BeadStyle : getting started

More about Lady Bug Beads

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:43:00 GMT

We ran a short Q&A about Lady Bug Beads — our second "Favorite Bead Store" winner — in the September issue of BeadStyle. Here is the Lady Bug profile with the info we had to trim for space.

Congratulations, Lady Bug Beads!

In her store, Lady Bug Beads, Susan Rabbitt has created a haven for beaders. “I always feel like I’m around friends. Everyone is helpful and cheerful,” said customer Carol Cook, from St. Louis, Mo.

That sentiment was echoed by the 102 happy customers who put Lady Bug Beads in the top six finalists of ’s “Favorite Bead Store” competition. Below is part of our Q&A with Susan.

When did you open Lady Bug Beads?
S.R.: We opened in August of 2003. I had been scouring craft stores and the few small bead shops in the area and was not able to fill my need for seed beads. With a lot of research and a business background, I decided to open the store. My husband — who is my biggest supporter — said, if you’re going to do it, do it big. So that’s what I did.

What kinds of classes do you offer?
S.R.: We teach the basics of stringing and earring wire wraps every day in our shop. Most Saturday mornings we have a free class. It varies from week to week, but it is always a technique that is a step above the basics. Our customers are welcome to watch and get free directions, or they can buy some beads and play along. This has become very popular; 6 to 30 people show up. We also teach the basic stitches by appointment for $25, including peyote, herringbone, spiral rope, square stitch, right angle weave and corralling. Our scheduled classes are more advanced seed bead projects taught by some of our employees and other national instructors.

Are you a beader? What kinds of things do you do?
S.R.: Of course I’m a beader. I can’t imagine anyone owning a bead shop and not knowing how to bead. I love to use seed beads. I compare beading to a good book — if it’s not thick enough it can’t have much of a plot, therefore if a piece of jewelry doesn’t take me 10 hours to complete it can’t be much fun!

What about Lady Bug Beads are you most proud of?
S.R.: I’m proud of the creative staff that I have and of the many customers who keep us on our toes to create more designs.

What is your customer service philosophy?
S.R.: We want to make everyone who walks in the door become as addicted to beading as we are. If we don’t have fun beading, they won’t.

How are you handling challenging economic times?
S.R.: I don’t consider the last year and half any more challenging than the first five years. The only way you can keep a business viable is to get people in the door. My main focus is to think of new marketing ideas to do that. We changed from postcard mailings to email blast about 1½ years ago. This was a big savings and also allows us to have an immediate sale or promotion. We have several different events through out the year. We have Open Houses three times a year. We have Bead Art in our parking lot twice a year. (This is when we give our customers a free space to sell their beadwork) We do a yard sale in July which is always well attended and we recently started doing “Green Bag” promotions. We also do periodic sales on different categories in the shop.

What is the most frequently asked question from new beaders who come into your store?
S.R.: The most frequently asked question is “Where do I start?” Since the choices are sometimes overwhelming to new customers, we suggest that they bring in a specific piece of clothing to match of something they have seen in a magazine. This helps to give them a focus.

Anything that you’d like BeadStyle readers to know that we didn’t ask?
S.R.: A unique thing that we do in our shop is to photocopy any of the finished pieces that we have so customers can use them as patterns. We are constantly creating new designs so there is always something new to inspire them.

   7616 Big Bend Blvd.
   St. Louis, MO 63119
   314.644.6140
   ladybugbeads.net
   ladybugbeads@sbcglobal.net

Summer reading list

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:43:00 GMT

When I was a kid, I used to spend most of my summers planted in a lawn chair with a pile of books. I don't have the luxury of that kind of a summer reading list now, but I did get a chance to browse three great beading books recently.

The first is Krystal Wick's "Fabulous Fabric Beads" (Interweave $22.95) I picked it up after taking a class from Krystal at the Bead&Button Show. The book contains everything to need to know about making fabric beads (like Krystal's Sassy Silkies) and turning them into beautiful jewelry. It is a tribute to Krystal's creative and generous spirit that she shares for many of reative secrets. It's a beautiful book.

The second to close to BeadStyle's heart. "Jewelry in a Flash" (Kalmbach $19.95) is the book version of our special publication "Under 1 Hour." As the title suggests, the projects are quick and fun, and though we weren't really stressing it at the time, they're also very budget friendly.

Finally, lovers of wirework and earrings should check out Denise Peck's "101 Wire Earrings" (Interweave $19.95). It has lots of great design ideas and it beutifully photograghed. Denise is editor of Step by Step Wire Jewelry, so she knows her way around wire!

Check out our video interview with beadmaker and jewelry designer Melissa Cable

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:39:00 GMT

Check out the video section for an interview with jewelry designer Melissa Cable. Click on "Video," and you'll find Melissa under "Interviews."

Melissa's riverstone-inspired beads and the resulting necklace are featured on page 124 of the September 2008 issue of BeadStyle magazine. Linda Augsburg caught up with Melissa at the Bead&Button Show for a chat about creating lampworked beads; her bead store, Beadclub; how she got started beading; and how she got published in BeadStyle. Come back for interviews with Kerri Fuhr and Stacy Frost, who are both referenced in the sidebar in Melissa's "Inspired by riverstones" article. They will be posted later this month.

Natalie's gift

BeadStyle Magazine — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:24:00 GMT

Hello!

My name is Alison Libby and I am the guest blogger for this week. I look forward to sharing my beading experiences with you, and hope you will post your thoughts and ideas. That is what makes the BeadStyle blog such a great resource.

During a summer vacation in 2005, my niece, Natalie, gave me a beaded anklet she bought at a local sale. I loved it. It took me back to my days of beads, embroidered shirts, bell-bottoms and peace signs. A couple of weeks later, I stopped by a local craft store and bought some beads, stretch cord and glue. ‘What could be so hard? I’ll make a few anklets for myself,’ I thought. And make anklets I did (and bracelets, and necklaces, and earrings...)!

That is how it all started. Having gone through surgery and treatment for breast cancer the previous summer, I was looking for a new outlet. Making jewelry was something I could do at my own pace, and I could be my own boss (a dream most of us share)!

Since then, I have been doing about 24 arts and crafts shows a year, putting on home parties, and maintaining a fairly successful website for my company, BEADZ. This past May, I had the honor of being published in the gallery section of BeadStyle magazine. I have no idea where my ability to design jewelry was lurking, but I am glad I found it!

A few months after giving me the anklet, Natalie told me, “I never thought I would give someone an idea for a business plan.” Very funny, since she was about nine-years-old (going on 18!) at the time. But I am so glad her gift launched my new creative endeavor.

Please post your own stories. I would love to hear how you got started beading and how it has affected your life.