The Loot

Yesterday was wonderful. I made it to the Gem and Jewelry Show that comes to the Dulles Expo Center 4 times a year.

When jewelry making is constantly on your mind, and you can’t resist adding one more bead to your stash, then this is an event you don’t miss. Okay, I know I really don’t need another bead! But it’s so much fun to look, and to talk with complete strangers who share the same passion. You meet all types there…..the Mom who left her 6 month old for the first time with her husband so she could attend the show (my little baby was with me for the 3 hours I was there, and yes he got heavy!)….a woman trying to convince herself she didn’t need a whole strand of beads when she only needed one for a pendant, a woman buying the biggest turqouise chunks I’ve ever seen because she’s from Texas and everyone likes them BIG in Texas… I feel right at home there and feel such a rush of excitement when I walk through the doors. I recognize the vendors and know if their booths are in a different spot. I spoke to a pearl vendor who came all the way from CA and travels every week to a new show in a new state. That is the life behind the scenes.

I left with a big bunch of all types of beads, perfect for my next inspiration.

Onyx and Ebony Wood

Serious Silver Stash

Plenty of Pearls

I really like this bunch of pearls…rice pearls, stick pearls, nuggets and blue coin pearls (my favorite).

What more could a girl want?  And when I came home, the house was cleaned by my super husband (and the kids)!  I couldn’t believe it.  Now today was his day to have some fun.  He’s down in Williamsburg running a half-marathon.  I’m not so sure that’s my idea of fun.

Oh, and another little beady event this weekend….a fabulous jewelry designer, Lorelei is hosting a Swap/Trade on her popular blog.  I was lucky to snag a spot yesterday morning.  She made up a bunch of earrings and is trading them for BEADS (or chain, findings, anything she can incorporate in to jewelry).  I thought this would be fun.  But instead of sending her beads from my overflowing collection, I started making her some components in copper wire.  I thought, why not send her something different, something she probably won’t receive from the other 17 participants!

That’s all for now…’til next time! 🙂