About

From the time I was very young I dreamed of being an artist, designer and a teacher. I'm fortunate enough to have turned these dreams into reality.

I learned crochet, needlepoint, simple beadwork and knitting early in life from my mom, Berti Freed. When I was in college, she and I began studying various types of beadwork more intensely (such as seed bead weaving) as a fun way to relax from our own personal stresses. Over the years, we became obsessed - seriously obsessed. So much so, that upon completing my Master's Degree in Museum Studies, I switched gears and proposed we start our own creative business.

So, in 2006, we launched "The Well Done Experience", a company devoted to teaching others that anyone and everyone has a creative side, and that the act of making something is the reward in itself. Our motto was, "A job done with one's own hands is always a job well done." Though we originally intended to share our knowledge of many techniques, we ultimately limited The Well Done Experience to Bead Crochet education through classes, lectures and DIY kits.

In 2008, we unveiled Chicken & the Egg designs, our first line of beaded jewelry which was sold in the US, Europe and Japan. In 2012, our first book was published,  Bead Crochet Jewelry: An Inspired Journey Through 27 Designs. As much a source of inspiration as a how-to guide, this book has often been referred to as the go-to source for bead crochet.

Simultaneously, I nurtured my love for the fiber arts by teaching in yarn and needlework shops. Starting in 2003 as a sales associate while attending graduate school, I quickly discovered my need to be immersed in a yarn store environment. In the years that followed, I honed my technical skills in knitting, crochet and needlepoint by teaching in different stores in New York City,  and developed my personal style as designer. You can find my original patterns in books and magazines, and on Ravelry.

Now  I am working more independently, though my mom remains an integral part of daily operations. She is always the person whose advice I seek first - whether it be a business decision or color selection. We love bouncing ideas off one another, and remain prolific makers. Though we have scaled back The Well Done Experience, you can still find our bead crochet kits and supplies on Etsy.

In 2015, I launched "Park & Lex", my solo line of intricately beaded gemstone jewelry. You can find the collection at The Store at The Museum of Arts and Design and several other boutiques and galleries around the country, as well as on the Park & Lex website.

I teach regularly at Annie and Co. Knitting and Needlepoint, so I hope to see you in a group class or for a one-on-one lesson. I also offer group workshops for corporate and private events, which make wonderful team-building and bonding experiences.

Please peruse the other pages on this website to learn more about each of these projects. 

Whether you're interested in shopping for jewelry or on a quest to learn a new skill, I'm here to help.

XO,

Dana