Hi! My name is Julie...and I'm addicted to beads.

Anyone who is a jewelry crafter will know what I mean. Hi, my name is Julie, and I have a problem. I'm addicted to beads.

Ever since I began my Etsy shop, new ideas have been swimming in my head like koi fish in a small desk bowl. I was on eBay a lot looking at items and things that I would need. Then I started visiting Etsy for supplies. I decided I needed more instantaneous gratification, so I started going to Jo Ann Fabrics and Michael's Craft Stores. OH...MY...GOD!! And OH MY WALLET! The Jo Ann store right by my abode is not so great when it comes to a selection of beads, but is great for supplies like jump rings or connectors. The store that is a few miles away in another town seriously has a sun ray shining down on it and should have a group of angels singing at the entrance.

Not only is it HUGE but the item selection is magnificent. I feel like Mr. Scrooge in his money tower walking through the store's endless possibilities.

This past Saturday, I received a 25% off my entire purchased coupon which is the sole reason I decided to leave my house. I got Emi ready and headed to the store. I immediately went towards the bead section, and wouldn't you know that the pretty much the entire stock was 50% off!!

 

While perusing the aisles, I met a woman who needed an opinion on matching beads with a swatch of fabric she had. A quick opinion turned into a shopping venture down the beading aisle. If she were a man, we'd run off together into the other crafting aisles hand in hand and swim in spools of yarn. Just kidding...but I digress...we chatted about colors, shapes, how to get the coupon code (she did not know), and what would match with what. The entire time, I kept thinking I should give her my Etsy business card. If it resulted in a sale, GREAT!, but if not, at least I would have a new (beading) buddy who gets just as excited as me when it comes to craft shopping. I said goodbye to her when I left to go look at wrapping options. I was a little sad to leave and regretful of not giving her my business card.

If this Jo Ann store location was much closer, I would be visiting it more than the Michael's location by me. BUT...Michael's is one of my most favorite stores. Coming first before Target, and my friends and family know how much I LOVE Target, I visit Michael's almost once a week to look and touch the beads. I swear I have a connection with the beads and have a "conversation" with them to see what kind of projects they could be in. Kind of like an interview. I can see that I sound crazy at this point, but remember...I have a problem...and I'm addicted to beads!

I have not met anyone as special as the Jo Ann lady, but enjoy my time here as well. I am convinced by myself that I cannot bring the baby here (if I can help it) because I will seriously take an hour looking at the beads and deciding which ones to purchase for upcoming projects. Sometimes I won't even have an idea in mind, but once I see the bead, I know what to create. I keep telling myself that I have enough beads to make Lady Gaga a dress that she would be proud of but 1) I don't know Lady Gaga, 2) I can't sew, and 3) there's never enough beads!

I've actually begun to save my daughter's Gerber food containers to keep my beads in (washed and dried of course!) so I don't have to keep buying those organizers. Although the organizers are not costly, I would be able to stack a Fort of Beads with them and I would be the watch guard. Sounds fun, but my walls would not withstand the Power of Emi.

I plan to visit the store tonight for something completely non-bead related but we all know how that may end.... Stay tuned for news on my addiction!


Visit julemijewelry.etsy.com to see my completed pieces :)