Close Encounters of the Bead Kind

Strangers are just friends waiting to happen.  ~Rod McKuen

A curious thing happens when I go to the Bead & Button show. I make instant friends. 

When I am just walking down the street or at any other social gathering in my life, I don't have this instantaneous connection with people. Not to say that I don't make friends wherever I go, it just never happens so immediately.


I don't know what took me so long to attend the Bead & Button show for the first time back in 2008. But I knew that once I went I would never be able to stay away. These are my peeps coming home to roost in the big ol' beady nest. I love the Bead & Button show!

{This was us back in 2009 - meeting as strangers and leaving as friends!}

And that is what happened when I first met Heather Powers. We started out as strangers with a curious connection through beads, and left as friends. She decided at the last minute to come to the show and asked if anyone had any space in their hotels. I told her that she could stay at my sister's house with me (and only later told my sister I would have another guest!). I thank my lucky stars - and my gracious sister - that *free* accommodations trumps all other offers. So I became her chauffeur that first day in 2009 when I picked her up at the airport. I remember wondering if we would be able to recognize each other. I am sure she was wondering what she got herself into...meeting a stranger at Mitchell International Airport. But her smile lit up when she saw me. I ferried her around Milwaukee (promptly getting lost but not getting flustered so as to see me panic!). I met some amazing people by being unintentionally connected to Miss Heather that year. And we became instant - and lasting - friends. She is one of my very best friends, in fact. (I will be with her at the Humblebeads booth #1212 - stop by and  meet us!)

I don't know about you, but not a lot of people where I live 'get' what I do. It is isolating. It can be lonely. My parents think that I play with beads in the basement, and while that is true, I believe that I am doing so much more. But that all changes when I get to the Bead & Button show. It is a bit like the Mothership has landed and all my bead freak sisters and brothers have disembarked and are stepping out into the light of a million twinkling facets (I was just watching Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind the other night. I think that scene with the bright light and the people stepping out of the spaceship was haunting my dreams!)


One of the most peculiar things for those who are new to a show like this is the first time they experience the Beader's Handshake.


Someone you don't know will brazenly walk right up to you. You think that smile on their face is for you, so you stick out your hand for a firm shake and get your business cards ready. But as you get closer, you realize that their gaze was directed about 12" south of your eyes and the twinkle in their eyes was for the jewels on your neck (or your ears, or your wrist!). They will fondle the baubles and ask questions about how it is made and where you found the cool components. Only then will they look up in your eyes and give you a smile as big as all outdoors. And believe me, you will laugh. You have made an instant friend of the beading kind. 

{This is one of my favorites from my solo exhibit in 2010...
I will be looking for more of these cool bottle cap flowers from Glass Garden Beads!}

 Of course you will want to wear your most outstanding creations to this show. If you are like my friend Diana you have been making cool baubles for weeks to wear. Me, I just don't have the sort of time, so I will be wearing the same old tired jewels that have become my favorites. Heck, I might whip up a thing or two while I am there, since all the goods will be available within an arm's reach. I always bring some tools and a little kit with some basics to help me get started.

{I created this necklace called "Inner Joy" for the Sept 2011 Bead Soup... I think I might wear this one!}

There are a lot of posts out there that tell you what you need to do to prepare for a show like this... wear comfy shoes and clothes, call your credit card company to let them know that you will be buying, bring address labels with your tax ID number on it, drink lots of water, find a rolling suitcase... but trust me, you will be overwhelmed the moment you step through the doors no matter how prepared you think you are. I am every year. (Just go toward the sparkly light!)


And budget... schmudget! I still have most of what I bought from LAST year to use up. But that won't stop me from buying more! (I think there may need to be an intervention in my future!)

So when I come up to you and fondle your necklace and then look up into your eyes, be sure to flash that smile to me and we will be instant friends. 

P.S. I will be closing my Etsy shop up tonight for the duration of the show. If you have your eye on anything, please feel free to use the code: MOTHERSHIP for 30% off good through today only (sorry, not valid on the Simple Truths Sampler Club - but good on all charms and jewelry)! I will be taking my stock of Simple Truths with me to the show and I don't know what will be coming back in stock!