Hello everyone
I hope you’re not too tired of Bead & Button stories yet! You’ll find there IS a little surprise for you too though when you get to the bottom of this post! 🙂 It was an exciting trip both going to Milwaukee (plane delay causing me to miss my connection, then giving up my great seat so lovebirds could sit together) and coming home (unexpected bump to First Class – good karma!). And the few days that I was there? It really was all they say about BEAD & BUTTON – So Much Fun!
For me, this was first and foremost a great getaway weekend with Lori of Pretty Things. One week prior, I had NO idea I would be flying out to the big show. Somehow it hit me that I could make it happen (with the support of my husband). This was also an opportunity to meet friends who I had only known online – isn’t it incredible to actually give a hug to someone whose blog you’ve been following for some time? The very first person who transcended the “online” to “real-life” barrier was Beth Bricker of Vintage Sweets. I was so happy to meet many jewelry designer/blogging/bead maker friends and only regret that we didn’t have even more time to hang out together.
Me 'n Beth Bricker
A glimpse of the attendees from the U.S. People from Israel to Japan gathered at the annual show.
Lori had arrived before me so she had already scoped out the showroom floor briefly. I had heard that there would be a phenomenal amount of bead shopping, but what really struck me was the quality. This event was above and beyond. If you have a favorite bead artist or bead shop, chances were good that they were there! It was great to actually see products from the Beadin’ Path, Vintaj, or AD Adornments in person. It was a thrill to meet bead artists such as Heather of Humblebeads and Vladislav of Golem Studio (btw,Vladislav and Kremena won in the Bead Dreams Handmade Beads category).
All sorts of finds - AD Adornments
Vintage chains from AD Adornments
An incredible selection of Tibetan capped beads
Another show highlight was viewing the Bead Dream entries in the glass showcases. We walked along slowly, admiring the incredible artwork from lampwork to beadwork.
Shopping for beads with a friend like Lori was so fun. She knows what I like so it was like having two sets of eyes, helping to be sure I didn’t miss the must-see booths (which could account for just about all of them!). Some booths contained such interesting beads/tools/components/demos, and the vendors so engaging, that I sometimes spent an hour in a booth at a time! We both enjoyed perusing through the Kalmbach store as well, and found some cool books that are hot off the press. I’ll share more in a future blog post. It was great to be there to see some of the Beading Across America participants signing their new book and joking around like a tight-knit group of beading sisters.
"Beading Across America"
Now what would a post-bead-show post be without a few BEAD pictures?? I unpacked some of my new beads and took a couple of beauty shots.
New charms and pendants by both Humblebeads and Golem
Tibeten beads: amber, turquoise, coral, lapis, naga shell, carnelian
Vintage and vintage-style from AD Adornments
I interrupt this post for some action, scenes from B&B captured on rare video footage. 🙂 Lori and I would like to give Kerry of KAB’S Concepts a big shout-out for kindly putting this video together for us (she’s an artist and a techie!). Nothing like hanging out in the hotel lobby, uploading video clips, and calling a friend to ask, “er, can you splice together these little videos??” – and she says yes without hesitating.
Okay, no need to wait as stated in the video, let’s get started now!……
Time for the “Back from B&B” give away!
Lori and I wanted to share some of our Bead & Button treasures with you so we’ve put together a little give away. I should say mine is “little” because I know Lori even more to share. The pretty inspirational pack was generously donated from the sweet Beadin’ Path ladies.
If you’d like to enter the drawing, simply leave a comment! I will draw FOUR different winners. Winners will be drawn on Monday, June 20th. Be sure to visit Lori’s blog for more chances to win B&B treasures!
The Bead & Button experience was certainly one for the records for me. Thank you for stopping by and sharing in the weekend wrap-up. Good luck in the drawing!
-Cindy
Didn’t you just love Ad Adornments booth? I can stay in Kathy’s booth forever! I am lucky because she comes to bead shows in Nashville twice a year.
I know you and Lori had such a grand time ….maybe next year I will get to meet you girls!
Looks like You had an awesome time!! Count me in!!
Beautiful! Great giveaway! And I love those corset rings!!
awesome finds! Thanks so much for this chance to share in the fun! (sigh) Maybe next year I’ll be able to go and share the fun live.
Count me in! Looks like you ladies had TONS of fun 😀
I just read Lori’s post, too. It’s great you were able to join her and double the fun of the show – it’s always better when you have someone there to say ‘Oh, look!’ and share the excitement.
wow, gorgeous goodies!!! pick me pick me!!!!!
What a wonderful bunch of stuff, and I am drooling over those pics. One day I’ll save up like, $5000 just to spend on beads and I’ll go! haha
OH WOW!
You guys both look tired… which can only mean one thing- you must of had a GREAT TIME! YAY! I sure do wish that I could have joined you two. 🙂
The give-away looks wonderful… thanks SO much for a chance to win! YAY AGAIN!
I can’t wait to see what you creat with all your awesome finds.
Sounds like fun!! Thanks for sharing.
elahnah@aim.com
Count me in, I hope I win!!
Oh Cindy, thanls for sharing, its almost like been there with you and Lori – and maybe someday I’ll make it there:-)
Looks like you guys had a great time! And thanks so much for the all the photos and the video of the show! Next best thing to being there! Have fun with your beads and thanks for the giveaway!
Count me in! Sounds like a fun adventure! A bunch of us will be meeting up at Beadfest if you’re coming….join us!
looks like you have a wonderful time ,such an amazing assortment of beads ..thanks for sharing with this great giveaway
I’m so jealous! I think I would die being surrounded with so many beautiful beads!
Thanks for giving us all this opportunity to share in it.
Thanks for sharing all the gorgeousness at Bead and Button!
Wow! Thanks for the video and pictures – it must have been heaven!! Looks and sounds like you both had so much fun and met so many great people. I am hoping to go next year. Thank you for the chance to win.
How were you not overwhelmed? So much gorgeousness.
Wow – looks amazing! Going to that show is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for having a giveaway!
Nice coverage of the big show, love your photos, I should’ve had you just go ahead and buy one of each for me, too! It was great to meet you in person, Cindy, brief as it was, but so many beads and so little time! What a fantastic Giveaway, things I actually NeeD. I think what we all need right now is more storage space!
Cindy you are indeed the best girlfriend for surprising Lori like that and I so love the video of the two of you. It was a great consolation for not being able to attend.
You are truly blessed. I would think I’d died and gone to heaven in that venue. I see it in my future ;-D How were you able to choose those beautiful beads with all the choices before you? Your purchases are very inspiring. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
What a fantastic opportunity to meet with other blogers and designers.
Please count me in for this not so little giveaway.
oHi Cindy! Looks like a great time was had by all. I certainly hope to make it to B & B one day.
Oh, how much fun that must have been. What a shame to be so far away from the US. But we will be having an event in Hamburg in August – and I will be there!
So much fun! Thanks for sharing and I LOVE the video. Way to go!
I was with you in spirit! I’d like to win a little piece, live vicariously. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Drooling over your pictures. The corset rings are ingenious and I love the brass/bronze coloured stuff from Ad Adornments, right up my street. Glad you guys had fun!
I am so jealous!! (I can’t travel or else you would have met me there!) Looks like so much fun! Thanks for the giveaway!
It sounds like you had so much fun! What generous giveaways from the both of you 🙂
What awesome treasures. The colors are sumptuous!
Thanks for sharing! I have to get there one of these years. I would love an opportunity to win some goodies from the show…then I will feel better about not being able to go 🙂
Thank you for the chance to win some goodies. I’ll bet you gals had a blast. swopemelmel@aol.com
So glad you all had a great time, fun stuff you found. Hope to see you both soon:-)
The two of you look like you had such a wonderful time!!! I truly wish I could have been there. Thank you for sharing and giving us a glimpse of your trip! And, thank you too for this chance to win some of the “goodies” from the show…You two are awesome!!! :0)
Stephanie
stephanie_mcginley@hotmail.com
The beads you brought home look amazing! The show would be a fabulous experience but likely very overwhelming with just too many decisions about what to buy. Don’t know if you ship to Canada, but worth a shot. I am new to reading blogs, and hope to have one of my own someday. Thanks for sharing your experience!
What a wonderful post, I’m loving all the Bead and Button stories, i soooo wish i could have come, it would be wonderful if we could have some thing as awesome as the Bead and Button show in the UK, oh well maybe one day my dream of visiting the states will come true
Love you bead “goodies”! Those vintage metals are cool! Thanks for showing the pics of the Bead Dreams entries, very cool! Love the corset rings and those porcelain garden beads are lovely!
Stephanie
What a great post Cindy! It really made me feel like I was able to experience the show first hand- without being there. I love that you made it all happen last minute. I was soooo tempted to leave my house guests. My rational side took over and I decided against it. : ) You definitely picked out things I would have chosen.
Thanks for the neat giveaway opportunity!
I know you guys had such a great time! That was so neat to decide to go at the last minute! I read Loris post too a great read. Thanks for the chance on this Giveaway Cindy!
This giveaway is great for those of us who can’t get to these major shows!
Thanks for the chance!
I love the treasures you bought for yourself. My favorite are the tibeten beads. I would do a double dare for a batch of those babies. Sounds like a lot of fun and the trip filled your creative spirit to the brim. You will be busy for the next couple of months. I will have to keep my eye on your shop to see what pops up.
OMG! that is a whole lotta bead goodness! GORGEOUS! thanks for sharing I so wish I could have been there!
Awesome! Would love to have that inspiration pack from Beadin’ Path. I am now on a mission to get me some of those vinyl flowers. 🙂
I so believe in karma. See? You gave up your seat for the lovebirds and what did you get? First class on the way home! Right on!! Way to go, Cindy. Good for you! Now, beads. I would love to just sit and play with all of those gorgeous beads. They are something else! I’ve never seen anything like those Tibetan beads and holy crow! are they ever beautiful. And all the stuff from AD Adornments. Also gorgeous. Don’t you just want to fondle them and revel in what a lucky girl you are??? Ha! I hope I win. I really, really, really hope I win. Thank you for doing the giveaway! And welcome home. On to Lori’s…
Thanks for sharing your trip to B&B with us and some of the booty!! Such a sweetie
I would love a chance to win! You must have had so much fun!
I enjoyed hearing about the Bead & Button Show and seeing your great finds. Thanks for the chance to win your give away.
Linda
Sounds like you girls had a great time! I can’t imagine how overwhelmed I would be by all the choices! Maybe some year…