Hi Mary, I'm a novice too though some have called me an artist. If I'm an artist then I'm a starving one because I've sold precious little! LOL
I've learned a lot from this group, first by lurking and now by joining in when I can. You can learn by lurking too but when a lurker pops out and posts a question, we all learn. So even though you may have had a rough beginning here, don't let that put you off. No matter what level of beading you're at you can get help by posting and help others at the same time. I didn't read the whole thread and won't but I did learn a few things about findings and about the people here, I know you did too.
So come sit next to me and lets string some beads together. I have lots of tools and would be happy to share them. Care for a cup of joe this morn?
-- Margie