Frequently Asked Questions
Ordering and Shipping
What are your shipping fees?
Visit my Shipping Policies page for more information.
I just ordered a kit. When will it arrive?
Kits usually ship within 1 week of purchase, and will usually arrive within 3-7 days after that. International order arrival times vary by the destination; please allow up to four weeks for your international order to arrive.
Workshop kits ship 2-3 weeks before the date of the workshop.
Pattern Information
Can you explain your pattern difficulty levels?
I offer patterns at the following four difficulty levels:
- Beginner patterns are appropriate for everyone. No previous beading experience is required.
- Advanced Beginner patterns are appropriate for students with some beading experience. Students should be able to thread a beading needle, and should be familiar with reading and following general beading diagrams.
- Intermediate patterns require a basic understanding of the core beading techniques such as peyote, netting, and right angle weave. A combination of multiple techniques may be required. Small, size 15° seed beads may be used in these patterns.
- Advanced patterns assume proficiency in the core beading techniques. Advanced patterns usually incorporate multiple techniques into the design, and may require weaving small or shaped seed beads in tight spaces. These patterns may also utilize non-intuitive thread paths, new multi-hole beads, complicated variations of beading techniques, and construction of three-dimensional structures.
Do you have any patterns available for free?
Yes! Check out my free patterns on the Freebies page.
I see a design on the Workshops page, but it is not listed on the Patterns page. Can I purchase the pattern for this workshop?
The designs that I teach in beading workshops are exclusive to the classroom. Patterns and kits for these designs are not available outside of the classroom until after they have been retired from my teaching portfolio. I do not make exceptions to this policy.
Some venues allow students to register for classes and obtain the class instructions without attending the class. This is usually possible for Zoom classes. Every venue has their own policies for this type of arrangement, so if you’re interested in this possibility please contact the venue in question directly.
Help! My computer crashed and I lost the PDF file! Can I get another copy?
Yes, just contact me at beadorigami@gmail.com with your name and e-mail address, and I'll issue you another download link.
I purchased a pattern from this website before May 2023. How can I download my pattern?
Contact me at beadorigami@gmail.com and I'll send you new download link(s).
Help! I'm stuck!
I'm always happy to answer any questions over e-mail. Contact me at beadorigami@gmail.com.
Can I teach your patterns?
You are welcome to teach any of my free patterns as long as the pattern is reproduced in its entirety (including the last page), and that no profit is made from the pattern or the paper it is printed on.
To teach my for-sale patterns, I ask that you first contact me to obtain authorization. Additionally, I ask that each of your students purchase the pattern directly from me. Wholesale pattern pricing is available for instructors who have already completed at least one piece of finished jewelry from the pattern. Please contact me for more information.
Kit Information
Where are the instructions for my kit?
With the exception of workshop kits, Bead Origami kits do not include instructions and are priced accordingly. To purchase both the instructions and the beading materials, add both a kit and its corresponding pattern to your shopping cart.
Why does the pattern have to be purchased separately from the kit?
Bead Origami patterns and kits are "unbundled" or "à la carte" to offer you the greatest flexibility. Here are a few advantages of this system:
- You can purchase and read the pattern before deciding whether to purchase a kit.
- You can purchase two or more kits without paying for the same pattern twice.
If you wish to order both the pattern and the kit at the same time, simply add both items to your shopping cart before completing your purchase.
My kit is missing a bead! How can I get another one?
I make every effort to ensure that each kit contains the appropriate bead amounts, and extra quantities are generally included for beads smaller than 6mm. On the rare occasion that your kit is short of a specific bead, contact me and I will gladly send you the missing bead(s) as soon as possible.
Zoom Workshops
Registration and Access
How do I register for the virtual class?
You can register for my Zoom classes in two ways; either by purchasing your registration and kit on this website or by working through one of my partnered hosts. Receipt of payment confirms your registration for classes hosted by me.
A kit purchase is required to participate in my classes. You'll receive a printed copy of the project instructions (not a PDF) in your kit shipment.
For classes organized by my partnered hosts, please contact them directly to register for the class.
How do I access the virtual class?
All virtual classes take place via Zoom, which is an online meeting app available for desktop and mobile devices. In the week leading up to the class, you'll receive an email containing a Join Zoom Meeting link. All you should need to do is click the link, and you will either be transferred to the Zoom app, or you’ll be transferred to a page where you can download the Zoom app. The app is free and you don't need a Zoom account to access the class. There are lots of tutorials on YouTube on how to use Zoom.
What do I need to run Zoom?
You'll need a device capable of running Zoom, such as a laptop or desktop computer, an iPad, an iPhone, or an Android device. Keep in mind that you'll be able to see the class more clearly on a larger screen, and it can be more challenging to see all the fine details on a smaller phone screen. It is very helpful if your device includes a camera so that I can see your work during class.
What if I can't attend the class?
Like in-person classes, it is your responsibility to attend the class at the scheduled time. If you miss class, you will still receive the kit, instructions, and links to the demonstration recordings after class. Once the instructions and kits have shipped, there are no refunds on Zoom classes or the associated kits.
Before Class
Do you have any tips to help me prepare for class?
To help you have a better class experience, please double-check the time and time zone of the class when you receive your Zoom link, and check for updates to the Zoom app. Before class starts, try to choose a working space where you can focus and work quietly with minimal distractions. Also, make sure that your device is fully charged and/or plugged into a power source.
Can I start beading my kit before class?
If you feel comfortable starting your kit before class, that's fine with me. Every student works at their own pace and I don't expect all students to be at the same place. However, please understand that I won't be able to answer detailed questions about the project until the start of class.
In Class
How do I see you and your work?
I have a forward-facing camera on my computer and a separate webcam to show detailed beadwork, and I switch back and forth between these cameras during class. I show several beaded demonstrations for each project so you can see exactly how I stitch everything together.
How do I show you my work?
Depending on your device, the project, and the step in question, I may be able to examine your work if you simply hold it up to your computer's webcam. Or I may ask you to take a photo of your work and e-mail it to me.
Do we take breaks?
We'll take a 1-hour meal break in the middle of class, along with a short coffee break about 1 1/2 hours after the start of class.
Can we talk in class?
I welcome any and all questions during class. Since I can't be with you in person, I need you to tell me if you have a question! No question is too silly or stupid, and I'm happy to answer the same question or do the same demonstration multiple times. However, as with in-person classes, please be respectful of your fellow students and patient with everyone; if you have a burning question, I will try to get to you as soon as I can!
I view these classes as both a chance to learn and to connect with other beaders around the world, so I welcome respectful socializing as time allows. However, we will also need concentrated time to focus on the project, so I like to strike a balance between these aspects in class.
Do you record the class?
For the privacy and comfort of all students, I don't allow recordings of my entire Zoom classes. However, I am willing to selectively record my beaded demonstrations for you to review later. You'll receive links to these bite-sized recordings within a few days of the conclusion of the class.
Bead and Jewelry Information
I used the same types of beads and followed your pattern exactly, but my version of this design looks different than yours. Why?
I tend to use relatively tight tension in my beadwork, so my designs can turn out differently if looser tension is used. Also, different lots of seed beads can lead to slight differences in color and size, even among the same size class (15°, 11°, 8°, etc). I generally recommend Miyuki and/or Toho brand Japanese round seed beads for my designs, and I will sometimes specify a specific brand in the "Materials Notes" section of the pattern. Round Matsuno Japanese seed beads tend to have a boxy shape that does not work as well in my designs.
Addditionally, dye lot changes can lead to slight color differences, even for the same color from the same bead manufacturer. I make every attempt to avoid this circumstance in my bead kits, but sometimes it is an unavoidable consequence of the bead manufacturing process. Some major bead manufacturers such as Miyuki Co. address this issue further on their respective websites.
Can you tell me the specific bead colors that you used in your bead kits and where to get them?
Colorway development and bead sourcing are part of the value of my kits. If you would like to make jewelry from one of my patterns using the same colors as one of my kits, I respectfully ask that you purchase the corresponding kit. If you have additional questions after purchasing the kit, please contact me.
I made a few pieces of jewelry using one of your patterns. Can I sell this finished jewelry?
I do permit my students to sell jewelry based off of my patterns, with some modest limitations. Please visit the copyright page for more information.