced with both pictures and written instructions, free online videos featuring the most up-to-date techniques available and how-to’s like learning to use one design as inspiration to make something which is completely your own! With each new edition, we’ll even be referencing some of our favorite original projects from our enormous archive that may be helpful for learning and inspiration.
So join us at AuntiesBeads.com in the coming weeks as we explore along with you all the ways in which you can Become a Better Beader with Auntie’s Beads!
May 23, 2009 at 8:49 pm |
I have beaded for about 6 years. I am so happy that I found Carla’s cams.
Carla gives me inspiration.
The things I enjoy about her videos:
-Items required are stated right up front and are available at Auntie’s Beads. There is nothing more frustrating for a “budding artist” than finding out that the items used in the video can’t be found.
-The camera moves around with her to show the techniques/stitches.
-Where possible, she uses large beads and distinctive colors in order to show the stitch. That helps me get my head around the stitch.
-She sometimes shows a mistake you might make (tangled thread, unthreaded needle, etc.) that helps me with fixing my own “oops.”
-Other videos say “end your thread with a half-hitch knot, add more thread, and continue.” Carla actually shows you how to do that. I have referred many of my friends to her videos for that reason.
My only constructive advice would be these two comments:
Create a system to mark your videos with “Beginner, Medium, Difficult” or something similar that you think is appropriate. I send my friends, first beaders, looking to make their own jewelry, to your videos quite often; and they want me to show them how to make one of your most complicated things right out of the box. This is a testament to how well Carla demonstrates a technique.
I make jewelry because someone showed me the way. I would have given up if the first piece I attempted was beyond my capabilities.
Help me out here!
Carla, continue to describe how much thread is needed for the project ( I am with you…the less changing of thread, the better) But for the purposes of demonstration, use less thread to show the technique so others can understand the stitch.
Happy beading!
May 23, 2009 at 1:22 am |
Thank you, this sounds great. I look forward to learning along with you.