Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

Clinevalerie — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:27:14 GMT

I am a sensible shoe kind of person but lean toward the kitchen sink as well. I try very hard to keep to the bare min. but I just can't help myself. I am just sure I will need it all and find I don't need any of it and end up lugging it around all day. That's a real drag if you know what I mean. (pun intended) You would think I would learn but I guess I would rather have it with me just in case I do need it, than need it and not have it. for the most part I have'nt needed it yet. My next class I plan to stay sensible shoe style and see what happens. I can always buy what I forgot to bring.LOL

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

Linda@634 — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:01:43 GMT

On the subject of beading adventures, I would like to recommend Lima, Peru. The area near the Santa Domingo Convent is full of bead shops, packed floor to ceiling with beads of all kinds. Everything from wood and pottery to semi-precious stones and silver. And the best part is that the exchange rate is great. Hotels and food are reasonable, and beads are cheap.

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

Gyspy Mary — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:39:27 GMT

I am full-time in a class A RV. So, I loved the sensible shoes idea. I recycle old wooden wine boxes, put the purse handle on one side and a jewelry lock&key on the closure side. I line the top with a favorite bead mat, (reversible colors. ) this will hold enough tools etc to do anything. I plan what I am beading ahead of time for travel days. I make up a dozen or so of my own kits, put pattern and beads ,etc into a gallon ziplock bag. I have a variety of projects to choose from. I bead daily,would love to have web-cam classes available.Mary B.

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

LORI S — Sat, 16 May 2009 19:31:50 GMT

I travel a 3-4 times a year for my day job, sometimes just for a week,but sometimes more. I just got back from 3 weeks in Atlanta. I always figure: evenings in a hotel room, no housework to do, plenty of time to bead! I try to pack the exact beads for one great project, and then an assorment beyond that. If I don't have some propjects in mind, I pack an assortment of sizes in one set of colors - like 8s 11s delicas and 15s in blues and purples, with black, white, silver and gold. I don't bring major wire projects because I fly and they are so strict about weight these days, not to mention tools! I ususlly bring just a foot or so of 20 guage, in case I need to create a finding or 2. however, I am hoping to go to BEadfest philly, and for that I will drive - so I CAN take the kitchen sink!

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

Lou Ma — Sat, 16 May 2009 19:26:55 GMT

I am definitely "kitchen sink" as I travel with my beloved Bead Buddy stuffed to the bulging stage. My granddaughters even gave me a beading light that fits onto my ear like a Bluetooth gadget. Now I have everything I need at hand no matter where I find myself. Amanda: I'm with you. Webcam classes would be wonderful and I know there are more than just aa few of us who can't make our way to Beadfest and thrist for the knowledge imparted there.

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

BLONDIE-POP — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:20:50 GMT

i must say that i am between a kitchen sick and a sensible shoe. i carry just what i need with some wire and extra tools. why carry any more than needed. happy beadin'

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

frozenmoon — Thu, 14 May 2009 08:32:14 GMT

I am kitchen sink plus bed and bath!! :) I am going to asheville to work w/ a wonderful beader there at the end of May and can hardly wait. I'm packing beads daily to take there just to show her and glean ideas.... Just a few days away! Beverly

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

PatS@98 — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:16:35 GMT

Did you create the bead boxes or are they available. Just saw a rather lame craft item at Michael's and I am in the market for something that would be all in one, instead of the myriad of small boxes plastic and otherwise that I usually take on vaca.

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

anna@171 — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:14:01 GMT

Hi I have the kitchen sink but I call it "Have Bead Will Travel" . I've taken it on vacation and when I go to my bead classes here in New Mexico ,USA . It holds every thing I need and more.

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

caroline@53 — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:37:36 GMT

I'm off to the Puget Sound Bead Festival in July. I went last year and took some PMC classes! I had a great time. As I live in Portland my beading/packing solution was easy - I took EVERYTHING (more than the kitchen sink!) as I drove the 150 miles up there! I'll be going to the Portland BeadFest too - Portland has a wonderful public transport system so I'll be taking that!

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

Leslee@5 — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:32:38 GMT

OH! I'm so jealous! LOL The last time I remember hearing about a Bead Show in Alaska it was 150 miles away in Anchorage and I couldn't afford to attend. It sounds like so much fun. Now that the kids are grown up they and the grandkids live the 150 miles away, I now make the trip reasonably often. I fall somewhere between Sensible Shoes and Kitchen sink. If I'm sensible I carry only one of my beautiful handmade (by my dad) wooden boxes. It is about 14 x 16 x 2 inches, it holds my 8 inch divided ceramic plate with beads on it, as well as all kinds of extra tubes and pieces, thread, needles, scissors, wax...etc. There is foam on the inside of the lid so that when the box is closed it presses firmly against the top of the plate holding all the beads in place. It can be carried upright or tucked inside a suitcase. If I opt for the Kitchen Sink I have a wheelie tote the size of a small suitcase that will hold three of my beadplate boxes, as well as having all kinds of side pockets for tools and small plastic divided containers (like for fishing tackle). Which I choose depends on how long I'm going to be gone and how deep I am into a project at the time. I suppose if I were flying the wheelie tote would be out! LOL Have Fun! ~

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

Timaree — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:52:03 GMT

I know this post is meant to be encouraging and helpful but to make it sound like if you just save 20 bucks and a haircut or two pays for a big trip, accomodations and classes is really out in deep space! Prices in the grocery store are up if you didn't notice - we spend more just for necessities and so there is no cutting back to be done. I cut my own hair to so I can buy the supplies I already do. I'd love to take the classes and agree with Amanda. Can't you offer these classes to those who cannot travel and pay for hotels also? Maybe after the show is over? There must be a whole lot of us who can't attend but would pay for a class or two. I take online classes and they work very well.

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

akjacques — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:36:11 GMT

as an instructor and a student, I'm stuck in kitchen sink mode. It was nice to see what happens when you don't pack everything and the.... for a change! Thanks! Andrea

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

TriciaN@3 — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:11:19 GMT

so enjoyed reading your post today. I am not going to bead fest but do take a week-long class every summer....I hate to say I pack the kitchen sink but I do! I drive there. This year I am going with a friend and will work with polymer clay...a relatively new medium for me. May only need a small box....ah, I am kidding no one. Will pack my tools......never know when a piece of metal needs my attention. Have fun! Trish

re: Plotting Your Next Bead Adventure

ripa60 — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:09:06 GMT

Just prepared for a trip. I always do a project when flying. Packed the pattern, beads, beeswax, needles and thread and small clippers in a small cotton case and it is in my backpack and ready for the plane. I do try to "travel light" You sound like you have it all under control. Pat