Gem Show and Exciting News

I have so much to catch up on here at the blog since I went on my trip and then returned in time for the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show.

I guess I'll need to travel backwards and share my most recent excitements with you first.

I can tell you that I was the most restrained in my buying ever my first day.

Let me tell you, only spending $55 for a day at a gem show tent is quite a feat.

On the second day at a different show which is my favorite (or was) The Gem Mall, I was there fro three hours before buying anything. ...and then the floodgates began to open to a trickle and I was working my way up to a good steam of acquiring some goodies.

My favorite silver findings shop seemed to have moved from it's location and well as one of my other suppliers. I would have to do some research to find them.

I felt as if I were shopping for you all. Certain beads would shout out names to me.

I would be thinking "Oh, Janet would like those and Cynthia wouldn't mind having some of those"

Of course I was also thinking of what I might like as well.

I was wearing a pair of the other Kim from FlotsamTide's "Seal Maiden " earrings that had some of this funky kyanite that I had been lusting after. It must have been good bead karma because I found these strands right off at a booth that wasn't offering many bead items.

I got a half a dozen compliments on those earrings I'll have you know.

These Tibetan yak bone mala beads were a hit last year so I've listed some in my supply shop today

Numinosity on Etsy

I may as well tell you that I had gotten my "BUY"on by the fourth day.

I have been told by "One who Knows" that all in all I must have still been fairly restrained when I told her the grand total. ( There is another weekend of gem show coming up though tee hee)

I thought of fanci when I saw these...well of course, now I see that she's been using some in her work already. I got two sizes. I'm realizing that I need to buy smaller beads for myself now because combined with lampwork a lot of combinations can get pretty heavy.

I thought of Vladthebat Steph and Pipnmolly Tracy when I saw these

bunches of cheapo glass beads

will dismantle

Roman glass!

Did you ever wonder if I buy other's lampwork?

Well sometimes I do.

I have admired Karen Ovington's style since I was first introduced to lampwork.

I had never picked up one of her beads for my collection.

Isn't it splendid!

and here's another gal whose beads I love from Tennessa at "A Beaded Gift"

I've also added some crubbly headpins over at my NuminosityBeads shop

and well, not so crubbly too.

I almost forgot to tell you my biggest excitement though.

I've been accepted for a techniques article in Belle Armoire as well as a few featured pieces in the gallery!!!!!

I just need to get cracking and write up the article now. We have just three weeks before our trip to South America.