Hello everyone
I hope you’re not too tired of Bead & Button stories yet! You’ll find there IS a little surprise for you too though when you get to the bottom of this post! 🙂 It was an exciting trip both going to Milwaukee (plane delay causing me to miss my connection, then giving up my great seat so lovebirds could sit together) and coming home (unexpected bump to First Class – good karma!). And the few days that I was there? It really was all they say about BEAD & BUTTON – So Much Fun!
For me, this was first and foremost a great getaway weekend with Lori of Pretty Things. One week prior, I had NO idea I would be flying out to the big show. Somehow it hit me that I could make it happen (with the support of my husband). This was also an opportunity to meet friends who I had only known online – isn’t it incredible to actually give a hug to someone whose blog you’ve been following for some time? The very first person who transcended the “online” to “real-life” barrier was Beth Bricker of Vintage Sweets. I was so happy to meet many jewelry designer/blogging/bead maker friends and only regret that we didn’t have even more time to hang out together.
Me 'n Beth Bricker
A glimpse of the attendees from the U.S. People from Israel to Japan gathered at the annual show.
Lori had arrived before me so she had already scoped out the showroom floor briefly. I had heard that there would be a phenomenal amount of bead shopping, but what really struck me was the quality. This event was above and beyond. If you have a favorite bead artist or bead shop, chances were good that they were there! It was great to actually see products from the Beadin’ Path, Vintaj, or AD Adornments in person. It was a thrill to meet bead artists such as Heather of Humblebeads and Vladislav of Golem Studio (btw,Vladislav and Kremena won in the Bead Dreams Handmade Beads category).
All sorts of finds - AD Adornments
Vintage chains from AD Adornments
An incredible selection of Tibetan capped beads
Another show highlight was viewing the Bead Dream entries in the glass showcases. We walked along slowly, admiring the incredible artwork from lampwork to beadwork.
Shopping for beads with a friend like Lori was so fun. She knows what I like so it was like having two sets of eyes, helping to be sure I didn’t miss the must-see booths (which could account for just about all of them!). Some booths contained such interesting beads/tools/components/demos, and the vendors so engaging, that I sometimes spent an hour in a booth at a time! We both enjoyed perusing through the Kalmbach store as well, and found some cool books that are hot off the press. I’ll share more in a future blog post. It was great to be there to see some of the Beading Across America participants signing their new book and joking around like a tight-knit group of beading sisters.
"Beading Across America"
Now what would a post-bead-show post be without a few BEAD pictures?? I unpacked some of my new beads and took a couple of beauty shots.
New charms and pendants by both Humblebeads and Golem
Tibeten beads: amber, turquoise, coral, lapis, naga shell, carnelian
Vintage and vintage-style from AD Adornments
I interrupt this post for some action, scenes from B&B captured on rare video footage. 🙂 Lori and I would like to give Kerry of KAB’S Concepts a big shout-out for kindly putting this video together for us (she’s an artist and a techie!). Nothing like hanging out in the hotel lobby, uploading video clips, and calling a friend to ask, “er, can you splice together these little videos??” – and she says yes without hesitating.
Okay, no need to wait as stated in the video, let’s get started now!……
Time for the “Back from B&B” give away!
Lori and I wanted to share some of our Bead & Button treasures with you so we’ve put together a little give away. I should say mine is “little” because I know Lori even more to share. The pretty inspirational pack was generously donated from the sweet Beadin’ Path ladies.
If you’d like to enter the drawing, simply leave a comment! I will draw FOUR different winners. Winners will be drawn on Monday, June 20th. Be sure to visit Lori’s blog for more chances to win B&B treasures!
The Bead & Button experience was certainly one for the records for me. Thank you for stopping by and sharing in the weekend wrap-up. Good luck in the drawing!
-Cindy
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