Smoky Mountain States Intergalactic Bead Festival Asheville, NC November 22-23, 2003
10AM - 5PM Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23 NC National Guard Armory - Asheville, NC From I-240 Exit 1B north on Brevard Rd. From I-40 Exit 47 north on Brevard Rd. Follow signs.Over thirty-six 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 BGreeneville, TN 37745
(888) 729-6904
(423) 638-1651 FAX
PRESS RELEASE FOR SMOKY MOUNTAIN STATES INTERGALACTIC BEAD FESTIVAL
Asheville, NC The Smoky Mountain States Intergalactic Bead Festival will take place 10AM-5PM Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23. Thirty-six vendors from twelve states will show and sell their wares of ancient to modern beads, bead books, beading supplies, and finished beads, at the NC National Guard Armory - Asheville, NC. From I-240 Exit 1B north on Brevard Rd. From I-40 Exit 47 north on Brevard Rd. Follow signs. An interesting mix of history and art, this bead extravaganza will feature over one hundred 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 Smoky Mountain 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 many local bead artists and shops, some of who are listed below. Local bead shops Chevron Trading Post & Bead Co, owner Deborah Coule,
32 Lexington Ave. and Beads and Beyond, owner, Barry Olen, 19 Wall St, will serve as welcome centers for visitors to the two-day event. Both will showcase expanded facilities and will offer visitors helpful insights into their products and services. These establishments are a wonderful source of advice on local attractions, and they are always happy to provide answers to attendee's beading questions. Both stores are filled with beads, beading tools, crafting equipment, supplies, and of course, advice and guidance on how to make your beading project unique, beautiful, and well constructed. What a treat it will be for festival attendees to be able to rub elbows with two of the National Bead Society's Glass Beadmakers of the Year - They are as follows: Local glass beadmaker and 2002 honorary Patti Cahill, Dyed In The Fire Designs of Mars Hill, NC; 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. Cahill specializes in vividly colored and precisely patterned dot beads, while Olson has perfected the amazing technique of glass sculpture and creature beads. 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. In the world of glass lampwork beadmaking, artists often express their individuality by developing a signature style. The result is a collection of beads that is an identifiable, unique representation of their art. Local glass artist Timothy Holahan, Holahan Glass, Arden, NC creates glass beads with a visual texture that resembles a snake or lizard skin. Holahan begins his beads by swirling one or two colors of glass with black glass and then he adds either raised or inlaid dots to finish the design. His seemingly simple use of color allows him to create striking beads that work as well grouped together as they do paired with other beads. A graduate of the Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Holahan started blowing glass in 1991 and his work has been featured at numerous galleries in Asheville. He initially added beads to his glass repertoire because they are a less physical art form that requires only one person to produce. Holahan can be seen blowing glass at "The Crucible Gallery" in downtown Asheville. Offering handmade Nepalese silversmith beads, crafts, and jewelry, Jeri Gerard and husband Wayne Hall, A World of Good, Takoma Park, MD, originally intended to import goods as a means to cover the cost of Jeri's travels. Once started, however, the idea was so intriguing and the demand was so high that it quickly grew into what is now their full-time family business. Jeri does the majority of the travel, mostly to Nepal but also to Tibet, while Wayne acts as the representative to the many domestic shops and businesses that A World of Good distributes to. As importers doing business in developing countries, Jeri and Wayne are mindful of the benefits and hazards of the trade. By knowing many of the artists personally, they are able to ensure the quality of the merchandise and the conditions under which the items are produced. What sets them apart from other importers is their integral respect for the spiritual and cultural aspects of the artisans and their goods. To Wayne, it is as important to relay the symbolism and history of a piece to the customer, as it is to describe its beauty. A World of Good is currently working on setting up tours to Nepal and Tibet as a part of their yearly forays. 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 Smoky Mountain States Intergalactic Bead Festival will be bringing Asheville 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.