free beads

I get them all the time. Samples, really. Folks send me things they think are the next great bead and want me to order them. I sometimes (rarely) do order them or at least call for the catalog. More often I give them to someone in the shop. If I come up to you and say, hey, do you want eleven plastic train beads? you'll know I just opened my mail.

I think it is a good idea, by the way, to send samples. Not cause I like the free swag, but because it does work. I have bought soap, lip balms, tote bags, beads and more because someone sent me a package. I do like the freebies, by the way.

Today I got this gem:It's cute, really, a little cobalt glass lizard with a bit of dichroic flash and a cute little tail.

The problem is just that it isn't for the stores. We don't sell beads like this because, well, for us they don't sell. I don't want to send it back, the letter that accompanied it said to keep it as a gift. Cobalt blue doesn't do anything for me.

Do you want it? Email me with your best idea to use it (it is a focal bead with a ring at each end) and I will give it to the person with the best suggestion. It's too heavy for an earring, by the way.

the bead show

Here we are at the Bead Mercantile show. They tried to give us the worst spot in the place along the back wall and we made it the best. I created a display that Tracey called "Drunk Colorblind Gypsies" or something similar and it included a parasol on a 12 foot bamboo pole. Yeah, go ahead, put me in the w-a-a-a-y back of the hall! You could still see our booth from the front door.















We brought a selection of chain and some findings, but not many. I was amazed at the fact that we were one of the few vendors who had findings and chain.




















Here is my husband and chief technical guy getting our wireless modem thingy unhooked at the end of the show. That short helper of his was really great!
Everyone who helped out with the show did a great job. Thanks to Tracy for excellent set up and break down assistance, and to Jane for coming in early to finish us up and pulling double duty. Thanks to Tracey and Libby and Ndidi and Manda and Sandy and Megan for handling the crowds and the very persnickety beeping cash register! You folks all did a great job!