I have been beading for about 2 years now. It is a hobby that I enjoy and refer to it as "my therapy".

My original background is in education, and still I teach 2nd grade part-time. I job share so that I could be home with my three small children. This gives me more time to bead..and shop for beads and supplies- which is just as fun as beading itself!!

I got interested in beading from a bracelet I bought for myself that had my daughters' names on it. This Mother's bracelet received so much attention from friends and family, that when my son was born, I became interested in making my own. I talked to some people and gathered resources from the Internet on jewelry making. My husband went away on a five day fishing trip, and by the time he returned...not only had I figured out how to make bracelets, but had SOLD over 15 of them! Now I have a web page and sell bracelets and other jewelry. I do a lot of custom work also. In fact, I have done numerous weddings in which the bride designed bracelets for the bridesmaids for the wedding day and as their gift!

I make mostly namesake bracelets, but have had so much fun with the crystal and glass jewelry. I recently began making necklaces to match the namesake bracelets. And namesake bracelets using glass and crystal beads. I feel I can use my creativity most when using a variety of glass and crystal beads. I make bracelets for my daughters who are my little walking advertisements and quality evaluators. Not only to they test the durability of my work- but also they have sold a ton of children's jewelry for me!

If you want to share ideas or have any questions for me, please email me at eyereane@msn.com or through my webpage. www.BeadsByIrene.com

[ Jerry ] When Irene first started ordering from us, she placed three orders in one day. This is a flag that it credit card is stolen. I called the bank that issued her credit card. They called her at work, to verify that she was really placing this many orders. She was!!

Since then, Irene and my wife have sent many emails back and forth.