Just went to a bead show!

Evalie wrote

on Nov 15, 2009 4:47 PM

 Thought I'd share my enthusiasm with my beading friends on BD. I had no intention of going to this show this weekend. I made a new 'beading friend' through work, and she couldn't go to this one, so I was going to sit it out too. (Didn't really need anything...and I know ALL about the temptation!) So, I started a new project last night, and hit a snag. I needed 15/0 beads in a color to match some natural cat's eye...AND I DIDN"T HAVE ANY! [:'(]

I figured I could just make a quick trip...not counting the hour drive each way.....and be really good....not buy too much...make it really short and sweet, ya know? Well........best laid plans and all that!

I did find some wonderful things I just couldn't pass up. First there was the strand of swiss blue topaz faceted nuggets...then the claw shaped faceted green amethyst....then the 7 colors of 1.5-2mm seed pearls.....oh and the 8" strands of baroque pearls...I just couldn't leave those there!

So, unplanned trip that it was, it was worth it! Spent too much, but got GREAT prices, and the ribbing from Hubby when I got home wasn't too bad. (He knows me well) Now I just have to get ready for the next show in Jan.

                                                                     Evalie

Oh yeah, I really did get those 15/0's that I needed, too.

Gyspy Mary wrote

on Nov 15, 2009 9:56 PM

"oh! I am so jealous. But, Happy you got some goodies too". 15/0 in the perfect colors are often hard to find.

I am one of those people that gets home, and remembers why they went in the first place.

Sounds Like fun to me!

cbreul wrote

on Nov 16, 2009 8:37 AM

 Sounds like great fun. I make a list when I go and always end up with a ton of stuff!  Can never resist.  Would love to see the swiss blue topaz!!!!!!

Courtney

JSmaz wrote

on Nov 16, 2009 9:47 AM

A bead shopping list?  Where's the fun in that???  I do make lists of the 2 or 3 things I actually NEED, but then the "nice to haves" take over...I think we all know the rest.

Sounds like you got a nice haul Evalie.  Wish I could have gone too.

LitaC2 wrote

on Nov 16, 2009 10:07 AM

Evalie -

It sounds like you had lots of fun.  I'd love to see pictures of what you bought - the topaz  nuggets and the claw shaped faceted green amethyst sound intriguing. 

Lita

cbreul wrote

on Nov 16, 2009 12:25 PM

JSmaz:

A bead shopping list?  Where's the fun in that??? 

This is only so I remember what I NEED, not what I want.  The wants always take over.....

cb

Evalie wrote

on Nov 18, 2009 6:57 PM

If the sun shines this weekend, I'll try to post a few photos. The Swiss blue nuggets are a smaller size to some that I bought from the same vendor earlier in the year. They are really gorgeous, and will make perfectly sized earrings, and companion beads to the larger ones.

And, Lita, the claw shape Green Amethyst were SOOOO unusual, I just couldn't bring myself to pass them by. I got a great deal on them, too, because two of the stones had broken tips. Yea!

All in all, I'm really glad I went. This show is in my area every 3 months, and I've found that if I see something...and don't get it then....next time they usually don't have it. I'm definitely a sucker for the unusual stones, so it really makes it hard to hold back when I see them.

Sherri S. wrote

on Nov 20, 2009 11:02 AM

Evalie, I'm so glad to hear you had a good time at the bead show!  Of course, how many of us WOULDN'T have a good time?!  Congrats on your purchases!

A bead shopping list?  I agree, I only take the list so I won't forget to look for something.  But many times, I don't find exactly what I want, or I don't find it at all!  Last year I had lapis on my list, and when I went to the show, none of the vendors had any.  I was later told that a single person came in and bought all of the lapis all of the vendors had.  Talk about greedy!? 

I went to a bead show last weekend, too!  This show comes approximately every 3 months, or 4 times a year - it's the Intergem show (i.e., International Gem and Jewelry Show).  The show schedule can be found on-line. 

This is the 3rd show I've been to this year, only because a coworker begged me to take her to it.  I hadn't planned on spending much, but you know how bead shows go.  I was actually a bit disappointed in this one - there were very few vendors, and two of my favorite vendors were not there, which made it even more disappointing. 

I did FINALLY, after 4 years of looking, find some gold pearls in the exact color I've been looking for since I bought a strand of them when I went to my first show.  This time, I bought about 8 strands, and they're perfect - only $7.50 a strand for 7.5-8mm size!  I should have bought all he had, but I already exceeded my bead budget for the year, even before going to this show. 

It was a fun weekend though.  My coworker paid for a one-night stay at the Marriott, upgraded the room when we got there and had Room Service for dinner - fine food, too!  I just wish I had brought my swimsuit to take advantage of the outdoor hot tubs - it was snowing!  Ever spent time in a hot tub when it's snowing?  Nice!  It was a great time.

Sorry to steal your thread, Evalie!

Evalie wrote

on Nov 21, 2009 12:42 PM

 Sherri,

You can 'steal my thread' anytime you want! I love hearing about everyone elses experience at shows. They just had one of those International Gem shows in the same area as the one I attended (I go to the Innovative Bead Expo). When I went to the site, they mentioned that they had a few "bead" vendors, but it looked like they focused on ready made jewelry more than I cared for. Maybe I'll keep my eye open for the next one and check it out.

Congrats on the gold pearls! That's how I felt when I found my seed pearls in colors other than white!

And I guess you'll have to keep that bathing suit in your suitcase so you can't forget it next time!

                                                                                 Evalie

AndreaM226 wrote

on Nov 21, 2009 5:13 PM

 Swiss Blue Topaz Nuggets!!!!  I want pictures of all your goodies, sounds like you got some great stuff, I'm so jealous - the next Bead Fest here (Santa Fe) is in March, I can hardly wait - I've started a special Bead Fest Piggy Bank that I'm using to squirrel away my pennies - I want some swiss blue topaz!

I'm serious about the pictures!  I's love to see all your goodies, just pile them up, I love show-and-tell.

cbreul wrote

on Nov 21, 2009 6:55 PM

Sherri S.:

I just wish I had brought my swimsuit to take advantage of the outdoor hot tubs - it was snowing!  Ever spent time in a hot tub when it's snowing? 

Sorry to hijack ~ I love being in the hot tub when it is snowing. My parents owned a hotel in Vail when I was growing up and I remember being out in the hot tub when it was snowing!!!! Absolutely wonderful!

cb

Sherri S. wrote

on Nov 23, 2009 12:49 PM

Evalie:

They just had one of those International Gem shows in the same area as the one I attended (I go to the Innovative Bead Expo). When I went to the site, they mentioned that they had a few "bead" vendors, but it looked like they focused on ready made jewelry more than I cared for. Maybe I'll keep my eye open for the next one and check it out.

Can't remember if I mentioned it earlier, but I was disappointed in this November International Gem show.  They had tons more jewelry than they had bead vendors - probably because it's so close to Christmas.  If you go to one of the other shows during the year, you will find a LOT more bead vendors - so definitely give them a chance!

Sherri S. wrote

on Nov 23, 2009 12:54 PM

CourtneyB:

Sherri S.:

I just wish I had brought my swimsuit to take advantage of the outdoor hot tubs - it was snowing!  Ever spent time in a hot tub when it's snowing? 

Sorry to hijack ~ I love being in the hot tub when it is snowing. My parents owned a hotel in Vail when I was growing up and I remember being out in the hot tub when it was snowing!!!! Absolutely wonderful!

Yes........and when its up in the mountains (like in Vail), it's even MORE wonderful! Its nice in the city, but winter hot tubbing in the mountains is divine!  It's an experience all by itself!