I started out collecting beads for years. I wish I knew where some of them are now. There was always something that drew me to that corner of a store, outdoor market or garage sale where there were beads for sale. I'd buy them, look at them, be happy I had them; and then put them away.

When money was tight I started to pull out my beads to make gifts. Family and friends would love the pieces and tell me that I should start selling them. I thought that's silly; until I started researching the idea and saw that there is a market for high quality, hand made jewelry.