This was my first visit and while I didn't have the opportunity to take any classes (slept on that one) I met a lot of great jewelry makers, instructors and vendors. Attending the event this time, allowed me the opportunity to see the quality of a few vendors I've been eyeing on line, which was great. I'm a planner and as Elaine (my travel mate) put it, I can be a bit anal about a few things, but it worked to my advantage this time. To attend this type of show, you have to have a plan and I was all over that. If you don't, you tend to overspend, you miss good deals and you come home broke!
Here's how I tackled staying on task and not going over my budget:
1st - I scanned the vendor list before even going to the show, circling vendors I was familiar with or those I definitely wanted to see. I also made a list of must haves that I needed for my inventory.
2nd - When I arrived at the show at 10:00 am, I browsed every booth (160) and marked off those that were of interest to me and what items they carried that I wanted. I also jotted down prices, specifically silver and crystal to do a comparison. This literally took me about 3:00.
3rd - After browsing, I started at the beginning again and started shopping. I shopped until about 6:45 pm. Only visiting the booths that were checked off on my list. Then it was dinner time and much damage had been done, but not complete.
4th - That night, I made up a new list of remaining vendors, to include those with the best silver prices and was ready for the next day of shopping.
5th - Saturday morning, started all over again, hitting my final list and finishing up about 2.
I came home with some beautiful beads! Of course this isn't everything, but wanted to share a few of my favorites.
There was just about everything you can imagine there for jewelry making, including tools, of which I got a few. Crystals were all over the place. If you've ever shopped for crystals online it can be a bit overwhelming, but seeing them all right there was even worse!
So, there you have it, my first trip to Beadfest. Sorry I didn't get to take more photos, but as you can see I was on a mission.Unveiling,
Dee
9 comments:
I can't wait to see what you make with those beautiful beads!
I think they'll definitely be fun designs. I love the Tagua Nut beads, those are the orange and black ones.
What fun, Dee! I try to keep a "plan" also - but it sometimes goes out the window. Good discipline! Looking forward to August :-)
can't wait Maria, looking forward to seeing you and hopefully Robin.
See, I always TRY to do that -- go in with a list and a plan. But then I get in the door and start hyperventilating at all the pretty things and go nuts! The list, well, that only gets used to fan myself off!
I didn't say it was easy ladies, LOL. It was pretty cool though, because at least two vendors remembered me coming around the first time asking questions and I told them I'd be back, but was first looking...they gave me an extra discount second time around. Intergalactic is here this weekend, may stop by, but won't be purchasing anything unless it is absolutely UNIQUE after last weekend, I'm spent out! ...Hey just decided what I'm doing for Mothers Day!
Those are beautiful beads. I can't wait to see what you're going to make with them. Please post a picture with your creations.
I'm filled w/admiration of your stony discipline. I'm a'feared of bead shows , lol (and in no immediate danger anyway). The nuts are cool too , especially the orange ones - great color.
will do Vicki, as soon as I get over this block. I said I was going to force myself this weekend, but forcing never works.
Hey Kim, the nuts are Tagua nuts, I love the colors they are available in, they will be fun to work with.
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