Peek Inside Our Bead Fest 2022 Shopping Bags

Shopping the Bead Fest 2022 Marketplace is a supply run, buying trip, and treasure hunt all rolled into one. Part of the fun is seeing what your friends are discovering and adding those finds to your shopping bag, too. Quartz was trending at Bead Fest, along with beads made from recycled vinyl records, and carved stone shapes. We asked a few shoppers to share what else they bought, and here’s a peek at what they found.

Above: Danielle Wickes bought a rawhide hammer, learned enameling with Kieu Pham Gray, and stocked up on seed beads in the Bead Fest Marketplace.

Let’s Get Beading

Danielle Wickes took classes, gave a presentation on the Technique Stage, was honored as one of the Top Trendsetters in the Interweave Top 20, and still managed to bring home quite a haul. Danielle says, “The tubes of seed beads are from the Fiber and Beads booth, they had all the seed beads arranged by rainbow . . . it was irresistible.” She also found a few other products to make beading easier.

Make Spinner Rings

Tamara Honaman taught a series of Getting Started classes in addition to taking a quick shopping trip to the Marketplace. She says, “I always look forward to seeing Bill Fretz at an event. Each time, he has something new and exciting to share, tools to show, and demos of how his hammers and jewelry-making tools work best. Visiting Bill also satisfies my retail therapy needs as I’m always in need of something from his collection!”

Tammy admits, “Seriously, I do make a purchase each time I see him so I can help my collection grow as my skills grow (and budget allows). At Bead Fest, I finally got Bill’s spinner-ring tool. I first saw it in Tucson when it was the newest of his tool line. He had sold out by the time I got to his booth that year, so this time, I didn’t hesitate! Now. To get some rings made!”

All About Gemstones

Julianna Avelar was honored as one the Top Innovators in the Interweave Top 20 and demonstrated her Jewel Loom on the Technique Stage. Between events, she shopped the Bead Fest Marketplace for unusual gemstone shapes. She’s excited to experiment with her new treasures! She plans to incorporate two-hole rectangles, corner drilled cubes, chips and tiny faceted stones into her loomed jewelry designs.

Katie’s Fave Find

This Bless Your Heart pendant from Green Girl Studios is my prize treasure from Bead Fest this year. I collected some other beads and tools that I’ll use in projects here and there, but this was something I bought just for myself. And I’ve found myself wearing it nearly every day since. I love the way Bless Your Heart has a few different meanings, depending on the context. 

Did you shop at Bead Fest 2022? Tag #beadfest on Facebook or Instagram and show us what’s inside your shopping bag!

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