AD-December 6-7, 2003 Cleveland, OH Great Lakes States Intergalactic Bead Festival

Great Lakes States Intergalactic Bead Festival Cleveland, OH December 6-7, 2003

Great Lakes States Intergalactic Bead Festival

10AM - 5PM Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 Cuyahoga Fairgrounds - 19000 Bagley Rd. Middleburg Heights, OH From I-71 Exit 235 west on Bagley Rd. approximately 3/4 mile on left. Follow signs.

Over thirty-two vendors from fifteen states with an extraordinary display of ancient, antique, vintage, and modern handmade beads for sale. Also, beadmaking demonstrations, identification and appraisals. Admission: $8.00 Saturday $5.00 Sunday BRING THIS LISTING FOR $1 OFF ADMISSION - 12 years old and under free For Festival Information, 888-729-6904,

If I can provide additional information or answer any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at the below address.

Thanks,

Christopher England Cathy Finegan Intergalactic Bead Festivals International Society Glass Beadmakers

44 Tusculum Heights Dr Ste B 1120 Chester Ave Ste 470 Greeneville, TN 37745 Cleveland, OH 44114 (888) 729-6904 888-742-0242 (423) 638-1651 FAX snipped-for-privacy@isgb.org

PRESS RELEASE FOR GREAT LAKES STATES INTERGALACTIC BEAD FESTIVAL

Cleveland, OH The Great Lakes States Intergalactic Bead Festival will take place 10AM-5PM Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7. Thirty-two vendors from fifteen states will show and sell their wares of ancient to modern beads, bead books, beading supplies, and finished beads, at Cuyahoga Fairgrounds - 19000 Bagley Rd. Middleburg Heights, OH. From I-71 Exit 235 west on Bagley Rd. approximately 3/4 mile on left. Follow signs. An interesting mix of history and art, this bead extravaganza will feature over eighty tables representing the country's finest bead vendors. The fascination with beads is not a new one. People have been admiring, wearing, and praying with beads for over forty thousand years. According to Christopher England, the man behind Intergalactic Bead Shows, "Beads are not a passing fancy. In fact, in the many years we have been hosting bead shows, beads have only grown in popularity." When asked why he thought that was, England's reply was noncommittal. "Perhaps it is because of the satisfaction that comes from applying time and concentration to a small vial of beads to create a three-dimensional piece of jewelry or sculpture. Or, it could be the instant gratification found by stringing a collection of beads into something unique that you can wear that evening. Maybe it is the inspiration one gets from seeing other people's creativity come alive. Or, as one who has attended an Intergalactic Bead Show can tell you, it may simply be the experience of seeing so many colors, textures, and patterns together in one arena that lends itself to the bead frenzy. Attending our shows is like entering a room full of potential." Indeed, this weekend's Great Lakes States Intergalactic Bead Festival will be the premier place to harness the potential of antique and modern beads of every size, description, and material. The festival will also feature local bead artists and shops, some of who are listed below. The International Society of Glass Beadmakers, Cleveland, OH, (ISGB) will be hosting a welcome booth at the festival. Members of the Cleveland chapter, Hot Rod Glass Beadmakers will display a dazzling array of glass beads they have created and will be on hand to discuss the society's activities. For those with the glass beadmaking bug, the ISGB table will be a rewarding learning experience, as attendees will find experts with answers to all of their glass and beadmaking questions among the society's representatives. The ISGB is open to anyone with an interest in beadmaking. They may be contacted at 888-742-0242 or

. Janet Wolery, Contemporary Glassworks, Delaware, OH has been creating beautiful objects from glass for over twenty years. Her specialty is dichroic glass, which is the fusion of micro-thin layers of metal oxides to the glass. Because the transmitted color is different than the reflected color, the glass takes on an iridescent appearance similar to that found in nature on a fish's scales or on a dragonfly's wings. Wolery was initially drawn to dichroic glass because it was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It is this same magic along with the limitless possibilities of the medium that keeps her excited about it today. The use of color and geometrical design in her glasswork sets Wolery apart in her craft, as does her extensive selection of pieces. She will be offering beads, pendants, cabochons, and her trademark barrettes. Artist Elizabeth Chumtong of Saki Silver, Clifton, OH will offer her custom designed sterling silver toggles and clasps along with a stunning display of artisan bead jewelry, including just-received new designs for

2003. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Liz met her husband Sak, a master silversmith, in his home country of Thailand. Together they have partnered with a studio in Thailand to exclusively produce Liz's designs, giving their product a consistent high quality and accuracy to design. In addition to the findings they carry, Saki Silver showcases Sak's own custom jewelry creations along with commissioned pieces from various independent artists in Thailand. For the past three years Sak and Liz have been providing the Cincinnati area with one-of-a-kind treasures at their retail store in Clifton. They also maintain a full-service website. What a treat it will be for festival attendees to be able to rub elbows with the National Bead Society's Glass Beadmaker of the Year for 2004, Beth Olson, Olson Glass, Kissimmee, FL. Both Beth and her husband "Raybaby" specialize in murrine beads, which are glass beads that contain an intricate glass image inside. A murrine is made by first creating the inner image from a mosaic of glass and next stretching it into a cane. The cane is then sliced into individual images, which are incorporated into the finished beads. The Olson's' murrines usually contain a character or animal such as a panda bear, tiger, toucan, or flower. Glass sculptors for over 20 years, both Olson's worked for Disneyland in Tokyo, Japan making glass Disney characters, an experience that is evidenced by their amazing array of tiny sculpture-like beads in the shape of dragons, fairies and flowers. Attendees this weekend will be privileged to experience firsthand how Beth's beads are as delightful and unique as her personality. Visitors to this weekend's festival are sure to find something to delight them from the beads ranging from historical to modern, handcrafted to mass produced, natural materials to the newest in synthetic technology. Along with beads and bead-making supplies there will be numerous finished pieces to choose from, including beaded wrist and ankle bracelets, pendants, necklaces, and earrings. The various artists, vendors, and collectors brought together by The Great Lakes States Intergalactic Bead Festival will be bringing Cleveland the best selection of beads in the galaxy. Let the creativity begin! ####### End #######

-- "IF IT IS GOOD FOR BEADS, IT IS GOOD FOR THE UNIVERSE" WORLD BEAD DAY September 28, 2003

** The Day To Wear Your Beads ** or join others beaders at an bead event near you. the pages of the best bead vendors on the Web and the IntergalacticBead Shows at ATTENDEES may contact the below for show newsletter.CHRISTOPHER ENGLANDINTERGALACTIC BEAD SHOWS44 TUSCULUM HEIGHTS DR STE BGREENEVILLE, TN 37745