Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Wherein We Recuperate from Bead and Button Shopping

Holy cow.  Y'all, I have been to some big bead shows in my day, but nothing quite prepared me for the wonder, the spectacle, the complete eye candy overload that was the marketplace of the Bead and Button Show.

Now, I used to live in Milwaukee, a mere hop and skip from where the Bead and Button show is held. But the annual show wasn't started until a few years after I moved away.  (I've always taken that a little personally.)  And I've always had it on my bucket list to go. When I moved to Chicago this year, it became a much more likely possibility.

So Sunday, I headed up the road. Got to the Wisconsin Center right as the show opened.  I was ready. Or so I thought. After two hours, I had only made my way through two rows of about seven or eight. And I had only four hours left. That's when I kicked it into high gear and power shopped.

Knowing that it would be WAY too easy to spend too much, I had decided that I would only shop for things I couldn't find at home or at regular bead shows.  So I concentrated on art beads, special findings, and things that I knew I'd kick myself the next day for not buying.  No seed beads (gasp!!), no Czech glass, no gemstone beads.  Ready?  Here goes:

First, the gemstone cabs:
Isn't this delicious? It's copper mosaic turquoise (that I grabbed the instant the woman next to me put it down)

(l to r, top row: ruby in zoisite, rhyolite, lapis. Bottom: crazy lace agate)
Two jaspers, just begging to be bezeled
And the art beads:

I've been lusting after Golem Beads for a long time.  I finally got some!
BeadyGirl Beads - fun!
Diane Hawkey - sublime
Beautiful paisley beads from Dyed in the Fire
Not technically all beads, but two Czech buttons and some new Czech shapes from Lisa Kan
Sharon Peters - not some of her great, whimsical creatures, but these beads will always
remind me of the hysterically funny conversation I had with this joyful lady
Time for the true confession - there were also some less visually exciting purchases, like lots of chain, some gold filled wire (now that the price has come down to nearly human levels), and some ultrasuede for backing.

If you ever have the chance to go to Bead and Button, you should go.  One of these days my schedule will allow me to go for some classes as well, but for now, I've got this one crossed off the bucket list. And I'm already planning for next year's journey!

6 comments:

AntiquityTravelers said...

oh how fun! and a GORGEOUS stash!!! I don't know why, but I am in a cabochon mood lately and those first first are just calling! that turquoise - oh wow that is stunning ... and who doesn't love a bit of crazy lace jasper? what a haul and so wish I could have gone, but can you image the trouble we'd have gotten into shopping together?!

Liz said...

Lucky lady! I'm kind of glad I can't go because I can only imagine how much money I would spend. It looks like you spent wisely, and your attitude was perfect. Get what you can't find elsewhere. I have a feeling we are going to see some spectacular thing coming from those buys!

Christine Altmiller said...

You got some crazygreat loot here!!! Cannot wait to see how each piece announces itself in your jewelry!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

Beautiful, beautiful gems - and beads - in your stash! Never seen the first set - the mosaic turquoise - but the colors are stunning! I have never ventured to a true "bead show"...I don't think my heart could stand the excitement! :)

Therese's Treasures said...

Awesome loot you came away with from the ultimate Bead & Button show. I am going to get there one day it is defiantly on my bucket list. Now all I have to do is win the lottery so I can afford to go. Stones beautiful stones I love them all! The art beads are all beautiful along with the Czech buttons and beads. Looking forward to seeing what you create with your B&B loot.
Therese

LoriF said...

Great choices! I SO want to go to this show, but it's about 5 hrs away from me and I can't talk anyone here into going....so it may be just a dream. So fun to see what others bring back!