Annlee has been beading for more than 30 years but said that it was only after attending a master class in the United States that she became inspired to teach.

Then, 18 months ago she made the decision to set up her own studio for her business Kiss Beads from home which she said is a dream come true. 

“It means I can spend a lot more time at home and obviously a lot more time beading,” she said.

“My husband always jokes that when I am in my studio, time melts away because I always lose myself in here.”

Annlee first caught the beading bug when she was a child and after losing her grandmother, was inspired to make a project from some pearls she inherited. 

“Both my mother and grandmother were very creative people,” she said.

“When I found those pearls I knew I wanted to learn how to make something of them.”

In 2003 Annlee was invited to attend a master class at Bead and Button in the United States, where she said her instructor told her she should go home and teach others her skills. 

“There is a lot about beading that you can’t learn from a book,” she said.

“Because I had taught myself so much, there is a lot that I can now pass on to others.”

Annlee’s main focus now is teaching beading and designing pieces and bead kits.

This week she will be taking part in the Stitches and Craft Show at Newcastle Entertainment Centre (September 11-14).

One of Australia’s biggest craft shows, the features will include exhibitors, hands-on workshops, fashion parades, textile exhibitions, the latest products, DIY ideas and much more.