No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

First just let me say – it was two floors of beads. TWO FLOORS. I know it was going to be bad when I saw the floor plan, but a little black and white floor plan is nothing compared to the amazing experience that bead fest philly was. I was intending on doing a walk through of the entire place before buying, but you know what – that only lasted through the first two rows, and then I realized that I was going to be lucky to get through the place before it closed for the day. I and my hapless boyfriend had booked a room at the Radisson next to the convention center, so thankfully I was able to go back the next morning and finish up.

I got an absolute ton of beads – I’ll show off a few of the highlights below, although you can see the full album on my facebook fan page. Because of the amount of handmade bead makers, I spent a lot of time talking to the artisans, although I did also get to check out some great gemstones as well. The absolute best part was when I was done shopping, we went to the sports bar part of the hotel restaurant. It was filled with jewelry makers, crafters, and beaders. If I could find a bar that was always filled like that, I don’t think I would ever have social anxiety again – it was a dream. Other than my incredibly, incredibly sore feet from around five hours of walking through there. I’m buying comfy shoes for next year lol.

Now to the beads:

This is a handmade lampwork bead set and focal by Grace Beads. Her artistic talents just wowed me, and I ended up getting quite a few unique lampwork sets from her. They were pricey, but when you see the sheen of colors under the light, as well as the great designs, you know they’re worth it. She also did the floral rondelles that I love, which I’ve been looking for for quite some time.

Crappy picture I know, but I was trying to get the boxes photographed before I ran outta camera battery. These are gorgeous raku pendants and beads by Olivia of Odd Designs. If you’ve never seen raku ceramic before, you will fall in love with it right away. The depth of colors is just incredible, and it also produces a unique one of a kind look that sets the pieces apart.

The lampwork chili peppers were just too cute to resist, and Eric wants me to make a piece to send to Bobby Flay with them! These were made by Cynthia and they are just super cute.

I FINALLY got to meet my mood bead supplier, Rick from Collective Cottage. He was hanging out and had his second generation mood beads there, so I grabbed a variety of those as well as some of the larger sized mood beads.

These are just a few of the 38 different kinds of beads I picked up there – all new types for me pretty much, other than a few gemstones here and there. I also found two sellers with big hole gemstone beads, which means I can do some great phat hemp pieces with super thick hemp, and still use badass gemstones in them. Now that’s what I call a great find.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

It was a peaceful day in Fiber Bead Land – the skies were bright and beautiful, the birds were chirping, and there was only a slight chance of yarn showers. Along marched the manly man beads, with many a foul word and foul smell. Further back, holding up their fibers at such behavior, were the Chenille beauties. They didn’t relish being out with the manfiberfolk, but it was unavoidable today – they had to have it out with the wild blue tribes of the wooly hills. However, the blues did not have the same intentions of a peaceful talk…

They leaped out of nowhere, the iris blues with their tightly woven fibers forming a shield from their backs. The manly men fiberfolk could do nothing to penetrate their shields – unlike their slightly wispy nature, these blues were too tight to do anything about. They were herded like animals, the Chenilles getting shriller and shriller at their insistence that this was not an invasion.

A different type of blue came up from behind to confront the manfiberfolk, while they were circled by more shield blues. The Chenilles realized that these light blue metallic beauties were their more delicate natured women – they started at once to try to reason with the glistening beauties, but only received a cold stare. The silence was overwhelming, and the circle tightened further and further, leaving only one avenue for escape that would lead to nothing but a long fall into hemp ville. They didn’t like it there much – it smelled funny and the tie dye, quite frankly, scared the living daylights out of them.

Finally, one spoke – "What does the high class fibers wish with our simple tribe?" The tone was of a sneer, and some of the blues started poking at the Chenilles and laughing a cruel laugh. Undaunted, the eldest of the Chenilles spoke. "We wish only peace with your tribe – you raid our baskets and set fire to our bead condos. What is it you want?"

Another laugh – and surprisingly,a wink from the blue metallic beauty. "To be honest, we just like annoying the hell out of you." That statement got a start from the manfiberfolk, but they were pushed ever closer together. "We will continue to raid, and we’ll especially continue to set fire to those bead condos. You probably don’t remember, but you pushed us out for being too loud…too loud? Hah. Your men there could wake the bloody dead. So now we live in the middle of nowhere, without any fancy smancy fibers – thanks to you!"

"Look" said one daring manfolk, pushing past the Chenilles to come to the forefront…or at least attempting to, but they were in a staring match with the blue women. "You do know that football is on right? Come on over and we’ll settle it over wings and beer." The Chenilles rounded on them, but the circle loosened and although the blue women were giving them glares, they all wandered off. That left the women staring each other down, until they both sighed. "We’d better make the damn wings or else they’ll burn the kitchen down." And with that, the crisis was averted in Fiber Bead Land.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

So I went to intergem yesterday – oh my god there was so much cool stuff there. I was truly in awe, as well as nearly blinded by some of the micro facetted tables of beads. It was also cool being in a place filled up with so much creative energy…and shopping. Lots of shopping. The pic above is the stuff I grabbed   I started making a few pieces with it – these are a bit more upscale than my normal pieces, so the prices are a bit higher. I did get some amazing amethyst to make my amethyst bracelet / anklet again too. It rocks

These are the first few bracelets I’ve done – there will be matching necklaces once I get caught up on work too.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

You might remember this guy from the Adventures of the Fiber Beads – he hasn’t calmed down even after being put in solitary! I had to put him in there, because otherwise he was going to eat all the amethyst beads I had left…insatiable appetite.

He seemed to have gotten pretty annoyed at that, and once he saw the pictures I took for the first post he got even angrier, if that was possible. "I don’t look that DULL. Why, this is a travesty…AND you didn’t get my best side."

With that he was off, making a bee line for the door. How he avoided all of the pyschotic cats I have no idea. He kept on going until I lassoed him down with a hemp rope. As I pulled him up, he started screaming. "THIS IS WHERE YOU GET MY GOOD SIDE!!!"

Turns out he was right – the sunlight really brings out the best in these beads, and I managed to calm him down once he realized he was going to be the star of the show in this bracelet.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.