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Last updated: 8 APR 2008
As I prepare to travel to shows and bead stores for classes this year, I am reminded that many students aren't quite prepared for the classes they have signed up for. From a teacher's perspective and also to make your class experience the best it can be, I will give you a list of things to always bfing to class.
Knowledge. The first thing you should do is read the description of the class you wish to sign up for. Find out what stitches will be used for the project. If the stitch isn't named in the description, call the bead store or e-mail the show contact or the teacher and find out. If it is a seed bead weaving class, there are several stitches used depending on the project. Know the stitch well before you get to class. If you have done the stitch, but it has been a while, take some time at least a week before the class to practice the stitch. I have had many students come to class saying they know the stitch, then realize they haven't done it in so long that they have forgotten it. They spend a lot of valuable class time relearning the basic stitch. This can be very frustrating. In my years of teaching beadwork, Right Angle Weave has proven to be the most difficult stitch for most people to learn. If you are unable to do Right Angle Weave, or Peyote Stitch, or Herringbone/Ndebele, or Netting, or Spiral Rope, or Brick Stitch, learn them at your local bead store in a beginner bead stitch class. Or get a good book or tutorial and practice, practice, practice. Trust me, you will get so much more out of your classes if you come with a working knowledge of the stitch being used in the class.
The following is a laundry list of things I always bring to any class no matter where it is being held.
- Beading needles. Size 12 is the best size for almost all seed beading projects.
- Beading thread. Bring your favorite beading thread.
- Work surface. Such as a Velux® pad or a porcelain tray.
- Scissors.
- Wax. I like the Microcrystaline synthetic beeswax best.
- Task light. And an extension cord.
- Wire cutters.
- Pliers.
- Tweezers.
- Clear nail polish.
- Nail file.
- Ruller. Or a small tape measure.
- Spectacles. Don't forget your glasses if you need them to bead with.
- Magnifier. This may be helpful.
One more very important thing to bring to classes, especially if they are large classes such as at the bead shows, is Patience. Your teacher will try to get around to everyone, but it may take time. Also, please raise your hand or call your teacher over if you feel stuck or puzzled. If you don't speak up, your teacher will never know if you need help.
Some classrooms have really uncomfortable chairs. I travel a lot and am on airplanes for most of my travels to classes. I made a great seat pad using an egg crate pad from the bedding department of my local Target store. I get the twin bed size, fold it in half so it isn't so long, and I have double padding. I cut it to fit my backside. If you can put it into a king-sized pillowcase, this is the exact size of an airline seat and most chairs. It rolls up into a nice small roll. I tie mine with a piece of ribbon then stuff it into my roll-aboard. I think this is the smartest thing I have ever done! It has saved my back on long flights and I have even put it on beds in hotels where the bed is too hard.
I also travel with my Ultimate Travel Case so I can bead on the airplane. I travel so much that I would never get any of my beadwork done if I didn't bead on airplanes.
Mostly, have fun!
Jeannette Cook's website is Beady Eyed Women.