All Roads Lead Here... Bead Fest Philly August 2013-Part 1

Hello friends!

I am still processing everything from the show. I can't believe this huge life event has finally come and gone. What a bittersweet experience. From the beginning of my glass career (about 10 and a half years in the making) I had dreamed of becoming "famous" in my glass. I would tell people when I first started that "I was going to be famous". They would chuckle and I would say "No, I'm serious. I'm going to be famous." Usually they would either say nothing or be shocked and go "Oh. Ok." Like "Wow she really was serious." So, for me, going to Bead Fest Philly was "making it," finally "being famous". It was such a deeply spiritual event for me in so many ways.

 This being the main thing, but very closely behind it,  doing this show with someone I consider to be one of my very best friends. Someone who has always considered me to be an equal. Someone that admired my talents just as much as I admired hers. Someone that created with me in, now two collaborations. This wonderful friend and artists I am writing to you about is Staci Smith. You all know her as, Staci Louise, S L Artisan Accents, or Staci Louise Originals. 

Here is a beautiful photo of Staci and me that Linda Landig took :)

So let's start at the beginning...

A special thanks to Lori Anderson for unknowingly bringing Staci and I together through her Bead Soup Blog Party.

So my darling husband, Ricky and I had just arrived at Staci's house early on Thursday morning after driving a straight 20 hours with barely 2 hours rest. We arrived tired, and haggard, but excited.

We came inside and sat down on the couch where Staci's kids excitedly greeted us.

Staci was so sweet she offered us coffee and breakfast!

We had a few more things to do in the morning before going to the show in the early afternoon to set up.

After we ate breakfast Staci and I went into her studio. I was so excited to be here I had to mark this event with a photo of my feet on her beautifully painted studio floor. Yes, I was ACTUALLY in Staci's studio!! 

I brought the finishing touches to our special Collaboration kits for Bead fest. 

We needed to add wire, chain, and instructions.

Here are the finished necklace kits.

Awhile later we were off to the show to set up.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Look at our signs!! :D:D:D

Here you can see the beginning of our booth set up. 

You can see the display building here. Man was it HOT. The a/c was not on yet and it was balls humid!

Staci and me in our booth the first day of the show.

Here is our moment, our "Making It" our "Being Famous". I couldn't think of a better person/people to share it with!

Where would I be without one of the other very special people in my life, my darling husband and partner in crime, Ricky. 

Ricky ROCKED the booth! He was my resident math guy, money taker, and holder of the fort while Staci and I wandered about the show to visit or shop :)

Here is Staci in front of her table. Doesn't she look amazing with all of her little works of art?!

We ROCKED the corner with our good friends Karen Totten of Starry Road Studio and...

Her amazingly talented daughter and Wrangler of Wooly Wire, Nellie!

After the first show day we were STARVING! Thanks to Melinda Orr of Creative Bead Chat, Artisan Whimsy, and Bandana Girl Beads for setting up a wonderful dinner at Legal Seafood.

The group gathered around the table and chatted while we waited for menus.

It was great to unwind from the first day with a big glass of fresh sangria!

I ordered the gluten free Seafood bake that was topped with gf breadcrumbs and a side of fries. Yum!

Our dessert was a gluten free chocolate lava cake with ice cream and a coconut macaroon! OMG was it amazing!

After being fed, watered , and desserted the groups formed for some photos! From Left to Right: Diana P(Ha ha you try to spell her name correctly without looking!), Me, Diane Hawkey, Staci, and Linda Landig. 

I love this group hot of : Ricky, Karen, Staci and me!

I have so many more photos and memories to share, but I will leave you with this awesome photo of Staci and me until my next blog where I show you my Bead Fest Bead Swap loot! 

Staci and me the last day of the show. You can see the happiness in our faces. We had such an incredible weekend!

More Bead Fest stories and photos to come soon!

xo Genea