I almost didn’t publish this today because beading problems seem rather trivial compared to what happened in Manchester last night. Then, I thought, if we start changing the way we behave, or ceasing to ‘live’ because some misguided individuals threaten us, the terrorists win. So, just know that my thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was affected last night and has been affected by acts of terror in the past. Now back to beading…
I want to start by saying a big thank you. Over the weekend, I have been asking you to let me know about your beading problems.
I had an overwhelming response to the survey that I posted online and through my newsletter. So, as promised, here are the results… How many of these do you identify with?
Of course, it’s all very well asking you to share your problems, but what you really need are solutions. Never fear, though – I’m on the case! And I’m going to end up by offering my first solution.
What are the top three beading problems?
Now, in my survey, I offered a choice of problems and also the chance to write how you feel. The survey also allowed you to pick more than one issue.
I want to say a special thank you to the 41% of people who took the time to write a comment. This revealed some interesting trends, but I will come back to those later.
The Number One Beading Problem
Just squeaking into the lead, with 37%, the number one beading problem is not having enough time to bead. Is that you? Does it surprise you?
I confess, I was a little surprised that this should come out at number one. Then I thought about it. Yes, even though beading is my full time job, I still struggle to find time to actually bead. The magazine editing, business administration (and in my case, the need to rest) all get in the way. I have to make time to bead because I need to create projects. But I still suffer from the problem of having far more ideas than I will ever have time to do.
So, how do you solve that problem? Well, that’s a big issue actually. So I’m going to come back to that in a separate blog.
I will show you exactly how I built my own time machine. So I can now turn each day
in 48 hours instead of 24 – it’s a bit like having two of me and it’s the perfect solution… Sorry, that’s actually just a little fantasy of mine. There is no time machine and I have no extra hours in the day. However, I have learned a few tips for ‘making’ time and I will share those with you.
I will also say, this is going to link in very nicely to my National Beading Week plans. So, if you’re waiting for more information about those, then stay tuned!
Problem Number Two
So, moving on. I confess, I had a hunch that this particular problem would rank pretty high. So, for 31% of respondents, colours are a problem.
Why did I have a hunch about this one? Well, whenever I teach, we always end up talking about beading problems. Choosing colours comes up a lot. For starters, it can easily take the first quarter of a class for a student to decide which beads to choose.
This particular beading problem is one of the reasons I put together my free tutorial on colouring. I have used it in workshops and the students have found it really helpful. So, you can get a copy to try for free, right here.
I have also written a whole section on colouring, in the design area, on My World of Beads website. So, if you want to know the basics, pop on over there.
But, I’m also in the middle of putting together a whole course on choosing bead colours. I am putting emphasis on practicality. So, it’s not enough to just learn the theories, I think you need constructive ways to put them into practice. Only then will you start to grow the confidence you need to combat this beading problem. So, if you want to be the first to know about the course when it launches, make sure you’re on my mailing list.
The Third Problem
Who wants to guess what is going to be third on the list of beading problems? Anyone…?
No, well, I’ll tell you…money! Yes, 22% of respondents said that their biggest problem was not being able to afford to buy patterns or kits.
So, how do you solve that one? Well, it’s not easy. I have been feeling the pinch for the past few years while world economies have been declining. I know a lot of bead shops have been too. So have the magazines. You probably already know this. You’ve seen magazines going out of print and bead shops closing. It’s tempting to think that this suggests a lack of interest in beading. Actually, I think it’s simply a lack of money to spend on beading.
We all know there is a demand for free patterns. It’s all very well buying beads, but you also need to know what to do with them. So, patterns and kits are the answer.
However, from my own experience, it’s a tough problem. I am aware that money is tight. So that is why I try to offer my loyal customers some ways of saving through discount coupons, sales and the like. But I still have to earn money as well, so, it’s all about trying to create balance.
Other Issues
Well, that gives you the full results. So, I want to talk a little about the issues that came up in the comments.
Surprisingly, there were several common themes among the beading problems that you listed here. Health issues get in the way for several of you. I just want to mention that because you have my sincere sympathy. It’s really difficult managing long-term health issues. But, on the flip-side, it can be the beading that provides comfort and perhaps even therapy here. So, I wish you all well.
The second most common complaint
I bet this won’t surprise you. In fact, I’ve given you a clue to this in the main image on this blog. A lot of people said that ‘too many shaped beads’ was one of their biggest beading problems.
Why should this be? Well, it puts too much temptation in the way. You have
barely got to grips with one new shape and you find another five have arrived. I have to say, I have a lot of sympathy with this. The pressure here is coming from the manufacturers, being fed through the shops and then into the magazines.
Just like any other business, one of the key ways in which a beading factory can grow is by making a new product. So, we have all these manufacturers competing to gain market share.
Once the shops have taken on stock of these new beads, they need to sell them. So, you end up with promotions that focus on new beads.
The shops and manufacturers are both putting pressure on the magazines. In return for advertising, which generates a lot of revenue for the magazines, the shops and wholesalers want projects that showcase the new beads.
Finally, this feeds on to the designers. The magazines are demanding projects with new beads. The top designers who work with groups like the Beadsmith Inspiration Squad, are there to promote the new product.
So, where does this leave the consumer – you? Confused, frustrated and under pressure. If you already feel like you’re struggling to find time to bead and struggling to afford it, the last thing you need is more temptation. So, there is a significant chunk of the beading market who wants to rebel against all these ‘new beads’. It’s only natural.
This actually leads on neatly to the most common complaint…
Common Beading Problems: Buying Beads
The theme that kept coming up in your comments about beading problems centred around buying beads. For most, this related to issues in buying online.
Few of us are lucky enough to live next to a really big bead shop. So, we inevitably have to buy online at least some of the time. None of these beading problems are going to surprise you.
It’s frustrating when you have to search through different shops to buy all the beads you need. The result is higher postage which of course eats into your beading budget. We’ve all been in that situation where the colour of a bead turned out to be different from what we were expecting. Or maybe it’s the size that differs. The list of frustrations goes on.
Now, there is never going to be a perfect solution for this. There is no way that one single shop can carry all the available bead stock, show the colours accurately and send it to you for free. So, some beading problems we have to just put up with. However, this has set me thinking on how I can shape my own business to help you more.
So, here we go, as promised…
My First Solution – saving money and making shopping easier
I do actually have one solution for you right here and now. I am working on a long-term project so that I will end up selling the materials that I use for the majority of my patterns. You may have noticed the new Beading Supplies department in my shop.
This started with the AVA beads because they were so difficult to get hold of in the UK. I have since added more beads that I use, but which may not be stocked everywhere. So, eventually you should be able to buy a pattern, plus all the materials you need, from me, right here. What is more, if you buy the pattern first, you will receive a receipt with a discount. You can check the materials on the pattern, then select them from me, apply your discount and you save some money!
Since the beading supplies are in their early stages (it’s going to take me a while to add everything, so please be patient!), I have also introduced an innovation. If you want to check your colour before you
buy, you can order a sample. I am charging a tiny fee for this (a few pence), but this charge gets refunded if you then come back and buy a full pack of beads. It doesn’t even have to be the same pack of beads. So, you could try a Silky bead sample, decide it’s not right, but still come back and buy a pack of size 10 delicas and get your refund.
I hope this will be a way to help you overcome at least one of your beading problems. You can also rely on me continuing to look for more solutions. So, stay tuned.
One Final Free Tip
For those of you who felt your biggest beading problems were not knowing about the materials or the techniques, have you ever looked at My World of Beads? This website is full of blogs about all things bead-related. So, whether you want to know about materials, or look for techniques, you will find answers. It includes links to free tutorials, paid tutorials, book reviews and information about designing, getting your work published and so much more. So, it’s a great free resource for all your beading questions.
And, since I like a bargain, here’s a two-for-one free tip. If you’re looking for something specific, or you want to buy a particular bead and you can’t find it, just ask me! I can help. I’m happy to put together custom kits for any of my patterns. I have also sold custom bead packs to people in the past. So, instead of letting those beading problems overwhelm you, ask for help!
