I did it again -- I went to bead heaven!  And this time it wasn't in the form of sleepless nights beading naked in the woods (as Jason loves to describe it :)...), it was in the form of a bead bazaar -- two days of bead shopping at the Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins. 

I spent too much money and now have too many projects...but I'm keeping busy.  Check out my finds!

Can you tell I love hearts?  The spiral beads on the right will be earrings with a chain that spins in and out; they're made out of Borosilicate glass that was originally developed for cookware aka Pyrex.  So they're pretty durable and unique.  I don't make too many earrings, but I'm going to give it a try and hopefully make some fab gifts.

What I LOVE most about these shows is meeting the artists.  I met Steve, the man  behind the spiral beads (and Bokamo Designs); he told me about his process and his work schedule.  I also met Mallory Huffman aka Rosebud.  She makes beautiful, colorful lampwork beads; I bought the spotted pink heart and the butterfly button from her.  The cool Chinese warrior pendant is from M'OR Designs.  They have a storefront at Rosedale Mall.  The toggles are from C-Koop out of Duluth.  The clear heart is from Amy's Creative Bead out of Iowa.  And the clasp in the bottom middle is from AD Adornments; the picture doesn't do any of these beads justice, but especially this one!  It's an antique button set in sterling silver.   

Another thing I love about the bazaar is hanging with my bead sisters!  It was a blast meeting up with them and showing each other the treasures we found.

Look, I'm owning up to it...I'm a bead dork!

And damn proud of it!         

The next bazaar is at the end of October.

Twin Cities Bead Bazaar