I got to go to a gem and bead convention this weekend! I had a haaaaard time not buying a lot more than this. I got a few things that caught my fancy, a bunch of cheap tiny crystals because those are always useful in bead weaving, and a couple of bigger things to challenge myself.

There were rhinestone beads galore.  All beautiful, glittery, and calling out to me.

But the  poorly thought out floor plan, which caused me to not know which booth was which really made it difficult to shop.  There wasn’t great signage detailing websites information or even the addresses of some of the companies.  I didn’t even  get to talk to any of the wholesale dealers the way one would like because some of them seemed to just be there for the sale.

It felt a little rushed, and impersonal . At one point one of the ladies behind one of the tables asked that my daughter not touch the beads at all.  And they were wooden beads, that she honestly couldn’t have hurt if she tried.  I did see some haggling on the part of customers but the vendors weren’t really accommodating.  Not for nothing there was some absolutely beautiful pieces.  But I did hear one of the vendors say that they had not even constructed them, that some one else did.

I believe the bead show itself travels up and down the east coast, and as a designer I was thrilled to see loads of new beads.  But I doubt if I would ever attend it again.  I didn’t even get a chance to get a business card from any of the tables.

The price to get in was great.  I downloaded a coupon from the website and it took $2 off the $5 admission.  But even at that price, I don’t think I could be swayed to got back.

One Sweet Bead Market One Day Show December 4, 2018

I’ve been working non-stop since my last online show, and not all in my clay studio. I did an Etsy Shop update and plan another one shortly for your crafty gift giving or for self satisfaction with gifts to yourself for working so hard on life! Now it’s time for my One Sweet Bead Market Show!

Marsha Neal Studio One Day Facebook Group Show in One Sweet Bead Market Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Begins…

2018 Facebook Group Shows

You can find lots of items in my Marsha Neal Studio Etsy shop all the time.

Online Facebook Group show links:

Handmade Component Bazaar

One Sweet Bead Market

Ceramic Art Bead Market

Bead Show Now – Bead Shop Now – Online Bead Show Now – Share Where You Shop via Social Media

Help spread the word where your local bead shows are by using #BeadShowNow I am a big fan of shopping in person for handmade beads, strands and tubes of beads, lapidary items, tools and findings. If I can support a brick and mortar store or a bead show vendor so they can cover their costs, I will! It used to be really easy to open a bead magazine and see ads for upcoming shows about 10 years ago.…

Ceramic Art Bead Market Artist Showcase July 27 & 28, 2017

It has been quite a while since I’ve done an online Facebook Group show (maybe a year?). So it is about time to get my photos updated and new beads ready to find their homes! You have to join the Ceramic Art Bead Market FB Group in order to bid on any of the pieces I am going to list in the next two days. I usually do only BIN (buy it now) listings, and some MTO (Made To Order). When a bead is…

Silver Cove

presents

Saskatoon Bead Show

January 28 and 29, 2017

10am - 5pm

Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre Saskatoon (102 Cardinal Crescent)

Free Admission

* Beads * Fossils * Gemstones * Minerals * Carvings * Spheres * More *

Festivals and Events: June and July

Are you looking for something fun to do for the months of June and July?  Check out this list of festivals and events happening in North Carolina.  I got the list from the site: festivalandevents.com

    Some of the Events and Festivals listed:

Repiticon Charlotte Reptile Show

Tea with Seagrove POtters

Intergalactic Bead Show

Village Square Arts & Craft Show

Festival for the Eno

July 4th Festival