Today I went to the Bead Mercantile bead show, sponosred by Janes Fibers & Beads. IMHO, this is by far the best bead show that comes to our area. Two rooms of vendors, with everything imaginable that has ro do with beads and beadwork, from needles to lampwork.
Lamporkers there included Lea Zinke (whose beads are so detailed and beautiful they actually brought me to tears the first time I saw them), Susan Davis (aka: Suze!) and Shannon Hill. Other vendors there: Newtique, Talisman & Associates, Bead Dreams, LLC, Oriental Treasures, Awesome Beads & Buttons, Blue Sled Ltd, Dragonfly Wings, Karen's Konniseur Beads, Na Bo Row Silver Beads, The Gem Shack, Veni Vidi Beadi, Oriental Secret Garden, Scarlet Fire Beads, Green Girl Studios, Bead-azzled and O'Mega Gems.
The Gem Shack had baggies filled with assorted beads for $3.00 a bag. A goodish size bag, too. I bought 3 bags; one with 4 sets of oriental-looking beads for earrings, one bag of ceramic cat beads, and one bag of assorted ceramic animal beads.
Of course, my main purchase was seed beads and once again, the colors were amazing. $127 later, I had a new supply of purples, blues and greens. Also bought silamide, a bead mat, needles and a Hamanake Kumihimo Disc, which I will attempt later this evening.
While I was wandering the show, someone tapped on my shoulder. I turned around to find the Eye Candy that makes eye candy, Shannon Hill, standing there. He handed me a gorgeous clear and amber-brown conch shell bead he had made a while back. I had asked him earlier this week if he had any on the one-inch clear conch shells he had last year. He couldn't find any, so he brought this one for me, and would not accept payment. He said, "Your money is no good here," at which, I picked up an entire tray of his lampwork and made as if to walk away. He is such a sweetheart and a very talented lampwork artist.
So that's the story of my beady shopping trip today. My "student", who is now making her own beaded toggle clasps, spent over $100 as well. Muhahahahaha!
Linda2