This is my logo. My best friend's son David created it for me a few years ago. David has his great ability to see people as they are and I think this captures my spirit.

Recent Article About My Bead Parties

Sometimes the people who claim to be the least creative turn out to be the most creative.

It is one of the reasons jewelry "diviner" Betsy Klein started in- home beading parties.

"People would come to me and say, 'I'm not very creative,' and they would make the most beautiful things," said Klein, "There were no preconceived notions to live up to."

Seeing the enjoyment people would get from creating their own of jewelry, Klein came up with the idea of Betsy's Busy Beads Beading Bashes.

"It is a way for me to give back some of the creativity I've been given," Klein said.

At the parties, Klein shares a bit of beading history and gives background on the beads. From there, the attendees pick out the beads they want to have in their creation.

Once they have their beads laid out, Klein shows them the tricks to stringing and adding clasps.

The hardest part of the two-hour party is picking out the beads.

"I tell them to play," Klein said. "Play with textures and colors and just go for it."

Klein has had her own boutique line, The Third Eye, for more than a decade.

She has sold her earrings, bracelets and necklaces at a variety of local stores, but now she does most of her sales out of her Iowa City home.

She only makes one-of-a-kind pieces.

"I don't like cookie cutter anything," Klein said. "We are all unique and our jewelry is a representation of our individuality."

Klein would rather be classified as a jewelry "diviner" than a designer.

"What I tell people is the beads find me," Klein said.

At her parties, she brings a variety of vintage and contemporary beads.

Carole Anne Beaulne of Marion had heard about the beading parties. She wanted to do something special for her daughter Meaghan's 13th birthday so Beaulne had Klein come for the party.

"I thought it would be something special," Beaulne said. "Meaghan loves jewelry. She is artistic.

"She's had the little kits from Target, but this is so much more involved."

Arlene Strait, 12, gave the party two thumbs up.

Arlene made a pink and black bead bracelet complete with black cat face beads.

"It's different and fun," Arlene said.

Meaghan agreed.

"It is so cool," she said of the process.

She created a blue and silver necklace.

While Meaghan loved making her own piece, she also liked seeing what her friends came up with, too.

"Whatever you make shows your personality," she said.

Reach Deanna Truman at 339-7360 or dtruman@press-citizen.com.


• What: Betsy's Busy Beads Beading Bashes.
Jewelry "diviner" Betsy Klein of Iowa City, known for her Third Eye boutique line, recently started hosting beading parties.
At the parties, she shares a bit of beading history as well as teaches how to bead. Participants have the opportunity to make earrings, bracelets or necklaces.
• Cost: Varies, depending on types of beads used as well as pieces made. Children's parties are less expensive than adults'.
• Information: Call 354-2600 or e-mail the3rdiowa@mchsi.com.

Welcome

This blog is for those people who enjoy beautiful jewelry and want to see what I am up to. My husband, Garry, is doing the groundwork on this for me because I am a Luddite. However, since so many people want to see my work, I am happy to be here--wherever here is!

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