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Arts & Entertainment

Sweetwater Workshop Shares The Joy of Beading

Beading instructor Kathy Shomo will teach the art using beads from around the world.

Need a way to expend your creative energy? Grab a buddy or bring yourself on March 19 to Center for the Arts for "Beading Buddies."

Arrive with nothing but your imagination. Instructor Kathy Shomo will bring the rest, including beautiful beads from all over the world. Whether you’re
looking to bead for yourself or to make gifts for others, Shomo will teach you how to crimp and loop so you will know how to make beaded jewelry on your own from start to finish when you leave.

Shomo, who has been teaching beading for 13 years, prides herself in being a “teacher who teaches art,” rather than “an artist who teaches art.” This means that she is particularly good at teaching beading, rather than just being skilled at beading herself.

She refers to her classes as “bead-a-thons,” and she says students can make as many pieces as they’d like in the allotted time. Popular items include bracelets, necklaces, bookmarks and key chains.

“It’s easy to learn from watching others,” Shomo said.

The class is recommended for children ages 6 through 11 with an adult. Children 12 years or older can take the class alone or with friends. They'll complete a project while learning to work with different types of beads from semi-precious stones to wood.

For those unable to make the class, Shomo has also released a book, "Anyone Can Bead! Easy Techniques for Making Jewelry." The book can be purchased at one of Kathy’s favorite bead stores, Crystal Bead Bazaar in Lawrenceville.

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She also recommends the bead selection at .

“I wrote the book to show people that it isn’t hard to make really pretty things,” Shomo said.

The class is $20 for Sweetwater members and $30 for non-members. Call 412-741-4405 to reserve a spot.

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