1. Set a budget.
2. Laugh at that budget. Set aside just enough money to get home and come to peace with spending all the rest.
3. Have a huge sale in your Etsy shop the week of the show! (Like these guys.)
4. Don’t bring a friend – you’ll buy twice as much because she’ll find all these amazing things you’ll have to have too. (And if you have two friends with you – forgetta about.)
5. Bring a healthy snack, water and wear comfortable shows.
6. Bring a big bag. Bring a rolling suitcase. (Can you bring those to the show? I can’t remember. Okay, stick with the big bag. But there will be a moment during the show when you turn to that friend and say, “We’re gonna need a bigger bag.” ala the crazy man from Jaws.)
7. Have a show strategy – visit the beadmakers first – they have limited stock and sell out of things! And take a minute to meet artists who are your creative heros! Next visit booths with hard to find items like Czech glass, resin beads and decorative chain. Watch demos and join in any make-and-takes. (Booths that usually have demos are Vintaj, Soft Flex and Beaducation.)
Stop by booth #1212 to visit me at Humblebeads. Here is a little coupon for you!
These are the booths I’ll be visiting – in no particular order:
Jangles #1103 – ceramic
Earthenwood Studio #1227 – ceramic
Green Girls Studios #1205 – pewter
Julie Nordine – Credit River Glass #1136 – lampwork
Diane Hawkey #1228 – ceramic
Lisa Peters Art #1213 – ceramic
Pam & Heather Wynn #1235 – polymer clay
Kim Fields #1208 – lampwork
Elemental Adornements #5 – silver
Anne Choi #1233 – silver
Kerri Fuhr & Stephanie Anne #1157 – lampwork
Golem #111 – ceramic
Lori Greenberg #938 – lampwork
C-Koop #727 – enamel
Gail Crosman Moore #9 – lampwork
Lisa Kan #818 – lampwork
MAKUStudio #142 – ceramic
Sea of Glass #1254 – lampwork
Out on a Whim #701 – seed beads, peanut beads
Ad/Adornments #717 – chain
Bello Modo #838 – brass, mixed media
Raven’s Journey #117 – Czech glass
Vintaj #834 – brass (wholesale only)
Mimi
June 6, 2011 at 3:27 pmThanks for the fun post Heather! 🙂 All the ones I have highlighted are already on your list, but I do see a few new ones I'll have to check out. I'll definitely stop by and say hi!
TesoriTrovati
June 6, 2011 at 4:11 pmAwesome list! I had forgotten about the budget…becuase I usually blow it in the first aisle!
I think you can bring in a small rolling bag… I know I did in the past, I think I will bring it along just in case!
And always wear your best creations… the beader's handshake is to walk up to someone's jewelry and admire it before you look in their eyes and say hello! That is always so fun!
Can't wait to see you and everyone!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Grubbi
June 6, 2011 at 4:22 pmAm so jealous! Have fun you guys! x
Cillaw
June 6, 2011 at 4:34 pmSo for us out of the loop, Is this THE Bead Show or are there a few and this is one of them??
Thanks!!
It looks fantastic
Cilla
tellyourgirlfriends.com
fishyfacedesigns
June 6, 2011 at 6:12 pmThat was so cute! I look forward to reading all the details…
Take care.
Fire Phoenix
June 6, 2011 at 9:49 pmAww, I'm so jealous. One day, *ONE DAY* I will cross the pond especially for this.
rosebud101
June 6, 2011 at 9:55 pmNumber 2 works very well for me!
sandi m
June 6, 2011 at 11:37 pmYup, you can bring a rolling cart. In fact mine is the official B&B cart I bought at my very first show.
Other exhibitors (didn't look up their booth numbers):
Royalwood – Irish waxed linen cord
Blue Buddha Boutique – metal jump rings, chain maille
Hobo Glass – lampwork
Diane Tarullo – lampwork
Better go work on my budget!
Kartott
June 7, 2011 at 3:28 amI have never attended a bead show – I wish I could! I hope to set aside some money for one in the next few months or so. Any recommendations on good ones? Should I wait until next year for this giant one??? lol – where to start!?
– Karen
Judy/Natural Touch
June 7, 2011 at 11:32 pmHI y'all,
I see that Heather posted her fav list for B& Button show. I was happy to see that she included RESIN beads. I'm sorry to say that we, NATURAL TOUCH, wont have a booth this year. We had to crunch down our shows, but…we are offering cool specials all month long on our website. So save a few dollars if you can and visit our site, http://www.naturaltouchbeads.com
and have fun at the show. Judy
Christine Edwards
June 9, 2011 at 9:04 pmI totally laughed at the part about blowing the budget…I know I always do. Guess that's why God invented credit cards. 😉 A few of my "must-see's" include The Mermaid's Dowry #1168 (great metal charms and filigree pieces), Thomas Mann #521, Susan Lenart-Kazmer #903/1102, and Metalliferous #637/639 (nice metal trims and Jax patinas). Have a great show!
Singing Cat Studio
June 11, 2011 at 2:53 amYour "advice" is so right on that I laughed out loud. I just wish I was at the show. Maybe next year!