This is a great tutorial that will offer a beginner a bit of a challenge, and is well written to ensure success.


There are plenty of detailed tips and pointers for how to create molds that will line up for two-sided beads, how to condition your molds for clean release, how to measure the clay (always a challenge), and how to control the mica powders from running amok.


If you are very observant, you will notice her neat little hame made bead rack. She doesn't tell you how to make it, but it's not hard to figure out, and it's a nice little bonus.


The pictures are large, clear and numerous. The text tells you not just what to do, but HOW to do it. Or how not to do it, as the case may be.


I really, really appreciate the little tips and tricks in this tutorial. Can't say enough about them. You get all the little dialogue and commentary that frequently only comes from the chit-chat during a live class. As I was going through the tutorial I really did feel like I had someone looking over my shoulder to make sure I had a successful experience, leaving nothing to chance.


As always, I'm looking at whether kids can do this. If you make the molds ahead of time and handle the sharp skewers or bead rack pins, and help younger kids measure the clay I think they can make these beads. If you want large holes for kid-friendly stringing materials, try toothpicks to enlarge the holes that are made with the skewer.