2010 Pasadena Bead and Design Show

Today I spent the afternoon at the Pasadena Bead and Design Show at the Hilton. I went to this show the first year it went in…it was a sad – quiet event. I am glad I gave it a second look and very happy to report that the place was packed!!!

In all honesty I must admit that I went primarily to support the daughter of some friends – but – once there I really had a great time.

Gem Show Tip – Use the Valet – for $6 you get service at the door. The closest lot is $9 and street parking is hard to find.

While the majority of what I will cover is gems, beads and findings…this show is so much more than the Jewelry Making Supplies or even finished Jewelry. This is a feast for the eyes – room after room of apparel – art – glass -beads – gems- jewelry – metals – lucite – fiberart – tools – it seems endless…

Some of the vendors that caught my eye:

The lovely Chelle of TANGIBLE LIGHT STUDIO – the reason for the adventure!
Lampwork beads by Michelle Davis; capturing the color and textural properties of glass into a wearable art form. International Ballroom #I137
www.tangible-light.com

BEAD PALACE was showing some really clean and beautiful gems from a corner with $2 strands to stunning Tourmaline, chunky Peridot and darling little chains of Diamond Beads.

Direct manufactures and importers of precious and semi-precious gemstone beads, diamond beads, and sterling silver components, findings, and

beads; offering high quality at true wholesale prices to the trade. Pasadena Room #I

http://www.beadpalace.us

Some of the cleanest coin pearls (they have some sweet tiny coins too) I’ve seen – South Seas that GLOW from TA PEARLSTONE – An expansive selection of freshwater Pearls in shapes such as coins, rounds, squares, baroque shapes, and Keshi pearls. Pacific Ballroom #P268www.tapearlstone.com/

The work of ROD GRIFFIN runs from jewelry sized to sculpture on a grand scale!!! I first discovered this company in the Day’s Inn at the Tucson Gem Show. In fact I featured one of his carved fountains in my Tucson Blog – click through for more…

Spectacular Australian opals– beads and cabochons—wholesale direct from Australia.
rodgriffinopals@bigpond.com

Everyone knows REALM OF THE GODDESS for their dipped leaves – but this company also carries what I feel will be “the next big thing”! Electroformed Gems! Not just the rough stone varieties like druzy but finished faceted gems – even Austrian Crystals!

24kt gold dipped maple, birch, oak,

cottonwood and aspen leaves, rose petals, natural flora, and sea life, gems, and minerals trimmed in 24kt gold, sterling silver, copper and precious metals. In addition, 300 styles of chains available in 24kt gold overlay, rhodium overlay, copper finish and black finish, and over 3,000 styles of charm castings. International ballroom#I114 & 115www.realmofthegoddess.com

When you enter the California Ballroom the wall of precious stones from MINE GEMS is close to overwhelming and the lesson that I will take away from this seller is the simple yet dramatic display. Of course that would mean nothing if their gems were anything but the finest! Yummy clear Emerald, Ruby, Sapphires of all colors and Kyanite in a deep rich blue, that could step in for the finest Ceylon Sapphire.

Custom cut fine gemstones, hard-to-find minerals and natural specimens. California Ballroom #C204

The Spring Time theme shows through in the beads and focals from my friend Vlad of GOLEM DESIGNS’ who’s work is being represented By Allene’s Beads–Dramatic, colorful stoneware beads, integrating ancient and contemporary art forms by bead makers Vladislav Ivanov and Kremena Ivanova, artist family from Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. International ballroom #I152

golem.mlhweb.us/

I made a couple purchases – first at ArtClay World USA from a very funny and frustrated Katie Baum…thanks for the “butt” card Katie! I picked up several rubber stamps – while I know that these are for imprinting clay, I plan to use them for etching on brass and copper…I picked up some single strips and one of Lisa Pavelka’s sets of stamps. I will let you know if this project works out – it will hopefully be a tutorial.

I have for a long while wanted to try my hand with resin – but the smell of most products have kept me from doing this again. Today I found the coolest product from little windows – Brilliant Photo Jewelry. What makes this different is ease, it’s a kit – and odor, you can do this on your kitchen counter. So my Mom and I are going to give it a go! Check out their blog for some great project ideas – http://www.little-windows.com/blog/

…and glorious fabrics interpreted in many styles, all with the ability to celebrate your body, from:

ANNA KONYA http://www.annakonyadesigns.com

URU http://www.wildsilks.com/

GRAU http://graudesign.net/

SUZY CLICK http://www.suziclick.com/

…and so I say good bye to the Pasadena Bead and Design Show – you have one more day to check out this eclectic mix of goods and vendors…Michelle’s beautiful glass work is what made me leave the house …what made me stay and enjoy the show was the total pure overload of color and texture!