It was a Beady, Festy Kinda Weekend #2

OK- so I think out of everything all weekend, I had most fun at the happy hour that Melinda Orr arranged at our hotel.  She invited all the folks from Creative Bead Chat, and anyone else we ran into.  She made over 60 leather bracelets too, so that everyone could take one home.  She arranged for snacks with the hotel, and wine.  What more could we ask for, except lots of beady friends to share that with.

So many people came and went through the night.  It was finally a place, with no bead distractions, that we could just sit and talk and all get to know each other a little better (though Elaine Ray did keep asking people to pull up pictures of beads on their phones.  How she was not beaded out by the end of the day, I will never know:)

Words can't express how much it meant to me to get to know these wonderful talented, fun women a little better!

The Courtyard had such a nice patio and comfy furniture outside to sit at.  As time went by, we got food from the bistro for dinner.  As more time went by, we got silly and loud.  Fun time!

Happy hour pics, turn to dinner and late night pics.........................(best burger ever by the way!!!)

Melinda is already planning another happy hour for next year.  The Courtyard was cheap, close, clean and wonderful.  So if you'd like to attend happy hour 2013, and don't want to drive, plan to stay there.  PLUS, if we get enough ladies we get a discount!  How awesome is that?  I am already looking forward to next year, but I do NOT plan to stay up until 2:30 am with Karen Totten.  Sorry Karen, not happening.

Alrighty then, now for the stash.  I have been saving my pennies all year for this.  I am very happy with my finds, and spent way more on art beads then I thought I would, but how could I resist?

First the Art Beads

Some were purchased, some were swapped.

This was my Marsha Neal loot from the swap.  Some is purchased, most was my bead swap!  I think she know's me, she nailed all my favorites.

Karen Totten of Starry Road Studio traded me for these goodies.

Raku by XAZ

Top Right are Elaine Ray bead cones (don't they look like birch?) and disc (I bought two discs, but can only find one...I will have to go through ALL my pockets of my bags again, I really hope it shows up!) and the glass is from Anne Lichtenstein of Gardanne Beads.  I met both of them for the first time this year, and I am a fan for life!

Jan O of Molten Mayhem beads.......couldn't resist the depth on these little guys

Bottom right is White Clover kiln, from my bead swap with Molly Hubbard, and top left is Joan Miller Porcelain....is that focal me or what????

and last but not least, top group from Jenny Davies-Reazor and bottom are from Diana of Suburban Girl Studio

I also got a pack of Fiber Wire from Yarn Sweet Yarn, so I can try it out. I will be blogging about what you can do with it once I have a chance to play.  Look at these wonderful colors! 

After I got all stocked up on art beads (did I mention they weren't even on the list??)  I got to shop for the uniquities.  One of a kind items, that I can't find online easily.

Here they are.

Hands of the Hills is always on my list to shop (I have only been to bead fest twice, but I KNOW this is one of the best shops)

I grabbed more brass bells, brass pendants and buddah charms, all antique.

You can really find unique items here, everything from Hill Tribes Silver, to antique beads and bells, religious charms and totems from various religions, african recycled glass beads, and much much more. 

These are sea urchin fossils that are polished and drilled.  Right up my alley.

Brass dragon charm

Buddah's and Dharma wheels in stone and metal

Prayer tubes

Then I got some more sea urchin spines from Theodra's beads.

Look how large they are!!!!  LOVE them.  I also picked up the crystals in the background from him.

I got some fossils and wonderful Heliodor from a beautiful woman named Kia. 

I got more pearls from my favorite pearl lady Winnie Lam of Imperial Gems.  This is the second time I have bought from her, and she never dissapoints.  Great pearl, competitive prices.

I got these at misc. vendors, who just happend to have one thing that caught my eye and a good price

and these were bead strands I split with Melinda and Karen- perks to shopping with friends- splitting the cost and strands.  It's two strands of bone beads and one of turquoise roundelles.

So thats all folks.  Lots of beads, lot of friends and good times.  I highly reccomend coming out next year, even if its just to meet all the amazing people who are there!