So many beads - so little time

Bead Fest, sponsored by Interweave, was in King of Prussia this past weekend. These fantastic bead shows, so close to our house, are something we tend to take for granted. (Michael pointed that out to me. I hadn't thought about it. I guess I was taking it for granted.)

Watching so many people take their baggage upstairs to their hotel room made me realize that while there are tons of people who come from out of town and have to stay for the weekend (like that's a hardship??), Michael and I can just zip up the road - and in 40 minutes... we're there. Very cool!


We DO have our favorite vendors - for silver - for Swarovski crystals - and some for gemstones, although that's a little tougher. It's so hard to know when you're getting the truth. Like when you pick up some beads that are hot HOT pink and the vendor tells you that the beads are natural stone. Yeah... right!

We are finding that sometimes we have to pay a little more in order to know that we're buying from someone reputable. In case, you're looking for reputable vendors, our all time favorite is Atlantic Gems with Rahul and his family.

We went on Sunday and we had a GREAT day! As you can see, we got a few goodies! We are finding that if we're looking for something specific - it's not there. It never fails! I'm looking for some really pretty tourmaline chips and some pretty turquoise nuggets. Those should NOT be hard to find, but... they must be hiding from us. Anyone have any idea where I can find them?????



The new crystals from China are GORGEOUS - such pretty colors and shapes. We found some pretty gemstones, but not as many as I would have liked. I'd love to find a good source (or two) for gemstones. Suggestions, anyone?

I think we have another bead show coming to Philadelphia in October. We'll have to take our camera next time and get permission from some vendors to take pictures. It's amazing!!!

Bead Show or Bust!

10 days after spine surgery and we made it to the Interweave Bead Fest Philadelphia bead show yesterday and again today. There ARE priorities, you know!

Michael loaded up the ol' mobility scooter and off we went to King of Prussia in search of all things fun and fabulous. The show seemed MUCH smaller this year! The jewelry industry is obviously affected by the lagging economy. And the cost of a booth as this particular show has increased tremendously. All of our favorite silver dealers were there, but there seemed to be a shortage of good gemstone dealers.

We did find some really pretty things that we hope to turn into really pretty jewelry - SOON! We should probably be focusing on fall, but we found some cool, unusual summery things that we couldn't pass up. Maybe I think too much in the "now", but when you see the Brazilian jasper, I'm sure you'll understand.

ANYWAY... it seems to me that beautiful jewelry begins with beautiful components. And pure silver is sooooooo beautiful! I have to say that the Thai silver from Niki Passenier is my absolute favorite!!


We find that it takes longer and longer to "do" a bead show every time we go. We're long past the "grab and go" days. We've developed relationships with dealers and fellow bead shoppers over the past couple of years which makes attending bead shows even more fun.

There's always a certain amount of "catching up" to do - Rahul from Atlantic Gems told us that his sister is graduating from college this May with her Master's in Occupational Therapy. (He also promised to stop and have a pizza with us soon, since he travels I95 through Delaware frequently - and we intend to see that he does!) - A fellow Delaware beader filled us in on the latest happenings at our favorite local bead shop, Sparkles Bead Shop - Time spent with our buddies at Niki Passenier Silver is always fun and - And we missed our friend Ray Cooper from Maine, our favorite lampwork dealer, who has taken some new turns with his glass work. The jewelry-making community in and around Philadelphia is alive and well and we're so glad to be part of it!

Orange and Purple and MORE! Oh my!

Michael and I went to a bead show yesterday. What fun! We decided that this time we were going to focus on getting a few really spectacular things - things that we really loved. We decided that if we buy things that we love working with - love looking at - love wearing (Ok... mainly me. Michael's bead wardrobe is a little limited.), chances are someone else would love them too. Good choice? We hope so!

So... what did we find????

I found some exquisite clear faceted crystal briolettes that are HUGE! I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them yet. I'd love to do something "bridey", but I'm just not sure. I'll have to look at them a while and see.

Michael saw some Amethyst that caught his eye - BEAUTIFUL! By the time we got home, I had an idea for a bracelet that I wanted to make with them. Maybe we can get it up on Etsy tomorrow.

Then there were some 14mm round, faceted Citrine beads that virtually leaped from the table into my hands! I tried to put them down, but they refused to leave me. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!) What could I do but buy them. They're not the standard yellow Citrine that I'm used to seeing. They are very special. The picture is a little strange with the light shining through the facets. The string appears zig-zaggy. But the beads are GORGEOUS!

The last "find" were some beautiful round 16mm Carnelian beads - again, very pretty - more unusual than what I'm used to finding. I do have some ideas for them, so you may see them here soon. So pretty! SO pretty!

Have a great day!

jane