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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Thanks for the opp for the giveaway. Someday…I’ll get a chance to go to B&B too. I really appreciated the video. Those of us who don’t go just love to see some of it on our computers. Thanks for thinking of us homebodies!
Fun, fun, fun! One of these days I hope to attend a B&B show. Thanks for the cute video, and the chance to win some goodies!
I am hands-down going to be a B&B attendee next year! Looks like you had a fabulous time. I love that it was more about the people than the beads…makes me realize why I like doing this kind of thing so much!
Jen
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences at the B&B. I do want to go next year but I guess that it will all depend on next year’s budget.
And please enter me for you wonderful giveaway!
Beautiful photos! I hope I can go someday.
you are so welcome on the video help!! i was happy to do it 🙂 now enter me in the giveaway!! my nearly non-existant bead stash *needs* those AD Adornment goodies!!!!
OOOOOH! awesome haul of stuff! I’d love to win!
Oh yes this is great! I Love this Post all about The Bead and Button!
Ohh would Love the AD Adornment things! Just fine wine and maybe its time for a Win for Janet xx Thanks for the chance!
Oh my gosh, so much fun!!!! I really need to go too! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
I’m so saving to go next year!!! Thanks for the great giveaway.
Sigh – someday I would like to go to the show. What fun. Did you take any classes?
It was so fun meeting you both! I wish I had taken more video while i was there, it was just so distracting, all the beads!! Looks like you got some really great things! I am so mad, I missed seeing the Beadin Path booth! What the heck. I thought for sure I saw everything but sure enough, there are a few that I missed. Next year, I gotta try to go at least 2 days! Hope to see you there next year!
So glad that the two of you had such a good time! Thanks for sharing, and loved the video, too!
Sweet Cindy! so glad you were able to go and hang out with Lori! Can’t wait to see what you create from the wonderful pieces you found! Wish I could have been there! Love that Sari ribbon.
Thanks for sharing all the fun from the show. Love your stash of Tibetan beads. Can’t wait to see what you make with all these goodies.
Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Love the giveaway, especially the metal. Hope I win.
I would love to win. I am finding all these B&B posts inspiring. Loved the map.
I would have loved to go to the Bead and Button show, but just couldn’t swing it this year, looks like you had lots of fun!
Count me in! I’m loving all the fun colors. Thanks for sharing the booty.
What beautiful stuff – would love to win! P.S. – I changedmy plans so I can now come to ArtBliss!!!
What an amazing trip! Looks wonderful. Thanks for the chance.
Count me in! Sure wish I could have been there!
I blogged!
Cindy so glad you had such a great time! I visited on Saturday and while I live close it was my first B&B. WOW, my eyes were popping out of my head at all the beautiful beads. I love the artisans I was able to meet as well as some online bloggy friends!
Love your giveaway dear! Count me in!
{Hugs!}
Dawn
Count me in too! I loved your video with Lori.. Good to see you ‘live’. Your trip looked like so much fun… And what a great lot of beads…heaven! Maybe next year I might be one of those pins on a map…! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Jenni
Hi Cindy, what an awesome friend your are surprising Miss Lori i thought that was so cool and OMG it was super cool to accutually hear your voices i enjoyed that very much. I am saving my $ to go next year looks like someone really has to represent Canada there for sure lol. Well your goodies look awesome thanks for sharing if you get a chance pop over i am also having some beady goodness going on
take care ttfn Lana:)
opps i had a big L instead of a small one on my email 🙂
How fun for you to meet up with Lori and other friends! Love the adventure thru your photos and video! Thanks!
Great bounty you found, Cindy.
Funny I was there 2 days and still missed booths! (and the chance to meet you and Lori.)
I found some really cool old findings to try some new techniques which I can’t wait to work on.
Will look forward to seeing what you do with all your goodies.
Yes, B&B is THE mother lode of all shows. Hope you get back here next year.
sandi
SOMEDAY I would LOVE to attend the show…..sounds like a wonderful weekend. Can’t wait to see what you make with your treasures..
Joan
First of all, a BIG thank you to you and Lori for such a fabulous giveaway. I’m so happy for ya’ll that you got to hang out and spend time together. And I totally want to be there next year! Love those sari silks!
Sometimes flying by the seat of your pants is soooo much fun!!! Glad you got away for some bead time! Looks like you found some wonderful treasures! Now get to work and show us some wonderful pieces!!! Ha ha!!
wowie! I thank you both for taking us along with you to BNB. I was sad I couldn’t go maybe next year when my daughter is a little older.
Anyway I thank you for the giveaway I have my fingers crossed!!!
Cindy, it is so great that you two were able to make it to B&B together! I love the video and it looks like you two did some serious shopping! Your photos are wonderful, I especially love the corset rings by Karen Elmquist! They are very cool!
You could see Loris face was all lit up in your picture together! What a sweet surprise! I’ll post this to my facebook and BTW blog . *She who is sooo jealous*
I have just got to get there next year!! I only live 4 hours away!! If I save money each month, I could do it!! Awesome giveaway!
What a great giveaway.
Looks like you and Lori ahd a great time.
I agree with Sally about those sorset rings. WOW!!!
Kathy
Thank you for sharing. I have been surfing the blogs looking for bead candy from the B and B and I got a double header from your and Lori@!
Thanks so much!
Now I will go blog about you too!
Cilla
Fantastic pictures of the show! Your new treasures are gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing your fun with Lori!!
Sounds like you had loads of fun! It’s great to be able to “sneak” away at the last moment to go to an event like this. The goodies look awesome, too 😀
I just blogged about your giveaway.
Thanks again!
Cilla
I loved hearing your report from the weekend o’ fun! And thank you so much for the super generous giveaways! Can’t wait to see who the lucky ones are 🙂
Looks like you all had a great time…so much to look at and bead inspired…makes me want to go.
What a wonderful giveaway! Thank you for the pictures (and video!)!!
Thanks so much for the chance to win these awesome goodies!
Looks like you and Lori had a great time. You are both very generous with your give aways – good luck to everyone!
What a bunch of goodies to share along with the fun time you and Lori had! I’m hoping to be there next year, even if I have to thumb my way there 🙂
All the beads and the colors and textures must have looked amazing. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Thanks for sharing the photos and info with us.
Cathy
Wow, it looks like y’all had a blast at the Bead & Button Show. I enjoyed reading and viewing your treasure hunt. I hope to be able to attend next year, thank you for sharing.
Therese
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