Bead&Button Show classes can mean many things to many people. Classes offer veteran beaders a chance to apply their skills in new and unusual ways. For beginners, classes provide the opportunity to learn the basics and get a glimpse of more advanced techniques to master in the future. In the middle of the spectrum, classes can help intermediate beaders shape their beading identity by invoking interest in specific mediums and techniques that they will incorporate into their own jewelry style.

Even months before the Bead&Button Show (June 1–8), the classes are already helping me develop my beading identity. As I paged through the catalog, marking classes of interest, I noticed a pattern – almost all of the classes I wanted were about wirework! I’ve discovered that I am drawn to beaded jewelry with “architecture” to it – airy spaces, solid expanses, graceful lines, coils and curves – and wirework is a great means of achieving that look. Needless to say, I am looking forward to honing my wireworking skills so I can create jewelry that better reflects me.

How have Bead&Button Show classes impacted your beading identity?