They're not your mother's old pop-beads. That's for sure. Just talk to anybody who's become hooked on the latest fashion fad -- designing jewelry from beads -- and they'll tell you.
"It's definitely the latest craze," said Lisa Lehrke of Jackson, who stopped by to see what was new at KMK Beadwork, 1214 W. Michigan Ave. in Jackson, MI "I'm a total addict."
Designs range from the most delicate, intricate, fine-beaded bracelets and necklaces to large
statement-making pieces guaranteed to attract attention.
At Michael's, an arts and crafts store at 1525 Boardman Road,
two aisles are devoted solely to beading supplies.
The craft store conducts two or three beading classes a month, said Judy Jensen,
department manager.
"They're quite popular," she said.
Karina Kimpell, owner of KMK Beadwork, has more customers than she can squeeze into her nightly classes.
Karina Kimpell, who opened her business in June 2002 at her home, said she has waiting lists
for all of her classes. She was teaching about 200 customers at home; now, her customer
list is about 1,400, and she has a crew of 10 instructors and five part-time employees.
Class instructors teach how to make one specific piece of jewelry, such as a necklace or
bracelet, and the whole class makes the same item, with variation in color. More advanced
classes have prerequisites. To check class schedules, pick up a listing at the store or
check the Web site, www.kmkbeadwork.com.
KMK Beadwork became reality in July 2000, right about the time when my son Benjamin learned how to get around and get into things. At that point it was obvious that I could not continue working full time from home while keeping him out of trouble too. Beginning a beading business was, for me, a natural choice. Afterall, I had already coerced most of the women in my family and nearly all of my lady friends into learning the craft - mostly because it's more fun to bead with someone than all by myself.
I owe a BIG thankyou to my parents both for their financial support and their encouragement, especially considering that they were, in essence losing an employee from their business once I went out on my own.
The other BIG thank you goes to my other mom, Adele who's love for beading both challenges and inspires me. She won't admit it, but she's an awesome and creative lady, and none of this would have happened if she hadn't introduced me to this art more than 6 years ago.
And last, but certainly not least is my husband Brad. You have stepped out in faith and have supported my efforts to become the wife and mother that God has called me to be. You have unselfishly placed my happiness above your own, and the good of our children is your top priority. I love you and thank God for you every day.
Karina Kimpell, owner of KMK Beadwork
www.kmkbeadwork.com
Classes are taught every evening and twice on Saturday. Participants walk out with the completed project or at least enough directions to finish it up outside the class.
"It's instant gratification," said Pam Garr, who's been beading for about a year. "You start the class at 6, and by 9 you have an awesome piece of jewelry."
Plus, Kimpell said, "You do not have to be an arty type to do this."
Shelves, walls and display cases in her long, narrow store are lined with beads of all styles, shapes and sizes ranging in price from just pennies to strings of pearls that sell for more than $50. She carries rolls of sterling silver and 14-karat gold-plated wire, more than 100 styles of clasps for bracelets and necklaces and the tools needed to create the works of art.
"My beads are all glass; you won't find any plastic. It's fine-jewelry quality, not craft quality," Kimpell said.
She began beading about eight years ago, under the watchful eye of her mother-in-law, Adele Kimpell.
"At first it was a hobby, then I went nuts," she said. She began teaching at a store in Ann Arbor, then for friends out of her home, then in organized classes.
Her customers, too, have caught the bug.
"It's incredibly addictive," said Lynne Markiewicz of Jackson, as she browsed along the wall looking for beads to match a rich garnet- and red-beaded bracelet she was finishing.
She began beading about a year ago and now takes about two classes a month. She designs her creations to suit her wardrobe or gives them as gifts.
"I like it because you don't have to be super talented," she said. "I got my friend into it, and she tells me now she doesn't know whether to love me or hate me."
Rick Ruzicka said they went to the Gem Show for the first time last year to buy beads and form relationships with other bead dealers.
"It was mind-boggling," he said.
The Ruzickas sell a variety of natural stone and semiprecious beads, and they will bring about 700 pounds of them to Tucson.
"I would be happy if I came back with 25 percent less," Ruzicka said.
She said groups of women get together outside of class to do their beadwork.
"It reminds me of the Amish women who get together for quilting bees," she said.
Lehrke said she gets together a couple times a month to bead with her mother and sister.
"It's a nice bonding time," she said.
For Lehrke, who studied art in school, jewelry making taps into her creative nature.
"It's very gratifying," she said. "Your mind begins to wander, and you explore what you can do."
She sometimes coordinates her creations to match her outfits.
"Or, if you make something, it gives you an excuse to buy a new outfit to go with it," Kimpell quipped.
Source: © 2004, The Jackson Citizen Patriot. http://www.mlive.com/jacitpat/
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