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Bead Fest 2012
Bead Fest Spring has quickly come and gone. But spending a quick Friday and Saturday there was enough to send me home with new friends, new skills, and plenty of new beads! It felt good to be on the road with my friend Jeanette after a pitstop at the post office (to send off a special project and a package of buttons for my Button Swap partner). Once we arrived we were happy to be greeted by Interweave author and editor, Denise Peck.
The sales floor was filled with really unique beads – so worth it to see the strands in person. It seemed to me that there were beads available that you just can’t seem to find online. I like to buy beads in person and really see what kind of quality I am purchasing.
Metalliferous is known for its vast range of metal components. Their booth seems to be on everyone’s must-see list. Although I spent the most time looking through cards of antique buttons at the show, this bin of vintage stampings comes in a close second!
Many of us attend bead shows not just for the beads, but to meet up with our friends that are scattered across various states…and oftentimes people that we are meeting for the first time. For dinner, it was an group of “old” friends – we’ve all met before and share some history. Pictured below: Me, Laura Twiford, Sandi Volpe (our roomie), Laura’s daughter Lindsay, Rosanne and Jeanette.
Laura always knows where to go for good ice cream. Here we are enjoying homemade ice cream sandwiches at Zwahlen’s… apparently they make their ice cream fresh several times a day! It was SO good.
Although we were still up at 1:00 a.m. talking, we were up again at 6:30 a.m.to get ready for an 8:00 class. This shows real commitment to beading, wouldn’t you agree? It’s been a while since I took a class for fun, and Jeanette and I were lucky to take one with an artist whose work transcends a wide range of mediums. Gail Crosman More is highly-regarded for her lampwork, and so much more. For the brass mesh bangle workshop, we learned a bit about one of her other areas of expertise – bead work. I love the bangle that we made – and went home with a new knotting technique under my belt. 🙂 And speaking of instructors, I was happy to stop in and say hi to Barbara Lewis and her son while she taught an enameling workshop. She can really pack the house with her love of torch-fired enamels, and it was neat to see a new group of enamel enthusiasts, having taken this fun class myself a few years ago.
The day ended on Saturday with an art bead swap with a bunch of online jewelry friends. This was the first time for me to meet all but one of these ladies for the first time in person. Diana Ptaszynski organized the swap and had cool buttons and stickers for our group, the East Coast Bead Mafia.
Top Row: Erin Siegel, Lorelei Hill Eurto, Jan Onipenco, Nancy Schindler, Me, Diana Ptasynski, and Vanessa Gilkes.
Bottom Row: Melinda Orr, Staci Klinger Smith, Linda Landig, and Linda Hanes
My bead swap partner was Lorelei, and boy did she spoil me! I love the colors she chose, and everything from the enamel work to the lampwork!
To cap off the day, Erin Siegel offered a mini workshop featuring a couple of earring designs that she’ll be teaching at the August Bead Fest. Erin was so prepared, with tools, beads, and great handouts for all of us. Learning techniques with Irish waxed linen was really fun…and I think I am a new fan.
After all of these months, it was so great to see Erin and Lorelei’s new book in person for the first time! Erin, Lorelei, and all of the contrubutors have a lot to celebrate….their new book is beautiful!
Erin and Staci
One of the pairs of Irish linen earrings taught by Erin –
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great trip!! I’m sad I couldn’t be there to hang out with such a fun group of gals. Can’t wait to see what goodies you found while you were there.
It was so much fun getting together for dinner and ice cream of course, the time just goes by too fast! I could sit and talk and visit for hours! Those brass beads you found with what looks like lapis and turquoise banding through the middle are gorgeous, I missed them, who had those? I did buy some pearls that had rhinestone banding, loved them. Your bracelet is fantastic! Look forward to seeing you again soon!
Looks absolutely divine!
Sounds like so much fun- maybe next year I will be able to work it in. I have to go clean my computer now – as I drooled over it while looking at those great beads, stampings, earrings and of course the ice cream!!
Nice to chat with you Cindy ~ Love that bracelet!!
It was a lot of fun! I hope to stay longer this summer. It helps that I live 30 mins away! 🙂
So happy to see this post this am…I was excited to see how the show went! Your post did not disappoint! What a fun group of people to hang out with…and I also bought a roll of waxed linen as that is such a neat component to add to metalwork…and oh to be able to rummage through the Metalliferous booth…heaven on earth! The bracelet is wonderful too…a road trip with a friend is the best, isn’t it?
Do you plan to recreate (sell) the brass mesh bangle you listed from your trip. I would be interested if that is the case!
Oh, sounds like so much fun–learning new techniques, hanging out with friends, and shopping. It doesn’t get much better than that! I wish I wasn’t so dang far away stuck here in Florida. Maybe next year!
How Wonderful!! I’m sure I would have passed out looking at all the delicious beads and findings…Oh dear me,I’m already feeling lightheaded just thinking about it..heehee.
Is it in NY every year? That is totally do-able…and I would love to see you again my friend.
Hugs,Cat
Sounds like the perfect weekend! The bead strands pictures are beautiful and those metal stampings – Wow! LOVE the waxed linen earrings. Waxed linen is near and dear to my heart. Glad you had such a great time with friends and you got to take some classes- instead of just organize them. I need a good bead show soon! I guess it will be Bead & Button for me.
The earrings are GREAT, and with your shorter hair they’ll look awesome, I’m sure. Hope you show us some of your beads — really wish I could have made it this time.
Oh it looks like a good time was had by all!! What fun to learn and laugh and it’s all about beads! I can’t wait until Milwaukee!!
Cindy, it was so great to meet you in person! I had a blast! The earrings were so fun to make and the bracelet you created is impressive!
Sounds like an absolute BLAST!! I think I could immerse myself in those vintage stampings. What DID you end up buying?
Thanks for sharing your Bead Fest fun with those of us who couldn’t go! 🙂
Cindy, you are a great artist that I’ve admired online for years. To get the chance to meet you and then on top of that, have you in my class was just surreal and sublime! Your earrings look fantastic and you were a natural with the knotting and the waxed linen. Thank you very much for the great pics, too! I hope you don’t mind, I used your group shot in my post about the bead swap for the Art Bead Scene blog!
Seem to have so much fun =)
I love the metal beads from Metalliferous. The stones look so gorgeous.
Looks like you had a great time! Your pictures are fabulous!
What a great time you had. Love your bracelet and earrings. I’m counting the days … Milwaukee!!
Thanks for allowing those of us who couldn’t make it, to share a little, Cindy…loved your pictures!
So much fun! I would be in heaven to see all these wonderful people in person. And those beads—-oh my I could spend a ton of money there!
Thanks for sharing!
Looks like great girl fun! I love going to BeadFest so I can visit my favorite booths, and meet online buddies!
So SO jealous !!! I would just love to roll in all those beads and eat ice cream! Sounds like the perfect weekend!
Sorry I missed this post! I want to go shopping with you! You find the best things! Looks like a lot of fun was had. Makes me want to hurry things up for Bead & Button! You all look so great. Thanks for sharing your experience. Enjoy the day! Erin
Thank you for the link to Hand of the Hills.
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