Suleski is the owner of Point Pleasant Beach's Bead Dazzle, one of several beading stores that dot the Jersey Shore. Stores like Suleski's, whose shop opened in January, do more than just sell beads — they also offer classes and party packages that allow even beginners to tap into the growing trend of do-it-yourself jewelry.
And here you thought beading was just a rainy day activity.
Suleski, whose store is at 1213 Beaver Dam Road, started out like any beginner five years ago. From the basics — stringing, single-strand necklaces — she moved on to more complicated projects, such as chandelier earrings and chain maille pieces.
Suleski's store passes that knowledge on to new beaders through workshops. The store offers several each month, with titles ranging from Colorful Coil Bracelet to Free-form Hieroglyphic Charm Necklace. Each class costs $35 and lasts three hours.
Classes can be scheduled by stopping at the store or by calling (732) 295-6679. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays to Fridays, and hosts many classes in the evenings. People taking classes can bring their own beads or purchase them from the store at a 20 percent discount.
"Someone who's never even touched a bead or a wire before could definitely (do it)," Suleski said. "It's so much easier if you're actually physically shown how to do this stuff."
Jean Keil's store, Blue Water Beads at 108A Main St. in Manasquan, also offers classes that teach beading design and texture basics. Keil said that a beginner could make a pair of earrings for as little as $2 or $3 and a necklace for as little as $10.
"It really depends on your taste and your budget and what you want to do," she said.
Keil's store is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Classes, which cost about $35 and run three hours, can be scheduled by calling (732) 292-2992. A schedule is available at http://www.blue-water-beads.com/ on the Web.
It's also possible to get started on your own.
Sam Cooper owns the Holmdel-based Bead Giant, a Web site that provides supplies to beaders around the world. Because beading classes can be expensive, Cooper said another good way to get started is through using patterns like those available at http://www.beadgiant.com/ on the Web.
The site used to be mainly a wholesaler, but now it gets 90 percent of its business from individual beaders, Cooper said, noting that many of them even start businesses of their own, selling their finished jewelry at craft shows.
Once beaders learn a pattern, "they can go on from there and put their own spin on it," Cooper added.
Cooper said that thousands of different varieties of beads are available, meaning that every piece of jewelry has the potential to be unique. And that may be part of the hobby's appeal.
"You make something beautiful," Suleski said. "Let's be honest, most women love beautiful, sparkly colors."
Plus, "there's a feel-good factor," Cooper said, noting that beading can be therapeutic.
Not to mention endlessly rejuvenating.
"If you make something and you're not happy with it, you can cut it up and reuse the beads," Cooper said.
Suleski added that another perk of beading is that it can be done anywhere, any time.
"Beading can even be done on the beach," she said.
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