Expert Tips for Shopping the Bead Fest Marketplace

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Shopping at a bead show is a unique experience. If you’ve never been to a bead show, imagine a home and garden show where all the booths are full of tempting beads, pendants, tools, and other supplies that will make your mouth water and your ideas start flowing. There’s also an educational aspect, where you can learn new techniques and how to infuse your bead and jewelry projects with new inspiration. You just need to experience it to believe it.

Above: Gemstone shopping at Bead Fest. With so many choices, it helps to bring a shopping list to your next bead show!

To get ready for Bead Fest PA, 2022, we asked a few experts to share their tips with us.

Have Fun

Beadwork contributor and Twisted Sistah Beads owner Leslie Pope has experienced all the facets of Bead Fest, from being an instructor, vendor, and attendee. This year, she’s looking forward to seeing her beading friends and doing some shopping. She says, “We have been apart for so long and I miss the in-person contact. Of course, I’m always excited to see everything that is new in the beading world.”

Here are Leslie’s top 5 tips for enjoying and surviving a bead show:

• Be open to inspiration and new ideas.
• Always pick up a show guide to help you plan your shopping route.
• The more the merrier! Shop with a group of like-minded friends.
• Dress comfortably and bring water and a snack so you can stay focused.
• Most importantly, enjoy yourself.

Ask Questions

Shopping at a bead show is a great opportunity to learn more about an artist’s work, gain deeper understanding about gemstones, and more. Jeff Elvin, Dakota Stones founder and president says, “Artists and manufacturers are knowledgeable about their products and happy to share this knowledge with others. If you are designing jewelry to sell, gift, or just to wear, having more information about the materials you use adds value.” Take this opportunity to ask questions and get to know the vendors whose products you use.

Look for Trends

It’s always exciting to see what’s new and trending at Bead Fest. This year, one of the things we’re looking forward to shopping for is banded strands of faceted stones. Some banded strands show the wide range of colors that a material can have and are strung so artistically that they could easily be restrung in the same pattern to create beautiful jewelry.

Follow Your Inspiration

Dreamtime Creations owner Cindy Wilson says, “We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone in person again! We’ve missed everyone.” Cindy is excited to see what people are currently into, from what they’re making to what materials they’re using to make it. She’ll be introducing Dreamtime Crystal, which is made in Austria, and can’t wait to share the sparkle. Her top tip for shopping at bead shows is walking the show first and seeing what’s available, then prioritize what you want to buy and back to make your selections.

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For more tips and inspiration, read Plan Your Trip to Bead Fest and Celebrating 20 Years of Bead Fest. We can’t wait to see you at the show!

Thanks to Our Bead Fest PA 2022 Sponsors:

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Metalsmithing videos with Bead Fest Instructor Helen Driggs