Episode #206: Jill Wiseman

On today's episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we're talking about beading with my guest Jill Wiseman.

Jill Wiseman lived a traditional, “8-to-5” corporate existence until a chance encounter with beads in 2001 changed everything. She was mesmerized. She found her local bead store and started taking every class offered to learn new skills, including stringing, wirework, and her later specialty, beadweaving.

Before long, Jill couldn’t contain her beady joy another moment and had to share the world of beads with others. She became a full-time beadweaving jewelry designer and teacher in 2004, and had the pleasure of teaching at national bead shows like Bead & Button and Bead Fest, as well as traveling to bead stores and bead societies all over the country for classes full of laughter and bead learning for over a decade. She is the author of Jill Wiseman’s Beautiful Beaded Ropes, and was honored to be chosen as one of Beadwork Magazine’s Designers of the Year for 2013.

In 2013, Jill started a YouTube Channel which now boasts more than 170,000 subscribers where she educates beaders around the world with videos showing techniques, tips, and projects. After the YouTube Channel launched, viewer demand for bead supplies influenced Jill to open an online bead store which has now grown into a 6,000 square foot warehouse facility with 4 employees.

Beading has taken her from coast to coast, and internationally to places like Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, and China. But the rest of the time Jill makes her home in Austin, Texas, with her mother (employee #1,) as well as two spoiled dogs who only occasionally eat the beads.

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This episode is sponsored by The Academy for Virtual Teaching.

The past two years have taught us how important virtual technology is to our lives. We can make connections with our friends and develop new skills and hobbies using a computer or even a phone. Isn’t it amazing? Many business owners and creative craft and art teachers were able to save their livelihoods through virtual workshops, both on-demand and live via zoom.   I tell you what, so many people have fallen in love with taking virtual classes. Online workshops are here to stay.   If you love to make things, and love to teach people how to make things, but have been overwhelmed thinking of all the equipment and technological know-how you need, I invite you to check out the Academy for Virtual Teaching. It can be so much easier than you think!   We are a community of Virtual Teachers who help teach, lift, and encourage each other as we become more proficient, professional, and yes, profitable virtual teachers. Please go to AcademyforVirtualTeaching.com and you’ll be surprised.   +++++

To get the full show notes for this episode visit Craft Industry Alliance where you can learn more about becoming a member of our supportive trade association. Strengthen your creative business, stay up to date on industry news, and build connections with forward-thinking craft professionals. Join today.