They say your are never too old to learn new tricks. This works unless you are me, and it’s me in front of a laptop watching youtube videos on how to apply mascara with a spoon (spoiler alert: it doesn’t work). That said, a lot of what we talk about on this site has to do with learning new things, especially when it comes to cool stuff you can make with your hands. Did you know Michael’s offers free in-store classes on everything from cupcakes to crochet? They sure do! All you need to do is buy the supplies and their instructors will guide the way!
They also offer a series of low cost (usually around $15 or $25) courses, on paper crafting, jelwelry making, and a bunch of other cool stuff. I decided to take a basic beading class because I need more jewelry (< that italic text denote sarcasm btw), and I thought it would be fun to bring a couple of friends along. Both of these friends have taken craft classes with me at other locations and both of them get mad at me because the crafts involve messiness. Not this time! This one would be mess free. Plus, it’s a fun way to spend an evening with friends then go out for a boozy bite afterwards (wearing out new necklaces, of course).
Bring on the beads!
The course usually involves a specific supply list and everyone comes out with the same-ish creation, BUT, the teacher said so long as it was just the three of us that night, she’s make an exception and let us pick out our own beads so long as there was a basic variety and so could learn the essentials of bead stringing.
What’s that? I need to buy more than one kind of bead? NOT A PROBLEM.
Yeah. I bought a few.
Also, I’ll admit, I already knew how to string beads. That’s pretty easy. What I did not know how to do was create a necklace that looked “retail ready.” Meaning, the clasps and hardware and all the other bead business was hidden and smooth. No knots. Like this…
Those ends are fastened off as well as something you’d find in a department store. I have never understood how to do this and when I looked it up online I got confused or overwhelmed with the different sizes of string vs. hole vs. tube vs. ring vs….you get the idea. It’s a lot of information and it’s easy to mess up or blow a lot of money on the wrong supplies. It was awesome to have the instructor pick out the essentials for us, recommend the key tools, but still let us do the fun part! She also gave us some ‘old bead woman’ tricks and tips to remember in the future. Love that!
So, if you are looking to pick up so new crafty tricks, check out their free classes! Or consider a craft kit and you can do it all yourself at home. Have fun!
http://www.michaels.com/search?q=craft%20kit&cm_mmc=PR-_-MichaelsMakers-_-AuntPeaches-_-BackInClass
AnnW
Very nice. I didn’t know they had jewelry making classes. The bead selection can be overwhelming. You need to make some necklaces to go with the paintings!
Charlotte Mickovic
Would very much like to learn from others re. Beading.
J
Spenser Goodwin
So cool! I didn’t know they offered free classes! Def going to try this out!