Jumping to Bead and Button

Thanks to the efforts of Beadalon, my book "Modern Expressions"  had a strong presence during the fantabulous and unique "Bead and Button Show" held last week  in Milwaukee. 

I was caught by assault when somebody told me that one of the projects from the book was in the show program through a full page advertise posted by Beadalon.

The necklace is called "Spatial Spheres" and features one of my favorites stringing wire of all times made by Beadalon - the 49 Strand .024" white. The back of the design was modified from the original version in the book for the ad - it showcases a nice combo of textured chain sold through Beadalon. Credits to my publisher North Light Books/FW Media  were displayed in the ad and it brought lots of people to the booth to check it out. Modular Montana blue crystal beads from SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS assortment added lots of light between rings of wire, pierced metal and acrylic beads.

For an extra touch of glamour I hired a local model to be at the booth on Friday from 2 to 4pm to handle the "purchase free" forms for a random drawing of a copy of the book and a full kit to make "Spatial Spheres".  Copies of the book were donated by FWMedia and the free kit is sponsored by Beadalon, SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS and this blogger.

Once again, many thanks to Beadalon, FW Media and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS for adding more unforgettable moments to my career.

Lilian Weeks from Nature Beads trying "Velvet Underground" from "Modern Expressions". She had the perfect outfit for it. Spotlighting one of my favorite colors form SE - purple velvet.

Okay...here is the thing: my friend Lilian, owner of Nature Beads, was all over my pieces and she decided to try many on.

On this picture she is wearing "Back to the future", a necklace made with tubing and inserts bought at a hardware store. Fabulous sterling silver claps were generously donated by Atrbeads.com. Lilian proved me that the necklace was done perfectly. It seemed tailored for her neckline.  The secret here is that special Brazilian flair. Worrrrk it ! 

Oh...and crowning Lilian's head, an iconic piece designed by Katie Hacker..."Silver Splendor"-  that design is a staple.

I gladly autographed a complimentary copy of my book, donated generously by FWMedia to the lady above. She purchased Beadalon products beyond the minimum amount and was awarded by my diy jewelry guide. In the background a luscious necklace designed by fellow designer Margot Potter for Beadalon...tons of SE crystal beads and 49 Strand gold-plated Beadalon wire rings. One of my favorites by Madge.

Jill and this blogger striking a pose and in the background Artistic Wire...a must have on any designer's table these days.  Wrap it! Bend it! Fold it! Straight it! and wrap it again. She is wearing a black t shirt

"...I gotta be a star..." Well, I know I will have my Andy Warhol moment...it's coming!

Signing fort a random drawing. In the nackground Steve and Meredith working.

A front overview of Beadalon's booth and the station created for my book...loaded with some of the projects for the book,  a rejected necklace originally designed for the book (on the black neck display - made with rubi and pink tourmaline and a twisted Murano Glass pendant), our ballot for the random drawing and towards to the left side on the front table a fresh and voluptuous necklace created recently by me for John Bead Corp.

I thought I should have something current and trendy so people know that I am still in business...ahahaha. The necklace will have its own story...it's fun, out of the box and very haute couture... it deserves a post by itself...but the major reason for been with me during the show was because I used Elasticity to build the flower beaded rings and many people asked me about it...stretching cord always intrigues people on how to work with it. It has never given me any problem. I love it! 

On the corner left, among some of my designs is the winner of the Katiedids contest...Lilian Chen designed an ultra modern and voluptuous necklace loaded with Katiedids and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS....final result: she won first place. Clever application of the components created by fellow designer Katie Hacker exclusively for Beadalon.

The lady above with that big smile was at our booth watching Wyatt's demo and decided t stick around...she end uo buying tons of Beadalon products at the show and came back to get her copy of "Modern Expressions". What a treat!

The  lady with me is from Japan and she purchased Beadalon products during the show to get   also her complimentary copy of the book. Signed and personalized by me straight to her heart.

The lady above was the second person who exceeds the minimum purchase number and was entitled to win an autographed copy of "Modern Expressions" as a complimentary gift.