If this scenario sounds like something you have experienced, understand this; you are not alone. Even the most experienced beaders felt exactly the same when they started out. Only the naturally gifted get it first pop; and let's face it, how many of them are there around? So if you fall in the majority, do what I did when I first started; ask an expert! Ask someone that makes jewellery for sale.



I bet you've look at those reels of beading wire and thought, hmm now that looks like fun, but what and how do I make anything with it? Want to know the secret to mastering wire? Ask the retailer, afterall, if they are selling it, chances are they know how to use it!

Who better to consult than someone who makes their own jewellery and sells the beads and findings as well! If that's the jewellery piece you want to make, at least you know where to find the required beads and findings.

A professional bead retailer won't charge you for ideas and instructions on how to use certain items. Afterall, if you know how to use something, you are more likely to buy the item and buy it from them.

Beginners, choose a jewellery piece you would like to replicate. Then contact the bead retailer asking them for advice on what beads, findings, or wire you might need to make that piece of jewellery. If possible, ask for step by step instructions; a customer focused retailer, will be more than happy to supply them.

If you are a little more advanced, then you select the components you need yourself, simply by studying the piece of jewellery you would like to make.

Seeing ideas on what to make, makes it easier to choose what beads to purchase. You can see what size beads are more suitable and puts the size of the beads into perspective.

There are so many beautiful beads out there, you don't want to buy a kilo of the same style just because they are cheap and have all your jewellery made with the same beads. Look for beads that are sold in small quantities to avoid leftovers you have no use for. That way you can buy different style beads for the same price and make different jewellery pieces.

Buy findings in larger quantities and save. Basic items such as head pins, eye pins, jump rings and crimps, can be used in many different ways to put your jewellery pieces together. They are the foundation of your jewellery piece. You shouldn't have to spend big on the basics. You're better off using that money on all those beautiful beads!

A professional bead retailer will also be willing to share with you their expert hints and tips. Often these hints and tips will save you time and money. Why spend money on a new gadget when an item laying around the house can do the same job? Save the money for beads, the fun stuff!

Beading can be overwhelming to a beginner. An expert bead retailer will take you from overwhelmed and anxious, to excited and creative. Liaise with the experts now.