Going for a Beading

Getting all my baubles, buttons and beads ready to go to Bead Night on Saturday. Every time I tell my husband that I’ll be going to bead, he does a double take. “Beat who?”

B-E-A-D, I spell out for him, grinning. It’s a joke between us, especially as he recognizes the virtual luggage that carries my beads, a brown and pink bag that was actually supposed to be a scrapbook tote. But the beads I’ve accumulated in six years necessitates my lugging them around in their own suitcase.

Blame it all on Cecile Fleetwood, jewelry making instructor at Michaels Arts and Crafts in La Mesa. When I used to teach crochet at that Michaels, one of the perks was to take the classes to learn other crafts. I was already hooked on crochet; I got the beading bug, too.

It’s a great hobby to have, anything to work with the hands on something other than the Smart Phone or computer keyboard.  Plus, it’s a social thing, getting to meet face to face with other beaders. Several decades ago, women used to get together for kaffee klatsches. I think this beading socialization is far better. Besides, we get to bring savory and sweets. Women + beading = conversation and chocolate in some form.   

My good friend Debra is another bead-aholic. Together, she and I have not only attended many Bead Nights, but we have also taken a couple of classes together. The last one was Wire Crochet. I admit it. Now I’m really strung out on beading.  

Upcoming Bead Nights with Cecile Fleetwood are this Saturday, August 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Santee Michaels and at the La Mesa Michaels on August 18, also from 4 to 7 p.m. It’s the best five bucks I ever spend.