Bead Fest Wrap Up: Part 2...Lots Of Beads!

Aside from taking classes, shopping for beads was (and always is) on my agenda at Bead Fest. My first treasure was a heart shaped ceramic pendant from Suburban Girl Studios. They were being given out along with her business card to students as we checked in Thursday evening. What an awesome way to start the weekend-thank you Diana!

I made a plan to first visit the artisan booths! I purchased from two of my favorite vendors; Jennifer Fahnestock and Green Girl Studios. After salivating over the gorgeous beads at each table, this is what I left with...

Gorgeous lampwork glass and an enameled copper headpin.

Awesome pewter!

These are the some of the other treasures from my Bead Fest weekend...

 I am so in love with these wood beads!

 Tagua nut. 

 Ceramic and gemstone beads.

 Striped agate, dyed blue jade, dyed white turquoise.

Gorgeous citrine!

 Matte agate and cowrie shell.

 Glass; perfect summer colors!

 Sparkling geometric crystal.

 Silver plated brass.

 Red bronze pendants, really love these!

 So thrilled to score more of Marsha Neal's de-stash pendants; woo hoo!

 Butterfly pocket watch and gorgeous chain.

 Fell in love with this electroplated copper leaf!

 Ceramic and some really cool chain.

 Stunning capiz shell mixed with resin and trimmed with fine silver.

Decoupage wood.

Drilled stones and copper toggles.

labradorite

natural turquoise

red jasper

flower jasper 

obsidian

So many new pretties, I honestly think that I have more beads and ideas than I do time to create! 

Place Holder...

I have been on a whirl wind of travel and a crazy to-do list, but I promise that I will post my treasures from Bead Fest soon! I am thinking of having a giveaway as well. I apologize for the extended silence. I really appreciate each and every follower/reader of my blog! Thank you for your patience.

Bead Fest Wrap Up: Part 1

I am back from Bead Fest Spring with plenty of new treasures! Besides shopping, I also took two really great classes. First up was Steel Wire Warm Up with Brenda Schweder.

Brenda taught us about the characteristics of steel wire, how to work with it and finish it (so it doesn't rust). She also showed us a variety of stunning pieces she created with various gauges. The workshop inspired me and has me eager to try out this wonderful and inexpensive wire. Can't wait to get my hands dirty! If you are interested in working with steel wire, check out her book Steel Wire Jewelry.

On Saturday evening I took a class titled Textured Copper Cuffs with Eva Sherman, owner of Grand River Beads. Eva showed us how to anneal copper with a torch, texture it, form it and rivet it. She also brought in some gorgeous cuffs that she created, wetting our appetites.

She then set us loose to create two-three cuffs of our own. It didn't take me long to get over my torch phobia either! Here is what I created...

Both Eva and Brenda were fantastic instructors! I really enjoyed each class and my newly acquired knowledge. Can't wait to create! By the way, both classes will be offered at Bead Fest in August!

My treasures from Bead Fest will be posted next week...stay tuned for some gorgeous beads and findings!

Witnessing Space Shuttle Discovery's Last Flight!

This isn't bead related, but as a NASA geek I have to share my excitement...sitting in traffic for 45 minutes this morning on the Dulles toll road in northern Virginia was worth it; I got to see Space Shuttle Discovery fly overhead on it's last flight before landing at the Dulles Airport! I am honored to witness such an historic moment! Talk about being in the wrong place at the right time.

Beady Goodness; Just Around The Corner!

One week from today, I will be making my journey to King of Prussia, Pennsylvania for Bead Fest Spring! Besides shopping for beads, findings and other treasures, I have signed up for two classes; Steel Wire Warm Up with Brenda Schweder and Textured Copper Cuffs with Eva Sherman.

 Steel Wire Warm Up                                                   Textured Copper Cuffs
Thursday April 12th 6-9 pm                                                                             Saturday April 14th 6-9 pm

I have been wanting to work with steel wire and thought Brenda's class would be the perfect introduction to it! Creating cuffs has been on my to-do list for a while, so when I saw Eva's class I immediately signed up for that as well! Can't wait!

Anyone else headed to Bead Fest? Taking any classes, which ones? Hope to see you there!