Beaders' Conundrum - What's a Beader to Do?

In my Aunties Bead Chat Group on FB, this situation/question was posed...

"have a huge stash of beads. So much so that I am overwhelmed and don't know what to do next. I have ideas and patterns galore, even so I find I rarely have the right sizes and colors to complete a pattern, which sends me back to the bead store. I almost always come back with more than I went for, something completely different having not found what was looking for. It's a conundrum!"  The feedback on the post was instantaneous with other members emphatically agreeing.  I have so much yet don't have what I need for this project or that project.

Conundrum may refer to:

• A riddle whose answer is or involves a pun or unexpected twist
• A logical postulation that evades resolution, an intricate and difficult problem

There were variations on the answer, but bottom line was it was an "Addiction" we all shared but because we tend to be "Distracted by the Shinies" it is inevitable. 

Most of us have libraries of patterns and tutorials that we want to dive into and when that time comes, we either 1) don't have enough of one (or several of the items called for in the instructions) 2) have the materials, but not in the color pallet that you want to used or 3) have enough of the beads and finish the piece but then don't have the right clasp (can you tell this one is me...LOL)....  Most of the time, I'm a sale shopper and the items I need for a particular piece may not be on sale...Here are some tips on how to minimize the "Beaders' Conundrum":

Tip 1.  When you go shopping, shop with a pattern/tutorial/idea in mind.  If you have some of the items, take them with you to match/coordinate/accent colors (remember to mark it so the store knows it's been previously purchased.

Tip 2.  Invest in baggies (less expensive than the photo boxes but you can use those too).  Store the items you've bought for that project together in the baggies (I use rubber bands as well).  That way when you are ready, you can grab a baggie and move out smartly.  I also recommend that you somehow note what project you bought the beads for (idea:  note paper...B&B Oct11 issue, pg XX or a picture).  This would also be a good time to note if you are missing an item (i.e. 3mm bicone).  That way when +Aunties' Beads or Firemountain Gems or INM Crystals has a sale you can go through your projects, see what it anything is missing then spend your money wisely.

Tip 3.  Another of the group members says she treats bead shopping just like a grocery list.  Before you leave home, make a list of materials needed...If it ain't on her list, it doesn't get bought...I don't think this works very well for me as I'm always attached by a case of the "Distracted by the Shinies".

Tip 4.  Another group member's tip...buy Kits.  When you buy a kit, the artisan includes all the materials needed for the piece...some even include the fireline and needle (+Laura Zeiner).  This way you are guaranteed to have all the materials needed to complete a project. 

Tip 5.  I think one of the best tip I can give is this.  Keep a running inventory sheet (I gotta find one now) of what you are out of (jump rings, wire, lobster claws, XXX color 11/0 seed bead) and prioritize what you need and then use your inventory sheet when you go shopping.

See, I told you...all variations of the same answer.  Bottom line:  it will take some organization and planning to ensure you have a fruitful yet efficient shopping trip that will net you what you need for your projects.

Hope this helps!

Happy Beading!