Mikki Ferrugiaro: When I started beadweaving I didn't know anyone who did it so I actually never got any advice as a beginner. My advice to any beader now is know your stitches and your beads. Really knowing the stitches will help tremendously when following a pattern if your a beginner or designing something new if you're an advanced beader.

Michelle Mach: Buy the best tools you can afford. I didn't follow that advice at first.  I was too worried about spending money on what was probably going to be a fleeting hobby.  You don't need to buy top-of-the-line tools to start, but buying tools that hurt your hands, that break easily, or that don't produce good results are not a good value for your money.  (I think good round-nose pliers are especially important.) It was not until I bought a good pair that I learned that my cheap round-nose pliers were a little bit oval-shaped.  No wonder I found it difficult to learn making wire loops!  Not surprisingly, this is the advice I give most often.  I don't want new beaders to make the same mistakes I did.

Kelli Burns:The best advice I got was from a friend - Terry Hixson Burress  - who actually didn't give advice, but told me in no uncertain terms that I should attempt to have my work published in a magazine.  After several tries my first project was published in 2007 and I've since been published in over 25 magazines and one book!  Each time I get something published, it's like the very first time. I'm still thrilled and jumping for joy, just like a kid!

Advice I would give to any beader is know your industry.  Read magazines, books, literature of any kind related to beads! I use bead literature as an "encyclopedia of reference" especially when I think I have an idea that I might want to submit to a publication. I check to make sure I'm not infringing on anyone's previous designs and I always use them for inspiration - I've even been inspired to take my own designs to another level!

Jean Campbell: The best advice I've received is this: Invest in good, strong thread. Nothing else matters!

Beki Haley:The best advice I've received was to just allow myself the freedom to play with the beads, to listen to them and allow them to guide me into a design.  Sometimes they can speak loudly, other times it is just a faint whisper that you have to really listen for, but they always have something to say.  Giving yourself the freedom to just play will open your mind up so that you can hear them when they "speak" to you.

Advice that I give to other beaders is to not be too judgmental over your creations and yourself as an artist.  Cut yourself a little slack! I think that we have taught ourselves to be too critical of what we create.  Coloring outside the lines is okay if that is what makes you happy.  Just create! Turn off all those voices of doubt and second guessing, of questioning whether what you've done is good enough or compares to what someone else has created.  Instead just let yourself create.  The freedom in that process opens up so many more doors for your imagination - I promise!

Rosanne Andreas: The best advice I would give any new beading student is to surround yourself with what inspires you.  Be it a walk in nature, or a museum, whatever....go exploring, and find out what truly inspires you to create. Keep a small drawing pad on hand if you are moved to draw ideas down.  I have a list of New York City museums at my web site that have inspired me.

Timeless advice I would give bead artists of any skill level is to HAVE FUN!  Enjoy the process of creating, and the end results will bring a smile to your face.  I will say, understanding the basics of bead crafting would make that part much easier. That's why I created my poster set for all skill levels.