Tuesday, August 21, 2012

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!

16 comments:

  1. It was great to meet you Staci, looks like a lot of fun was had at the Courtyard, will have to look into it for next year, we were at the Homewood Suites. Love the goodies you picked up there, I got some of the same things! Love to hand pick, so much better than ordering online.

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  2. Its a mother load....Thanks for sharing now I get to meet all the fun ladies from the CBC.....looks like you had fun!

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  3. Terrific post! It was a wonderful time!! Staci you are the bomb and I always want you by my side at every bead show. Just too long in between! See ya soon girlfriend!

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  4. Sounds like it was so much fun and great friendships forged. Your purchases are awesome - I love some of the very unusual ones - can't wait to see how you use them. I love your creations - they are so unique. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. What a very cool post! Love seeing everyone having fun, and the eye candy was great!In your 6th bead pic, there is a round, faceted bead with white, blues and greens. Do you remember who it is from? I love the look of it!

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    1. Is it the one on a little strand of three? Thats a glass bead by Gardanne, and its not faceted, just an illusion....unless I am on the wrong pic.

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  6. I loved seeing all your pictures, Staci. Brings back all the wonderful memories from April when I joined you for Bead Fest! Glad you had such a great time!

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  7. How wonderful! Both the get together and the beads. I truly hope to join in next year. I am aiming toward that a goal. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences, the photos of our gang, and then your goodie loot! THAT's impressive! Glad you had a good time! Best wishes!

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  9. Whoa - I want to shop with you next time! Amazing loot!

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  10. Oh, it looks like such a fun time was had! I especially love that you were all able to hang out and not just bump into one another! Those goodies are perfect! I love your color palettes and I can see the designs already in your signature style that I love so much. Those sea urchin fossils are my fave. Thank you for sharing the fun with us even if we weren't able to join you. Those of us looking on were there in spirit! Enjoy the day! Erin

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  11. Oh, it's all great! The camaraderie, the location, and the bead, OH, MY, THE BEADS! Thanks for sharing it all.

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  12. Well tell ya what. I will "tag you out" and stay up late with Karen. I am a total night owl!!

    WOW, You really did score with all of your loot! So much to look at! I can't wait to go next year!!

    xo Genea

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  13. Oh my! What a fabulous haul! Wish I could have been there on Saturday to meet everyone. But the good news was I still got to meet of bead artists that I love and hey, I was able to see one of your pieces in. real. life. at Diana's booth.

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  14. I will agree with you that the get-together's were the highlight of the weekend! You got some really great art beads too-love all the unique ones, especially the fossil shells! The plan for 2013 sounds like a great idea-I'm in!

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  15. WOW - You got some freaking awesome stuff!!! I will surely have to stay overnight next year to take full advantage of after dinner late into the evening get togethers (without that hour drive home).

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