pugdog
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Dec 21, 2004, 7:58 AM
Post #1 of 1
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Bead parties - for adults or kids
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Bead parties are a *great* social event. While you work with your hands, you have time to talk, and bond with your friends.
Not everyone has to work on the same projects, or even types of projects! One person can bring their seed bead loom,and continue on their project, another can open their case of crystals and finish up that pair earrings, and others can be working on bead stringing or peyote stitch, and using beads from 15/0 to 2" long.
What's great about a beading party is the BEADING, not everyone doing the same thing.
You can have regular (rotating - a different living room every week or every other week) parties, and pick certain days to do a group project, or have one person share their skills on a technique.
For kids, beading is a great rainy(snowy) day project. You can squirrel away beads and findings in a small area, but when the day is grey, you can pull them out for BIG FUN.
Same for a birthday party.
Birthday parties have gotten out of hand. One-ups-man-ship has gone to the total extreme. Rather than giving the kids the parties, the adults are trying to out do one another with the most expensive, most unusual, or most gaudy event. Sometimes, like in little league, the children get lost.
Try a beading party. We've set up a few lately, and most were thought up, and coordinated by the CHILD. They wanted their friends to make something, and take home something, that useful, and pretty, and part of a "fantasy" or game. Princess collars, old fashioned pearl necklaces, macrame chokers, etc.
Rather than $50 a child at a games spot, or big tadoo, that is quickly forgotten, for under $5 a child, they get a keepsake they can wear, a feeling of accomplishment, and maybe learn a new hobby or skill -- something children today *really* need. Quiet time. Something they can do by themselves, without having to have the stimulus and input of a group of others. We called it "down time." But, the "down" was reall "up" because it's how we relaxed, and recharged. Maybe even got to know ourselves a little better.
Bead parties are great for kids and adults.
They don't make a big mess, have a lot of prep time or clean up, they are quiet (you can put music on in the back ground), and they are ENJOYABLE.
They also are individual, since even if people are making the "same" project, they don't have to make the identical thing! Patterns, colors, and sizes and shapes can all vary, so 12 girls making a bracelet or earrings will come up with AT LEAST 12 different designs!
With the long winter break upon us, and the weather turning really, really miserable, planning a head for the "I'm Bored" period can pay off big time.
And, while beading is thought to be traditionally a "girl thing" many, many boys like to bead too! Especially macrame, and creative bead stringing (earrings don't go over so well with this crowd!)
Just some thoughts, and suggestions.
PUGDOG's Rock & Bead Shop
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
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