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It
is hard to fathom the amount of activity which proliferates in the
world around us as we live our daily lives--even when thinking of the
bead world. Before visiting Bead & Button for the first time in
2005 (with my lovely Aunt Winny) I had no idea of the pageantry. Lisa
Niven-Kelly had planted imaginings of frantic bead shopping and grand
signage with printings of blown up beaded bracelets and things. What
Lisa said was all true in 2005. And, in 2006 I had the opportunity to
be more calm as I was inundated with all things bead!
This
year I flew in on Tuesday, classes had already begun Sunday, and I
would begin to teach on Thursday and continue on to Sunday, which was
also the day I flew out. Here are some highlights of my trip to Bead
& Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
Tuesday,
June 13th
Arrived
at the Hilton around 3:30 pm after 2 legs of flying. Met Trysch and
went downstairs for lunch and a beer. Trysch was to take one of Susan
Lenart Kazmer's classes in which she was asking students bring in
bottle caps. We gave of ourselves and drank bottled beer. Trysch and I
got a long real well. Sleep that night was a very good thing.
Wednesday,
June 14th
On
Monday night I enlisted my willing husband to bleach the ends of my
hair so we could dye it teal blue to match the Ootheca Turqueise. The
idea didn't go as well as planned so I spent a good number of hours on
this day at a hair salon having my hair bleached and dyed blue. Quite
a bit more of my hair was bleached and colored than expected, but it
was done (and still is) and I have to live with it! It was fun having
freshly blue hair at the show, I got the feeling from time to time
folks just didn't know what to think! That evening was "Meet the
Teachers" and it was a blast! I ran a little behind setting up,
but all went well. I was inundated and met many new folks.
Thursday,
June 15th
This
was my big teaching day with the all-day Embellished African Helix and
14 students. Everyone did very well and one person left wearing her
bracelet and several more were very very close to finishing. Trysch
retired and I went to the downstairs Hyatt sports bar where I met the
lovely Brenda (of SoftFlex) as we waited for our bar food--room
service closes up shop early apparently!
Friday,
June 16th
Shopping
during the day and a half-day class of Wrapped and Wrapped Again
Bracelet was on tap. It was a full class with 18 folks enrolled. Class
went well and a number of people finished in class! Class went until
9:00 pm. After class Trysch, Marcia,
and I walked over to the Toho party. Good eats and drinks and a lot of
bead industry folks, how fun! After the party Trysch and I sat at the
downstairs sports bar enjoying a late dinner and adult beverages. Had
laughs with Brenda again and met Rusty of EH Ashley.
Saturday,
June 17th
Did
I shop this day, probably! Then a half-day class teaching the Leitara
Earrings. Everyone finished at least one earring and most walked away
from class with a pair and picked up another kit to make the next
pair! For dinner Trysch and I walked over to the brewery for dinner
with the Bead and Button Forum folks. Then I was up late with a rowdy
bunch in the Hyatt hotel lobby. Huib Peterson was there, as well as
Beki Heley, and one of my long time bead buddies Pam Perry.
Sunday,
June 18th
Last
class I taught was Sumptuous Strata Cuff. No one finished but we had a
good class nonetheless. Then, a bit more shopping gathering souvenir
beads and goodies for friends and family. Saw Alice one last time and
we talked about the necklace she was wearing after I got off the phone
with Colin. It was the first seed bead necklace she made. Then I
shared a shuttle to the airport with my new friends Debbie and Kim
from Portland, OR.
It
was a relief to be home and away from the show. But I have very fond
memories while looking back on the show. My students were agreeable
and learned the techniques, my hotelmate was cool, I kept seeing
people I knew, and so much more. I said it before but it was like
summer camp for adults! Now I have to go work on proposals for
2007!!!
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