When I left for Philadelphia Saturday morning, with Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio, I had the best laid bloggy plans. We were headed to Beadfest. I wanted to take pictures of inspirational items, gorgeous gems, beautiful beads, and the people…Here is all I managed:
Once there – it was a frenzy of shopping, familiar faces, chatting, shopping… Such a great day! And the camera stayed in my pocket. Oh well. I can show you the loot, and there is some loot…
A highlight of the day was the Bead Swap organized by Diana of Suburban Girl Studio. This wasnt about a contest, or a challenge, or a blog entry – it was simply a great way to meet, and share the beady goodness with friends old and new! My new friend and swap partner was Meredith Arnold – a very talented and humorous lady! I crashed her class and got a handful of her gorgoeus polymer beads! They are a bit of a challenge as I am a gemstone junkie, but I already am starting to have some ideas!
Then there is the shopping, the loot, the treasure. Lets start with artist beads, shall we?
- Left: lampwork glass beads by Joanne Z
- Center: Ceramic bicycle focal by Melanie of Earthenwood Studio
- Top right: Ceramic charms by Elaine Ray
- Bottom right: enamel and copper from Barbara Lewis/Painting with Fire
Geode slices and fossilezed starfish!
Amazonite, calcedony, mystery gem, sapphire!!!, kyanite.
Moonstone, calcedony (?) and yes, more moonstone…
Apatite, mystery gem, amethyst, smoky quartz, rutilated quartz, moonstone, lapis, garnet, labradorite, amazonite.
I know. I bought quite a bit. I get dazzled by the gemstones in all their glory. But I am officially doing Art on the Avenue in October as a “jewelry/mixed media” artist. Meaning I am juried in for jewelry, a coveted spot, and I am allowed to bring tiles and shrines as well. So excited!
After the shopping and swapping marathon – time for a little wine and conversation! The large group of us settled in at Legal Seafoods, and had a great evening! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet and chat with people whose work I admire, people who were inspirational/influential to me when I began making ceramic beads, people whose blogs I read regularly. Thank you all, it was a pleasure!
Candid camera with Lorelei Eurto and Diane Hawkey. (Elaine Ray and Cynthia Deis look on…)
Nancy Schindler/Round Rabbit, Lisa Petrillo, Lorelei Eurto, Diana P/Suburban Girl.
Mary and Molly Hubbard/White Clover Kiln, Melanie/Earthenwood Studio
Kristie Roeder/Artisan Clay, Melinda Orr, Marsha/Marsha Neal Studio.
I hope there are many future meetings in our futures!
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
So glad you were able to come! I had a blast and ummmm I am drooling over those starfish. I should have bought some! Yay for beads and bead friends!!!
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Hi Jenny
It was fun to tour Bead Fest with you! Just look at the loot! Those fossilized starfish caught my eye… I was just having a conversation with a friend today about them – she used one as a focal in the current issue of Bead Trends.
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We had to have been standing shoulder to shoulder in some of these booths by looking at what you got. We share the same addiction! 🙂 I did the same thing with my camera, said i was too busy fishing out my credit card instead! Hope to see you again at Artbliss
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Yes! ArtBliss it is! I am looking forward to classes and making ceramic charms and pendants for my in room Trunk show! Some new pieces – available for the 1st time! Now if I can get through two shows before then… Yikes.
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