In case you need a short break from the holiday madness, I wanted to share my latest treasures from the bead world. In between teaching classes at the Innovative Beads Expo in Fishkill, NY earlier this month, I had a chance to do a little shopping with two new vendors and one of my perennial favorites.
The first new vendor (for me) was Ren Farnsworth and her lovely lampwork flowers. I fell in love with her flower bud head pins,separate flower beads, and flowers on wire. I made earrings out of the head pins and flower beads and am contemplating what to do with those cute pink flowers. Ren had much more for sale but I had to limit myself.
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| Ren Farnsworth's glass flowers |
My second discovery was the lampwork beads and enameled beads and headpins of Anne Lichtenstein of Gardanne Glass. I just couldn't resist the bead caps and birds. The ruffled glass bead is destined for a project that will remain under wraps for now. You can learn more about Anne through her blog Gardanne Life.
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| beads by Gardanne |
Last but certainly not least, I stopped to visit with my friend Marti Brown of The Dragon's Odyssey. I fell in love with Marti's new niobium sequins in 2 sizes and just had to bring some home.
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| Marti's niobium sequins with a few size 8 beads for size comparison |
I also met Denise and Diane of 2 Bead Sisters and their mom. Denise and Diane are actual sisters who live 2 hours away from each other, make glass beads, and come together at bead shows to sell their lovely beads. I was good and didn't buy anything this time.
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| Beads by Denise and Diane of 2 Bead Sisters. I borrowed this photo from their website because, silly me, I didn't think to take any photos at the show. So there you have my latest finds. I can't wait to see what treasures next year brings. |
