Jun 20, 2010

New Petoskey store offers supplies, lessons for jewelry-makingBy Jennifer RichardsonPetoskeyNews.com

Petoskey, MI — Finding the perfect piece of jewelry to pick up the colors in a prom dress or other outfit can be a challenge — but making your own could be an option.

Bead Hollow, newly opened at 218 Park Ave. in Petoskey, offers loose beads and strands that can be used to create unique pieces of jewelry. If you’ve never made jewelry before, help is available.

“If you don’t feel you can make it, we can do it for you,” said Buffy Monahan, who owns the store with her husband, Jake.

Lessons in basic jewelry-making, bead embroidery, crocheting with bead and wire also are available.

“If you’re having a hard time finding a color, chances are we’d have a shade that would be complimentary,” Monahan said.

Monahan, a Michigan native who recently re-located to Petoskey from Minnesota, said she began beading as a young girl, and is happy to pursue it as a career.

Monahan’s mother recently showed her a set of beaded earrings Monahan made as a gift when she was a child. Now, in addition to selling beads, Monahan will hold classes in the studio section of her business space, and will also host beading parties for both adults and children.

“It’s kind of like scrapbooking,” Monahan said, referring to the growing popularity of beading as a hobby.

Read complete article.