AD-Florida Fall Classic Intergalactic Bead Festival Oct. 25-26, 2003 Clearwater, FL

Florida Fall Classic Intergalactic Bead Festival Clearwater, FL Oct. 25-26, 2003

10AM - 5PM Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26 - Minnreg Center (Honeywell Complex) - 6340 126TH Ave. Largo, FL From I-275 Exit 31B (Old 18) west on Ulmerton Rd. south on 66TH St. (FL ST RT 693) then east on 126TH Ave. Located south of Ulmerton Rd. between FL ST RT 688, FL ST RT 693 and FL ST RT 19. Follow signs

Thirty-three vendors from twelve 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

Intergalactic Bead Shows

44 Tusculum Heights Dr Ste B

Greeneville, TN 37745

(888) 729-6904

(423) 638-1651 FAX

PRESS RELEASE FOR FLORIDA FALL CLASSIC INTERGALACTIC BEAD FESTIVAL FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW

Clearwater, FL The Florida Fall Classic Intergalactic Bead Festival will take place 10AM-5PM Saturday, Oct 25 and Sunday, Oct 26. Thirty-three vendors from twelve states will show and sell their wares of ancient to modern beads, bead books, beading supplies, and finished beads, at the Minnreg Center (Honeywell Complex) - 6340 126TH Ave. Largo, FL 33773 From I-275 Exit 31B (Old 18) west on Ulmerton Rd. south on 66TH St. (FL ST RT

693) then east on 126TH Ave. Located south of Ulmerton Rd. between FL ST RT 688, FL ST RT 693 and FL ST RT 19. An interesting mix of history and art, this bead extravaganza will feature over eighty-eight 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 Florida Fall Classic 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 bead artists and shops as listed below. Local artist Joseph H. Spencer of Spencer Art Studio, Safety Harbor FL, the 78 year old Pioneer of torch fire enameling, will give free demonstrations of torch fire enamel bead making at the festival this weekend. Among his other credits, Mr. Spencer was Artist in Residence at the Clearwater Kapok Tree Inn for seven years, as well as having been a Guest Artist at Disney World and Sea World in Orlando, FL. His completely new collection of torch fire enamel beads will be unveiled and on sale to festival attendees. Local shop owners Tracey Jackson & Tonda Wilkinson of The Bead Hut, Gulfport, FL will act as a welcome center for the festival. They will bring a wide assortment of eclectic beads from their full-service bead shop. Located next door to its sister store, B C Bay Trading Company, in the heart of the Gulfport Art Village, Tracy describes The Bead Hut as "a unique store filled with unusual and different items including horn, shell, wood, African trade beads, sterling silver and gold findings, books, tools, and stringing materials. Customers tell us they have never seen another bead shop like us!" Of particular interest to local attendees will be the shop's class schedule, which includes workshops with nationally recognized glass artisans, as well as beginning and advanced lampwork and silversmith classes, basic bead stringing, and bead stitching classes for beaders of all levels. What a treat it will be for festival attendees to be able to rub elbows with the National Bead Society's Glass Beadmakers of the Year for the past two years - They are as follows: Local glass beadmaker and 2003 honorary Lea Zinke, Jewelz of Clearwater, FL; and the just announced honorary for 2004, Beth Olson, Olson Glass, Kissimmee, FL. While each artist has a unique style and method of making her beads, the basic underlying technique and age-old tradition of their craft remains the same. Zinke specializes in garden floral beads, and Olson in her amazing use of sculpture and creature forms. Each of these women has made a name for her self in the glass beadmaking world. The National Bead Society is proud to support and honor their contributions to the craft. Local glass lampwork beadmaker Tracy Nelligan, Turtle Moon Arts Studio, Saint Petersburg, FL, will be on hand to show and sell her beautiful assortment of handmade glass beads. Specializing in coordinating color bead groupings, Tracy has been making beads for about six years in her home studio. She favors muted earthy tones as well as blues and greens, and she also makes character beads in various shapes and styles such as palm trees, fish, lizards, mermaids and frogs. A jeweler as well as glass beadmaker, Tracy also makes her glass beads into pendants, wire wrapping them as well as setting the beads in silver. To complement her pendants, she also offers coordinating handmade silver beads, Bali silver, and bone beads. Glass lampwork artisan Susan Davis, Suze!, Naples, FL began her art journey at an early age, dabbling in textiles, painting, photography, and raku pottery. About eight years ago, she was introduced to the allure and fascination of glass beadmaking through a workshop presented by the Florida Society of Goldsmiths, and she hasn't looked back since. According to Davis, "Glass beadmaking allows me to express thought in an abstract way, yet satisfies my fascination with surface texture, color, and three-dimensional form". A member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, Davis' metallic and mother of pearl powder finished glass beads reflect an earthy, peaceful luminescence that is inspired by the natural world. 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 bracelets, pendants, necklaces, and earrings. The various artists, vendors, and collectors brought together by The Florida Fall Classic Intergalactic Bead Festival will be bringing Clearwater 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