Washington Store

Kathleen Manning

After a lengthy stint teaching art to children at DC's The Owl School, Kathleen Manning bounced to Beadazzled in 1997. Cheerfully and with some relief, she admits that her life came together then. Even ten years later, anyone who's taken a beading class with Kathleen would agree that her position at Beadazzled is a good fit for the petite Minneapolis native.

Kathleen's classes are intimate and energetic, and students can't help but mirror her enthusiasm. Clearly, offering hands-on guidance and creative advice is Kathleen's specialty. But when she began teaching beading and wire classes at Beadazzled about seven years ago, she was nervous.

"I had never taught adults!" she says. "Adults are not like kids. They want to know how to do something, but are apprehensive about the next step. For adults, you need to explain the process, but kids go right into it."

In class, Kathleen's mission is to focus on the building blocks of well-made jewelry. "Over the years, the main thing I noticed is how people hold their hands," she says. "I'd go home and do my wire wraps and think, 'I have to start thinking about how I'm doing this.' I had to learn from my own mistakes in order to teach others."

So now, Kathleen is sure to teach the simple act of holding a tool or a piece of wire properly while instructing her group. This is useful information for even the most experienced students.

Despite years of practice, Kathleen continues to face one specific obstacle as a teacher. "I worry that my students might not get it," she says. "But the way I teach, if I can't go in through the front door, I'll go through the back. And if I can't get in through the back, there must be a side door!"

She offers this bit of wisdom to prospective students: "Ask questions! Don't be afraid to learn. Don't be afraid to not make it perfect. It's a process. You'll constantly be learning. You'll make mistakes, but you can do it! Don't be afraid of it." Kathleen's instruction doesn't stop at Beadazzled. Other students include docents for the Museum of African Art, Montessori teachers, and members of the DC Art Education Association. "I've taught teachers! That, to me, feels like my biggest accomplishment. I've never taken an education class in my life," she laughs.

Kathleen's Favorites
1. Soft Touch - great product, works with everything!

2. Sterling Silver crimps - they look great and hold well! Before working at Beadazzled, I used sewing thread and I still love how easy crimping is!

3, 4, and 5. Labradorite, Shell, Turquoise - I love all three of these - I hoard them in all forms - pendants, shapes and sizes of beads. They are always thrilling and beautiful to work with!

6. Stretchy gemstone bracelets - that sounds silly for someone who makes jewelry, but I love the ones we sell - they are easy to put on and pile on, and fun - great for traveling. Good energy, and go through security easily!

7. Indian Silver Jewelry

8. Old Indian silver pendants and jewelry parts to remake yourself - Indian silver is so sensual and beautifully handmade. It feels so good.

9. Seed bead mixes - with names like "Big LA Orange, "Chocolate Mud Pie", and "Witches Brew", it's gonna be fun!

10. Books - Beadazzled: Where Beads and Inspiration Meet, and Susan Ray's Beaded Jewelry - The Complete Guide and Wire Jewelry Workshop. Am I tooting our own horn? YES! Because we are in them and made them! They are great!

Baltimore Store

Dotsie Mack
Dotsie is one of those people often affectionately referred to as "a firecracker." She laughs easily, smiles a lot, and is generally a bundle of energy - spend 10 minutes with her and you'll see it's contagious. Better yet, spend a couple hours with Dotsie while she's teaching a class at Beadazzled's Baltimore location and you'll learn much more about her enthusiasm for beads, tools and people.

Skilled with tools of all kinds, experienced with construction techniques and diverse decorative arts, Dotsie adopted beads as her main form of artistic expression nearly a decade ago. Today her creative and stylish necklaces can be found in all three Beadazzled locations. After being hired in 1999, she "began teaching almost right away." Her first classes were Beginning and Advanced Wire, which were a sort of trial-by-fire. She was asked to take over when the teacher relocated to Pittsburgh. "I was, of course, a bit nervous, but I enjoy working with people and teaching," she says.

It follows that those two wire classes stand as the foundation of her teaching oeuvre, but Dotsie has built upon it with an abundance of inspired and creative workshops. These include Garden of Glass Bracelet (create a colorful garden-themed bauble), Spiral Pearl Bracelet (centered around whimsical wire-work), and Vintage Style Cluster Bracelet (learn to effectively use decorative headpins with chain, pearls and crystals). She also teaches Wire Rings and Multi-Strands, which are extremely valuable classes for anyone interested in creating more advanced handcrafted jewelry. Keep an eye on the Beadazzled class schedule to see when these workshops are offered.
(Click on "Example" links listed next to select course descriptions for pictures.)

When teaching, Dotsie focuses on technique and design, but she's also a firm believer in enjoying what you do. "I find that the hardest part of teaching is getting my students to not be so hard on themselves," she says. "Have fun, relax, enjoy yourself, push the limits, express yourself, and don't try to be perfect the very first time."

Dotsie's Favorites
1. Bead stoppers - How did we do it before bead stoppers? If you like to start your necklace design from the center and work your way up - if you just don't have the right clasp to finish your master piece and need to bring your necklace in to Beadazzled to find it - if you are struggling with your creative side - if you just like to have multiple projects going at once - a bead stopper is your answer.

2. "Catnap" pads - Aside from the cat using them to nap (one of my Ollie's favorites), the catnap pad keeps my beads from rolling everywhere and gives me a great workplace for all of my projects.

3. Beadcaps - One of our former staff members called them "party hats for beads"; I have to say they add a bit of pop and excitement to my creations and I find them to be a useful transition from small to larger beads.

4. Crimp covers - Crimp covers finish off a piece of jewelry, giving it a professional look.

5. Leverback ear wires - I love leverbacks; before I started using them I was constantly losing my earrings. The hinged mechanism keeps them secure, even when shedding layers of clothing. And they don't poke you in the neck while you are talking on the phone. I highly recommend them for bridal parties as well... the last thing you want is a picture of your bridal party and someone has lost an earring.

6. Soft touch .019 - Unless I'm knotting this is the only stringing material I use. Soft touch is super strong and flexible, which means the pieces of jewelry that I turn out are quality with long-lasting durability.

7. Chain - I use it for bails, and creative earrings and necklaces. It has a great drape and looks elegant.

8. 2mm round smooth sterling silver beads - I call these my pivot beads. I use them to fill the space between beads where I think the stringing material might show.

9. Toggles - Toggles are hands-down my favorite clasp. There is always one to match perfectly with my creations and they are easy to put on and take off by yourself!

10. Orange handle flex wire cutters - a favorite of mine; they have a sharp cut and a slim head, allowing me to get into the tight areas.

Anne Madison
Anne Madison has been beading since she stumbled across the Baltimore Beadazzled store fifteen years ago. Her first effort was a long pearl necklace in harvest colors that's still a wardrobe mainstay. Along the way she acquired an abiding interest in fascinating old trade beads, particularly those from Africa. Anne made her first rosary in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, as a replacement for one that she  broke. Shortly after that time, she began selling her rosaries at her website, Atelier-Beads. Her favorite things include SoftTouch .019, recycled powdered glass beads from Ghana, and multitudes of little tubes of seed beads in matching or coordinating matte colors and different sizes. In addition to the SoftTouch rosaries, which are her favorites, Anne has experimented with rosaries strung on leather, silk, hemp, linen, and even the traditional wire—anything that can be braided, twisted, bent, wrapped, or knotted into a "sacred strand."

Patrick Ober
Sixteen years ago, Patrick Ober began his foray into chain mail using fencing and electrical wire that he found around the house and barn. From those first tentative steps, he has steadily honed his expertise in the weaves and patterns of European, Japanese and Persian chain mail. He has also studied the history and historical usage of these different armor types. With encouragement from the Maryland Institute College of Art Jewelry Center and the addition of fusing and soldering techniques, he has been able to overcome the need for thicker wire to create some non-traditional chains.

At the most basic level, Patrick's chain mail classes teach students to link jump rings to form chains and sheets that can transform your simple beading projects into intricate works of art. He is fascinated by the fact that with just a small change in design, you can completely transform the chain you are working on. He gives students the knowledge to follow basic patterns that will be the building blocks of their more complex projects. He encourages students to keep an open mind when it comes to trying new patterns or materials. After you spend two hours in a chain mail class at Beadazzled in Baltimore, you will have an increased knowledge of and a newfound appreciation for the painstaking techniques involved in creating your own chains.

Dawn Pietrusko
When taking a class with Dawn Pietrusko in the Baltimore Beadazzled store, the most important rule is that there are no rules. Dawn likes to keep her Classic Knotting and Crochet with Beads classes relaxed and fun. She considers the techniques in her classes to be "like a parlor trick that will make your friends jealous." The repetitive nature of the skills learned in her class is intimidating to some people, but really isn't that hard once you break it down.

Dawn has been working at Beadazzled and teaching classes for just over four years. She graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 1998 and has practiced everything in the artistic spectrum from drawing to puppet making.

Jewelry making was somewhat of an accident after a friend from high school introduced her to it many years ago. Only fairly recently has she decided to pursue it as a career and teach others what she's learned. To Dawn, jewelry making offers "a wonderful way to do something crafty while also feeding my love of art, fashion, history, science, socializing and making cute things."

She urges her students to ask questions. Everything she's learned about beading has come from classes, staff members or customers at Beadazzled. Now she appreciates her opportunity to give back by teaching others. Dawn wants all of her students to make their pieces reflect what they would like to see rather than what they've already seen. Her goal is for everyone to make their own mark on the beading world. Dawn's personal research into artists, jewelry trends and fashion adds an important element to her classes. She delights in interpreting current fashion trends and strives to teach her students to do the same when creating their own unique jewelry.

Dawn's Favorites
1. Silk on Cards - the various colors and sizes are perfect for many kinds of projects, not just traditional knotting of pearls. Silk is the strongest natural material, and better for floating bead projects. The attached needle is great for easy stringing.

2. Plastic Box Fliptop with 24 containers - easy visual storage for your small beads and findings! These also lessen spills since everything closes up, and allow for easy travel with beads.

3. Twisted wire needles - there's no need to size needles since they fit most stringing materials and go through most beads. I find that they have solved many difficult stringing situations, such as working with french wire and seedbead project repairs.

4. Smithsonian Rock & Gem Book - this is a new book at Beadazzled. It covers more science behind many rocks, gems and minerals, and includes hard-to-find information in an easy to understand format.

5. Crystals by Harding - this book has wonderful pictures of gems in color order, which is a great format. It is a good resource for metaphysical gem information and lots of other infomation, and makes it easy to find gems without first knowing the name.

6. Cat Mats, otherwise know as beading mats - this is the best 99 cents you'll spend on a tool at Beadazzled. They keep your beads from rolling away, and can be used with projects of all types.

7. Beading Tweezers - among all the tools used for knotting, I found these to be the best way to get the desired results, I promise! They are great for beginner and advanced knotting techniques.

8. Handpicked Box Clasps - these aren't your standard clasps. They are picked with care, style, and an eye for what's beautiful, while also functional, and can really make your pieces unique.

9. Selection of chain - the amount of choice alone is great, from precious metal chains to all sorts of fashion chain. And it's sold by the foot, which makes project management a lot easier. Our chains are very popular - they can be used in everything from earrings, to necklaces, to bracelets.

10. German Pliers, both round and chain nose - after doing many projects these tools still feel like butter; they still have smooth movements and can face many, many projects without the need for replacement. The one-time cost leads to beading happiness. You'll have no worries about tool distortion with these professional grade tools.

Cas Webber
Cas Webber's unique style infuses everything she does at Baltimore's Beadazzled store. She manages the store, travels for bead buying trips, sells her own work and teaches beginning and intermediate level classes, to name a few of her responsibilities. For thirteen years she has been sharing her "knowledge about the history of beads as well as designing techniques that inspire the hidden talent in us all." Her wide variety of classes cover many techniques, but all teach unique, handcrafted jewelry made with the highest quality materials.

After earning a BFA in Photography and Performing Arts in 1992, Cas discovered that "creative diversity and freedom has been her life's passion." Her range of artistic interests has included building for a props and sets company, custom painting, rehabbing her house and shooting photos commercially. She always finds herself immersed in some kind of creative experience.

Cas uses her upbeat teaching style to inspire even the most seasoned beading veterans. Her many years of experience with Beadazzled have taught her that "every bead tells a story" and has the ability to bring cultures together to promote world harmony. Beads are her passion and she has a true gift for sharing it with the countless numbers of beading enthusiasts who have had or will have the pleasure of working with Cas as she teaches her classes.

Cas's Favorites
1. All the beads in Dotsie's studio - nothing is better than walking into her studio to get that one bead I forgot to get while at Beadazzled.

2. Color wheel - Long ago I had a real big issue with using pink, anything pink! Blah, ick, horrific pink! Thanks to the fantastic wheel of color, I now have harmony including all colors in the spectrum. The color wheel has taught me to respect all colors, as well as teach me that each hue is in need of another to reach its full harmony.

3. Ajah beads - Drawn striped glass seed beads traded in Africa, then altered by heating and squishing. They end up in many of my designs that I keep for myself.

4. Kiffa beads - I adore them and consider then to be the "Queen of All Beads." Anyone who knows me is sure to know how to bring a smile to my cheeks... all they have to say is "KIFFA BEAD." They will be forever in my collection along with renditions from Africa and Indonesia. I enjoy showing off the contemporary renditions to my customers.

5. Indo-Pacific Tradewind Beads - Named for the winds that carried traders on the seas, these beads were produced in India, Sri Lanka, and Southwest Asia from 300 BC until approximately 1000 AD. These beads are considered to be the most commonly traded bead in history.

6. Majapahit Bird Beads - I fell in love with these beads while on a trip in Portland. Actually, they are not very pretty, nor are they colorful. When I hold them in my hand they feel spiritual and that is how I regard them...

7. Beads of the World by Peter Francis Jr. - I recommend this book for all those shoppers who want more information about collectible beads... how old they are, where they come from, etc. Peters' book has a pricing guide, however, we live in a much different world than from 1994 when it was first published, and the price guide is outdated, but the information is a treasure.

8. Spin-A-Bead - Got a lotta seed beads to string but have the need for some instant gratification? If so, then the spinner will be your best friend. Just load the beads in the spinner; spin, and watch the beads jump onto your string!

9. Bracelet mandrel - I like to make cuff bracelets and find that using a mandrel is the best way to form a shape for your wrist. I find that they are heavy to handle, which also makes for a good arm exerciser while being creative.

10. Nylon jaw pliers - I work with wire frequently and find that it is hard to work with wire that has kinks and bends throughout. My nylon jaw tool allows me to prepare the wire prior to manipulating. Running the tool over a length of wire pulls out imperfections, which allows my final product to have better quality.

Virginia Store

Sylvia Butler

With five younger siblings and a son, Sylvia Butler has been teaching and mentoring her whole life.  Her enthusiastic, patient and nurturing personality make her a perfect choice to teach the Classic and Advanced Knotting, Wire Wrapped Cuff, Multi-strand, and Intermediate Beading classes at the Tysons Corner Beadazzled.  Sylvia has her mom to thank for her job at Beadazzled.  After earning a degree in psychology from St. Mary’s College in southern Maryland, Sylvia was relaxing at home as she pondered her career choices.  Her mom brought home an application for Beadazzled and strongly, but lovingly, encouraged her to apply.  That was several years ago and Sylvia is still enjoying her job at Beadazzled and her teaching duties.

In addition to the therapeutic craft of beading, Sylvia also enjoys salsa dancing and horseback riding.  Her understanding that the more you do something, the better you will naturally become at it helps her open the beading world to the students who sign up for her classes. 

When teaching knotting, Sylvia attempts to teach her students to “think outside the knotting box.”  She teaches the classic technique, but she also shows her students how to combine different materials and bead types to create something that’s much more contemporary.  She hopes her students will create something that is fun and different from “grandma’s pearls.”  She understands that knot placement can be frustrating at first, but hopes that with practice the technique will start to feel more natural and can become a calming and relaxing activity like knitting or crochet.  These same principles, she notes, can be applied to other beading techniques as well. 

Sylvia's Favorites
1. BeadSmith Craft Traveler (Black Bag) - It is versatile and roomy!

2. Nylon Jaw Pliers - They help fix mistakes so you can conserve wire.

3. Decorative Sterling Silver Box Clasps - They add spunk to any piece.

4. Rainbow Hemp Twine - Because it is a neat and organic alternative to silk for making floating necklaces.

5. Extreme 925 Flex Soft Flex Wire - It's pretty!

6. London Blue Topaz Marquis-Cut Briolettes - They are my birthstone and make me feel like royalty.

7. Grace Beads - You get a lot of funky beads for a very reasonable price.

8. Hill Tribe Silver Pendants (Flowers, Butterflies, All of it!) - They are elegant without being too formal.

9. Copper Findings (chain, cones, bead caps, decorative clasps) - They are a nice inexpensive alternative to other metals and add warmth to your piece.

10. Dark Blue Amazonite - Because it looks like Larimar but costs a lot less!

Chelle Mohaber

Chelle Mohaber encourages her students “to be creative at all costs.”  Though she holds two art-related degrees, she feels that the “rules” are sometimes detrimental to the creative process.  When teaching beading classes at the Tysons Corner Beadazzled store and giving private lessons, she will show you the standard techniques, but feels that “anything goes once you’ve found your creative groove.”

Chelle discovered her creative passion for accessories as a small child playing dress-up with her cousins.  In junior high, after receiving a bag of her great-grandmother’s jewelry, she was hooked on the infinite possibilities for wearing and revamping all of the beautiful pieces.  Even as she tried to follow more traditional education and career paths, she has always followed her heart back to the arts.  She found and fell in love with the Beadazzled family while pursuing her degree in Interior Design.  She finds her job at Beadazzled to be both satisfying and fun.  She loves the excitement of meeting so many new creative people every time she comes to work.  Chelle’s confidence and style help her teach her students that it’s okay to “turn your bead board upside down” if that’s what it takes to really see and complete your design.  She looks forward to teaching her students the skills they need to make jewelry as well as the knowledge that they should always “follow their creative hearts.”

Chelle's Favorites
1. Packaged 2mm Sterling Beads - I use them on almost every necklace I have ever made! The reason is that the .019 medium Soft Touch beading wire will double back through these tiny beads! This means I don't have to worry about changing the design on the end of my necklace. I also use them as spacers when I need a tiny bit of space but don't want a lot of silver to show!

2. Chain Nose Pliers - This is the one tool I couldn't live without! I could find other ways to cut and round wire but this tool fixes all my wire mistakes and allows me to work with a free hand.

3. Split Ring Opener - It's a MUST have for split ring repairs. Especially when you have soft fingernails like I have. When ours goes missing in the store, everyone gets very upset, like we are missing a friend!

4. Big Chunky Gemstones - They make me drool. Even if I don't care for a particular color or stone, I still daydream about using them in a piece.

5. Bead Stoppers - The name says it all! They save my students and me from beading disasters! They also allow you to safely put away works-in-progress.

6. 22ga Sterling Wire - An all-purpose gauge that will fit through glass and most gems and pearls. It's great for wire-wrapped projects, bails, and hand-made headpins, eyepins, and ear wires.

7. 16ga Sterling Wire - Perfect gauge for making your own clasps!

8. My Favorite Gemstones - Any that remind me of a trip to the Caribbean... Aqua blues like Amazonite, Turquoise, Apatite, Chrysoprase, and Chalcedony. Sandy colors of freshwater pearls and citrine. And sparkly Rock Crystal!

9. Thai Silver Flowers and Butterflies - I can bring out my inner 5-year-old princess and make a girly necklace but still keep it Hip and Contemporary with the unique Hill Tribe designs.

10. My Favorite "goes with anything" gem - Labradorite! You can pair it with so much! It's all in the shimmer. Take a close look as it shines - sometimes it's blue like Lapis, dark Kyanite, or more aqua like Amazonite. It can reflect pale yellow and green like Citrine or Prehnite. Sometimes you can even see pink or orange; perfect with Rose Quartz or Carnelian.