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Beadmaking is fun yes…but its also very very
expensive. Yes, you can start with very simple tools and teach yourself,
and I’m all for that. I’ve seen some wonderful beads
from artists who are completely self-taught. Loren Stump is completely
self taught…Its good company to be in…
So, getting back to the expense – when I took my beginning
class it cost me $90.00 for the instruction…I was close enough
to be able to drive, so there was no flight, no hotel, no rental
car involved, only the gas to drive 100 miles round trip…I
ended up spending another $300 on a starter kit, glass, tools and
other goodies…So, almost $400.00 out of the block…Not
bad, but still not cheap…I was able to determine from that
class if I wanted to pursue this or not – and I’ve talked
to LOTS of folks who have never continued after their first class…they
felt it was too complicated, they didn’t have room to setup
a studio, they had a family that didn’t give them any time,
or they just didn’t like making them. I like quilts –
I will buy and admire quilts…but I do not like making quilts…same
thing…
So, now here you are, ready to take a beginning class with me in
Austin Texas…You have no idea how to make beads or if you’ll
like making beads, but you know you like buying beads, so lets give
it a try! Ok, book a flight…that’s what, $200 or so?
Maybe more or less…you might have frequent flyer miles, I
dunno…And there’s the hotel – you’ll need
at least 2 nights, possibly 3 depending on when your flight times
are…So there’s another $150.00 in hotel. Rental car
– add another $100 for that…Food – that’s
not so bad, but lets add $75.00 for airport food, and maybe a breakfast
here or there over 3 days..(I buy students lunch both days and dinner
at least one day)…Gas is maybe $20.00 if you don’t sitesee
around Austin (the hotels are close to my house, unless you book
further away and must do the drive…). Oh, and lets not forget
about the cost of the class.. Because its 2 days of MY time you’re
paying for, that will have to figure in for something. I charge
$300.00 for an intermediate class, and I’d have to charge
at least $250.00 for a beginning class – its still my time
and knowledge you’re paying for..So, before you’ve made
a single bead – before you even KNOW if you like making beads,
you’ve just spent $795.00. Hmm…That seems like a LOT
of money to see if you like something…I spent that on a 5
day class with Loren Stump and it was the best class I ever took…I
think you see what I’m talking about here – There are
lots of local places that are giving beadmaking classes for a very
reasonable price (our local store charges $105.00 for a 5 hour class).
I say you ought to ‘go local’ and once you get a taste,
buy a beginner kit and practice at home. Setup a small space, read
ISGB and WC for info on safety. There are lots of tutorials on those
sites, and in magazines – try new techniques. Attend a Gathering
or as many intermediate classes you can find near you. And if after
a year you still want to come see me, then you’ll be ready…
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