Hello, I am new on this posting. Just wanted to comment on not knowing other beaders. My town is very small and located, in Delaware. I don't know any other beaders here. The nearest MIchael's is 26 miles away. I order online most of the time. Also, I wear little jewelry. Mostly, because I am allergic to nickel and don't have piereced ears. Most earring backs seem to contain nickel. I did get to go to the Bead & Button Show for the last three years. It was wonderful to be around so many beaders. It has definitely helped to encourage me and to try new things. There was a bead shop here but it closed up. It was not very good and the beads were expensive.
Gee, I think its great to know how many other beaders and jewelry makers out there that don't wear jewelry. I used to think I was the only looney jewelry maker to not wear her own jewelry.
I know you said you were allergic to nickel, but have you tried wearing Sterling Silver? Does that give you a reaction?
Hey Barb, don't sweat the fact that you don't have any LBS's near you because I think they are, for the most part, a waste of time. I live in Tidewater, VA.. and I can count at least 5 LBS's around me - not including the Michael's and AC Moore's - and I haven't been to a single one of them in at least 5 years. Why? Because they mostly stock glass and base metals and their gem stone, sterling, and Swaro selection is very very limited and way WAY overpriced! I do get to AC Moore every once in a while to get containers and stuff, and occasionally I pick up some Swaro's and tools, but for the most part I buy online just like you.
LBS's are good for one thing though... if you are in the middle of a project and need to get a particular item before you can complete your project but you're running out of time - then LBS or AC Moore is a good way to get yourself out of a bind - that is if you can find what you need.
I've been to the Vegas bead shows twice, and several here in VA, and its a good thing I save up for those cause I really stock up at bead shows. Pearls in every color are way way cheap, and the deals you can find on gem stones are numerous. I love bead shows, and I drag my mom to them every chance I can get. She doesn't bead, but I make her go anyway. hehehehe
Hi Barb......looks like we are basically in the same boat on all counts. But join in and ask questions and so on.....perhaps we will be able to get some activity in this group again.
I found that the LBS was rather expensive, but he did give me 30% off. However, I think he marked it up 50% at least. Artistic wire was $19 for a spool. It was $7 at BeadFX I discovered. You can be sure that I let him know what I thought of that!! He got rather flustered.
Best.....Heather, in Toronto, Ontario. PS.....if that is your real address, you will now get a gazillion spam emails at comcast. But I figure they must be pretty good at weeding them out. NEVER use your real address on news groups....change it to something like snipped-for-privacy@beadybabe.invalid
I have used valid emails on usenet for as long as I can remember. It may increase your spam, but it may also increase your sales ...
My LBSs mostly amount to Ben Franklin and Walmart - we have a bead store but until very recently it was only open 2 days per week, and a bead seller at the Farmer's Market. That's how I got into being a portable bead store (I have a full time job, I wouldn't be able to be open enough hours to justify a store front).
As wearing jewelry goes, I forgot that again this morning.
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