Beading Brings the Generations Together
Beading can be an activity for all ages. Typically, young people need very little encouragement to dig in and start creating something. Adults, on the other hand, often need to be reminded that they are naturally creative. Many times, somewhere along the line, people get the message that their creative works are not good enough to meet someone else's standards. We internalize this message and the inner critics in our minds compare ourselves to others, and show how we aren't as good as others. In the environment of our jewelry making classes in our Alameda, CA bead store, the genuinely honest positive feedback that people get from others in the class helps to still the voice of the inner critic.
It is especially great when people who know each other take a class together, and then they can continue the support as well as social aspects of the creative process. This is especially true when people from different generations bead together. Even though their styles may be vastly different, the creative process is the same. Mothers and daughters can sit side by side and appreciate each other's differences, and at the same time enjoy the sense of €parallel play.€ Many savvy grandmothers and aunts recognize that taking a beading class with their granddaughter or nieces is a bonding experience.
Beading is not just an activity for women and girls. One day a man came into the shop with his four year old son. Having had the bead shop for several years, I had an idea of what they were there for. The man told me that his son wanted to make a necklace. I leaned down and asked the boy who he was going to make it for. I expected him to say for his mother. But he surprised me, saying that he wanted to make it for himself. I was delighted with the support that the father was giving his son for his unique self-expression and creativity.
Although Bead Inspirations has been offering beading classes for beginners, including Basic Necklace/ Bracelet Class and Basic Earring Class, in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2003, metalsmithing and wirework technique classes have been very popular in the past few years. Our instructors include nationally renowned published authors as well as local favorites. Although most of our beading students live in the East Bay, we've had people come from all over the state of California to attend our classes. Our calendar on our website shows when the next classes will be offered.
It is especially great when people who know each other take a class together, and then they can continue the support as well as social aspects of the creative process. This is especially true when people from different generations bead together. Even though their styles may be vastly different, the creative process is the same. Mothers and daughters can sit side by side and appreciate each other's differences, and at the same time enjoy the sense of €parallel play.€ Many savvy grandmothers and aunts recognize that taking a beading class with their granddaughter or nieces is a bonding experience.
Beading is not just an activity for women and girls. One day a man came into the shop with his four year old son. Having had the bead shop for several years, I had an idea of what they were there for. The man told me that his son wanted to make a necklace. I leaned down and asked the boy who he was going to make it for. I expected him to say for his mother. But he surprised me, saying that he wanted to make it for himself. I was delighted with the support that the father was giving his son for his unique self-expression and creativity.
Although Bead Inspirations has been offering beading classes for beginners, including Basic Necklace/ Bracelet Class and Basic Earring Class, in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2003, metalsmithing and wirework technique classes have been very popular in the past few years. Our instructors include nationally renowned published authors as well as local favorites. Although most of our beading students live in the East Bay, we've had people come from all over the state of California to attend our classes. Our calendar on our website shows when the next classes will be offered.
