The first year I discovered beading as a hobby (turned obsession) was 2001 and I went to the B&B show in Milwaukee with my then 11-year-old daughter Allie. We took a wire working class. We also discovered shopping! I also discovered the beautiful, porcelain handmade beads from Splendid Loon Studio. I ordered hundreds of her beads (because of course, I would run out and need more, then not be able to get them in THAT color) and used them in MANY stringing projects. I still use them, buying more every year. Barbara and her son Jody came this year (Jody is pictured here) and they are like alot of the vendors at B&B- small businesses ran by wonderfully creative and talented people. I always love to visit with them, they are my “first” bead makers that know me by name.
I think this is more common than most B&B visitors know – getting to know your favorite vendors, going to dinner at the show and catching up, finding out what they do with their lives outside of B&B and sharing yours with them.
Jody, Splendid Loon Studio
Tags: Bead & Button Show, bead crochet, Bead Fest, beading classes, beadweaving with semi-precious stones, beadwork classes, Polymer clay