No, I’m not gathering stuff up, although I am being intrigued by mixed media found object art.
I’m talking about the International Society of Glass Beadmaker’s annual conference, the Gathering. I’m just now getting around to blogging about it via the pictures that I took and items that I acquired. I won’t be able to cover it all but I’ll bring some of it to you through my own eyes.
First up, trade beads. Kind of. I didn’t bring one bead to the Gathering. I know. Unheard of, right? Well, I’m lazy. I was going to say “I’m a bit lazy” but in reality, I’m just plain lazy. I didn’t want to lug a box of heavy glass beads and I didn’t want the hassle of people asking to see my beads, not having them with me at any given moment and contemplating running back to my room to get them. I get stressed out easily. So, no beads for me.
There is a time on Sunday night at the closing party where you can trade your beads for other beads. Everyone is welcome, even if you don’t trade. So, I went and I did look around. A couple people asked if I had beads and I had to go into my “I didn’t bring one bead” story. But I still looked at theirs.
As I was oooing and ahhhhing over one particular bead the maker just gave it to me. Honest, I said I couldn’t take it because I didn’t have anything to trade. But she insisted. Who was I to argue with that? Judy Fearn.
I know Judy first from the online message boards and personally from the Michigan cabin retreat that goes on every year. We’ve met up at previous Gatherings too.
Thanks Judy! You’ve been added to my collection! Again.
Then there was this other thing that happened. Another reminder of why I love Canadians.
I was sitting at at able watching the demos from the back of the room and Kerri Fuhr walked by. I grabbed her attention and she said she had something for me. We had met in Andrea Guarino’s class this summer. I wondered, what the heck could she have for me?
She took out a cute little package and inside were these:
Are those the cutest things you’ve ever seen? Popcorn beads from Deb Kallen.
Deb was also in Andrea’s class and we really hit it off. If you want to have fun, hang out with her. I wish she lived closer! I might just have to plan a trip to Canada to hang out with my new buddies. Thanks Deb! And if you want to see some other cool glass, be sure to go to her site…her chocolate beads are to die for, as well as their display. She’s one of the glass worlds best kept secrets if you ask me.
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