Picture HEAVY Bead Fest post

 Early Saturday morning I hopped into the Impreza and headed down to Cortland NY to pick up Nancy Schindler. Road trip to Philadelphia P.A. (side note: 2 min. in the car, I realized someone had stolen my GPS system while the car was in our own driveway! SO TICKED!)
We arrived in Philly around 11am and headed straight to the Expo center for the show. We picked up Erin Siegel at the hotel- It was so nice to see her - We finally had the chance to celebrate our book release and it was fun to walk around the show promoting the book. We handed out a bunch of post cards to vendors and friends. The excitement out there for the book is amazing and humbling. While there, I saw that Jean Yates reviewed the book on her blog. I am so grateful - she thinks the book is marvelous- check out her review here.

Ahhh beads. It was a much smaller show than the one in August, but some of the usual suspects were there.  As usual I didn't take many photos during the show. My camera is acting up so I only had the iPhone for pics. Here are a few random shots...



 Primitive Earth Beads- Chain!! This was a great booth- we were there several times over the weekend. And we learned the coolest tutorial on making this leather and rollo chain bracelet- come back later in the week for a post after I make one.

 Here's a shot of the day one goodies... we always have to go back to our hotel room and fondle the beads a bit. More shots of beads as you scroll down...


 Saturday night we met a bunch of our blogging and Bead friends at Legal Seafood for dinner.  Diana of Suburban Girl Beads organized the dinner (THANK YOU D!) Diana brought along her husband Colin.  Linda Landig travelled to Bead Fest all the way from Washington state!  Lampworker, Jan Onipenco joined us too! Melinda Orr was there sporting some awesome handmade jewelry she made- I made her take them all off to show me this weekend- She makes the most inspiring things! It was great to see her again! And of course, Nancy, Erin and I were also there to enjoy some seafood. Dinner was amazing.



It was nice to toast all our friends and be in the moment and enjoy each other's company! We are all looking forward to Bead Fest in August as well with even more bead friends...




And now here is the loot....

 Hand of the Hills- I stocked up on my favorite brass and silver spacers/beads and also picked up a few Tibetan amulets and some Saki Silver bronze goodies.






 Went to Theodoras Beads for some Czech glass. I think those seafoam green beads in the center are my most favorite beads I bought all weekend long. Got the last 2 strands.


 Fiber and Beads- Got some seed beads- glass and copper.


 Went a little nuts at the Holy and Pure Gems table-  I don't know what several of these strands are since nothing was labeled. But regardless, they're cool.



 Also stocked up on more polyester chain- They has some that had bigger links that I hadn't seen before.



 Metalliferous- I picked up some JAX patina for metal sheets, and got another sheet of copper with this pretty floral pattern on it. Anxious to try this!



Stocked up on chain of course from Primitive Earth Beads....



Andrew game me this sweet Fox charm, and I got the bunny from the Green Girl Studios booth along with the pewter pieces below! Excited to finally get some of their new pieces like the wolf charm, and Mermaid link and button....






It was such a pleasure to see Barbara Lewis again. She was teaching enameling classes over the weekend. I popped into her booth and bought some of her enameled gears and beads.


I stumbled onto Heather's booth- HMB Studios. I didn't know she was going to be there! I was excited to meet her in person and bought some of her bead sets. Such great colors! She was so welcoming and friendly and I can see we'll be fast friends- wish we lived closer!

Picked up some lampwork flowers from Susan Sheehan. I have seen her work on Etsy and have admired her flowers for a long time. It was nice to chat with her and introduce myself. I anticipate shopping in her store/booth again soon! I just love her work! She works in wonderful colors.

On Saturday afternoon, we all got together for a bit of a bead swap. I was paired up with Cindy Wimmer. She gave me these lovely lampwork beads (Top: DudaMart) and bottom: Melissa Rediger!
I gave her a baggie of beads with a little bit of everything- polymer, lampwork, ceramic, enameled metal- you name it!

I won a door prize from the talented and fun Staci Louise- This etched copper heart that she embellished with a stamped silver oval and rivets. It's really cool and double sided! I loved meeting Staci in person for the first time as well. She's fun and laid back and it will be cool to spend more time with her at the next Bead Fest.

Diana gave us all these fun stickers-  couldn't have said it better myself! A fun trip all around and I am anxious for the next trip this Summer!

Comments

  1. Love all the goodies you came home with and look forward to seeing what you create! I too have returned with (several bags of) some great finds. I am feeling a bit groggy this morning...I think I have a bead hangover!

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  2. You got great goodies!!!! There really were some wonderful gemstones at the show, I went nuts. Glad you like the heart! It was nice to meet you in person too! I had a blast.....I think I may have to stay over in August to hang longer;)

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  3. Oh it looks completely fantastical Thanks for the peek!

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  4. Anonymous4/16/2012

    What great goodies! Looks like fun!

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  5. Wow, looks like you really scored!! Thanks for sharing :)

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  6. Your hit the booths I loved last August. I just received confirmation that I will be one of the vendors at the August Beadfest in Philly, I'm a little nervous but so excited to be seeing some of my bead and blog friends again.

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  7. I always love seeing your bead hauls! Wow. Looking forward to seeing what you do with them.

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  8. Sounds like a lot of fun, and you got some awesome beads! Now I'm even MORE excited for August! Yay!

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  9. Anonymous4/16/2012

    I had so much fun even ifit was only for a little while with you and the other ladies on Saturday! This summer i am spending more time and am going to dinner!

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  10. Sounds like it was oddles of fun. I did drool some over my computer as I was looking at all the goodies!!!

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  11. Thanks for sharing the pictures. I actually like what you iPhone took! Those green beads are delightful and you got some other great things as well. Sounds like it was a blast! Always fun to connect with beady buddies old and new. Enjoy the day.
    Erin

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  12. Ya know, I don't make jewelry but would SO love to go just to see all these great folks! Sounds like it was a blast and your loot is gorgeous.

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  13. You have no idea how green with envy I am...we have nothing on this scale in the UK. I am thinking of coming the the US on holiday and bringing and empty suitcase.I wonder what baggage allowance looks like in beads...?

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  14. Great loot - thanks for sharing!

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  15. It was so great to meet you, Lori and to spend time together! Great bead haul. I'm thrilled to be an honorary member of the East Coast Bead Mafia! :)

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  16. Thanks for sharing your photos!! :) I love those seafoam beads too..... they look like fancy pastas....

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  17. Wow Lorelei! I had no idea you bought all that! LOL!!! Love those seed beads and that polyester chain! I actually had that chain on my to-buy list but never saw it! Oh well. So glad you came down for the weekend! It was great to see you again and I'm REALLY looking forward to August!

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  18. I'm only an hour away from Oaks, but I had to pass on BeadFest Spring because I'm going away on a biz trip this week and I had to save my cash. I'll be there in August though. I'll live vicariously through your photos, though!

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  19. Oh that looks like so much fun. I am so sad I did not get to go and meet you all! I hope to make the August one!

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  20. I'm sure you are going to make some gorgeous jewelry. My favorites are HMB glass beads. Never seen anything like them.
    Christina
    http://www.fauxbilicious.blogspot.com

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  21. such lovely 'eye candy' .... great stash!

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  22. Oh no! Sorry about your GPS. The show looked like fun and I love your loot!

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  23. Wow, thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see what you make with those beauties. I also love Premitive Earth's chain, we do a show in Pompano Beach, FL several times a year and they're the nicest people. Looks like you had a great time.

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  24. Great post! Love all the pics you took. It was so great to see you. I wish we lived closer, but I'm hoping things work out for you to come up in May. It's just around the corner!

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  25. ooohhhhh...
    Your loot so so...gorgeous!

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  26. Candy, candy, candy! And sugarfree to boot!

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  27. Hey Lorelei - I'm just now coming out of the Bead Fest bead coma :) and getting caught up on my readings. It was so nice to meet you and get to hang out just a bit. Hopefully we can meet up again in August at Bead Fest Philly! I'm looking forward to getting my signed copy of your book! :)

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