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SPOTLIGHT ON ... ARTICLE
January 2009
How to find a beading buddy
Written by: Thomas Soles
Whether you are a beading aficionado or a rainy day designer, it is always a fun idea to find a friend or a network of like minded folks to help inspire and aid you in becoming a better beader. Fortunately, it is not difficult to find a buddy in even the most remote sections of the world.
Let's start with the World Wide Web. The internet has not only given us a wild selection of information, eclectic and current, but it also allows us to meet and share our favorite hobby with people from all across the planet. Websites allow us to glimpse other designer's work that we might never see in stores. Virtual auction houses let us bid on beads and finished pieces that people might not have otherwise sold. It is a wonderful tool that has helped bring many hobbies out of homes and into the global spotlight.
Groups are a great way to find like minded friends. Sites like Yahoo and MSN have thousands of groups created by fans, companies, and superstars. Signing up for a group is easy and then, following a quick search, you will find hundreds of happy nooks for whatever moves you.
Another system of friend seeking is searching web corners like MySpace or Friendster. Anybody can design a profile and have a personal website up in minutes. Once you have your own page, you can find friends from across town or across the country. There are very few limitations to posting here and you can share your wares and post your projects without any fees.
Another exciting aspect of the web is its many forums. Forums allow anybody to participate in discussions, in a group setting, that they might never have had. You can also find help for nagging problems or inspiration from others who share their designs. Most forums on the web are also moderated, this means that the board will not break down into petty squabbles or arguments and stay friendly and fun.
Search engines on the internet like Google or Yahoo have enabled a quick method of finding just about anything. Whether you are looking for the history of a gemstone or the name of a local bead store - this is a good place to start. From there, a little footwork will help you hone your beading knowledge or expand your awareness of your local beading community.
If computers just aren't your thing, you might consider spending the day at a local bead shop or museum. Strike up a conversation and you will find it easy to make a new friend. Many bead stores are also finding ways of opening the social network. Many offer classes or activities and some are even starting to open coffee bars in the store so chat comes easy.
If you are a more adventurous soul, trade shows are an exciting way to network and see new tools and beads. Trade shows appear in just about every state and every country. The potential for finding mates here is unlimited. Chat buddies are everywhere at the show, at the hotels after the show and at the classes during the show. To witness a show is also an eye opening experience, if you think our hobby is small; just wait until you walk the aisles packed with vendors and buyers and curious onlookers.
Finally, if you are looking to pursue a deeper role within your community and would like to connect with your fellow beaders in a much more personal setting, consider joining a bead society or guild. Bead societies can be loose interest groups or they might cater to specific mediums - if your sole interest with lampworking or polymer clay, you may be able to find societies that are specifically geared for them. Bead societies are wonderful places to stimulate your creative side and have fun chatting with others. Bead Society activities can run the gamut from hosting a show, to jewelry challenges. Some of them offer field trips to trade shows and others might even have international trips.
There are lots of resources out there and loads of places to meet exciting new friends. Go find a beading buddy, even if it is just a next door neighbor, having a partner always helps to spark a creative impulse.
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Thomas Soles is a member of the marketing team for Soft Flex® Company. On weekends, he can be found at bead shows around the country. He loves to surf beading forums and connect to other avid beaders on the internet. He feels blessed to be able to travel and meet other beaders. Email Thomas at thomas@softflexcompany.com |
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