Bead & Button Survival Guide

1. Set a budget.

2. Laugh at that budget.  Set aside just enough money to get home and come to peace with spending all the rest.

3. Have a huge sale in your Etsy shop the week of the show! (Like these guys.)

4. Don't bring a friend - you'll buy twice as much because she'll find all these amazing things you'll have to have too. (And if you have two friends with you - forgetta about.)

5. Bring a healthy snack, water and wear comfortable shows.

6. Bring a big bag. Bring a rolling suitcase.  (Can you bring those to the show?  I can't remember.  Okay, stick with the big bag.  But there will be a moment during the show when you turn to that friend and say, "We're gonna need a bigger bag." ala the crazy man from Jaws.)

7. Have a show strategy - visit the beadmakers first - they have limited stock and sell out of things!  And take a minute to meet artists who are your creative heros!  Next visit booths with hard to find items like Czech glass, resin beads and decorative chain. Watch demos and join in any make-and-takes.  (Booths that usually have demos are Vintaj, Soft Flex and Beaducation.)

Stop by booth #1212 to visit me at Humblebeads.  Here is a little coupon for you!

These are the booths I'll be visiting - in no particular order:

Jangles #1103 - ceramic
Earthenwood Studio #1227 - ceramic
Green Girls Studios #1205 - pewter
Julie Nordine - Credit River Glass #1136 - lampwork
Diane Hawkey #1228 - ceramic
Lisa Peters Art #1213 - ceramic
Pam & Heather Wynn #1235 - polymer clay
Kim Fields #1208 - lampwork
Elemental Adornements #5 - silver
Anne Choi #1233 - silver
Kerri Fuhr & Stephanie Anne #1157 - lampwork
Golem #111 - ceramic
Lori Greenberg #938 - lampwork
C-Koop #727 - enamel
Gail Crosman Moore #9 - lampwork
Lisa Kan #818 - lampwork
MAKUStudio #142 - ceramic
Sea of Glass #1254 - lampwork

Out on a Whim #701 - seed beads, peanut beads
Ad/Adornments #717 - chain
Bello Modo #838 - brass, mixed media
Raven's Journey #117 - Czech glass
Vintaj #834 - brass (wholesale only)

Here is the whole list of exhibitors - there are so many more artists than the ones listed here and I will enjoy discovering new talent to share with you here on the Art Bead Scene!

Is there a booth you are planning to visit that we should mark on our list?  Share it in the comments below.