Helpful Tips for Bead Show Shopping

As jewelry designers, artists, silversmiths, and crafters the season for bead and materials buying is never ending. Though through-out the year most people purchase their materials as needed, sometimes holding out for the big bead shows that come in the fall. How does one keep their budget in check and under control at these bead shows? It’s hard to resist buying from all the national and international vendors that bring direct to you their beads, findings, pendants, wire, tools, and even finished products. So ask yourself what to do, how to be a smart shopper and avoid the ‘impulse buys’ by getting prepared.

Here’s a suggested list of some helpful tips for bead show shopping:

1) So when will bead shows be in your area? Check the sites of your favorite venders or shows for more information or your local bead and lapidary shops for additional shows in your area.

2) Set a budget as to what you will spend; this may be determined by stock you are out of and some left over for purchases of specialty items.

3) Bring a couple of checks, plenty of cash and your credit cards just in case you run into someone who doesn’t take one or the other.

4) Bring a copy of your Tax ID certificate and business cards. Some shows are known as wholesale only and will require these items for entrance and purchase. If it is a public show, don’t be afraid to ask the vendors for a wholesale discount and provide both these items to them to get a discount.

5) Make a list of items you are out of; these will be the first things to look for at the show. If I know that I’ll be buying from previous vendors, I’ll group those items together on the list for ease.

6) I also make a list of items I am looking for and want; it could be stones or pendants I’ve seen online or a combination of colors in another design. This helps to keep the ‘impulse’ buying down by knowing what you are looking for and can afford.

7) Wear comfortable shoes and bring a large bag or rolling suitcase to load all your goodies into.

8) Include in your shopping bag several sizes of zip lock bags; as you find things that go together, put them in the little baggies, this makes it easy to determine why you purchased these little gems when you get home.

9) Paper and pen; I bring paper and pen to mark bead names if they are not already marked. This makes identifying much easier than guessing or having to go through the process to indentify each unknown stone or pendant.

10) If you are looking to match a pendant, beads or color combination you already have; bring a few of these on a string or in a baggie to matchup at the bead show. This takes the guess work out of ‘thinking’ something matched and finding out later it wasn’t even close.

11) Bring baby wipes for easy cleanup; looking through tons of strands of beads and boxes of findings can get a little messy and dusty.

12) Look for suppliers whose ads you’ve seen for products you’re interested in. Bring the ad if possible and look for those products; this is the perfect place to handle these items before purchasing to determine if this is what you really wanted.

13) Take breaks and rest, get something to eat, drink and take time to review your shopping list and bag; typically it takes an entire day to attend a bead show.

14) Last but not least; this takes willpower but walk the entire show first to see what available, check out pricing and watch what others are buying. Many vendors have the same products and offer different discounts; look for the best quality and prices available. Make note as to vendors you want to return to for purchases of those goodies after you have finished walking the whole show.

15) Above all --- be a smart shopper and have fun!

To Be or Not To Be – Lady Bug

Another new design in the charmed versions I’m doing. This one has been referred to as a “Lady Bug”; the center focal is a murano glass large puffy red heart with black pot-a-dots. All around are hand-charmed pieces in freshwater cultured button pearls, bicone Swarovski Fire Opal crystals that bring out the deep red of the crystal among the orange, black onyx smooth tube and round black agate stones.

Nestled among the pieces I done double twist coils in artistic non-tarnish wire; along with the stationary swirls at either end; with the nesting of the charms, you could wear this necklace either direction giving it two different looks.




I really enjoy making these new pendant necklaces; so watch out for more of these to hit our online shop soon!

Find adventure browsing through our wearable earth artisan crafted jewelry available for purchase!

Unusual Mixed Blending of Beads

This necklace is crafted of different types of beads for a totally unique and unusual design. The look is quite chic and trendy, yet a little casual and subtle with the blending of natural colors in browns and tans with bolder blues and reds. At the focal is a large leaf murano glass pendant in blue, red, metallic copper, and tan with a clear front but set against a medium purple/red background, giving it an abstract coloring.

The base of the necklace is made from a mix of different beads; first start with the light tan colored rondelle disks which are actually wooden beads for a littler feel. Next near the pendant are nicely patterned flat oval shaped red fossil coral and red jasper well rondelle stones. Between I’ve mixed in lovely cloisonné beads of red with a smattering of gold, pink and white; they are capped with dainty filigree antiqued copper bead-caps. To pull the blue from the pendant I chose a few faceted metallic sapphire colored rondelle crystals and finished off with a copper twisted toggle.



The entire piece is a mix and blending of different beads to create a chic and casual designer look.


Browse our collection of wearable earth to find your next artisan crafted treasure.

Fall & Winter Bead Show Season

Football season is starting and cooler temperatures are around the corner; with it comes the fall and winter bead-rock-mineral-fossil show season!! For shows in your area, check with your local paper, hobby/beading store or mineral/rock shop; make sure to check with the show to see if it is wholesale only or open to the public. Those that are wholesale require the buyer to have a business license, state sales tax ID, and business card; so make sure to check out the show before attending so that you won’t be turned down if it’s not open to the public.

The list below is of shows in the surrounding area of San Antonio and Austin; you can check their websites for listings and more information.

Parker Trade Shows

International Gem & Jewelry Show

The Whole Bead ShowAustin Gem & Mineral Show
Fossil Fest / Fossilmania

Looking for shows around the country or in your area? Check out Gem Shows Blog for a very extensive listing of both public and wholesale shows around the country.

Randolph AFB – ROSC Special Activities Welcome Coffee

If you are a member, returning member or want to become a member of the Randolph Officer’s Spouses Club (ROSC) at Randolph Air Force Base, then come on out to their Welcome Coffee!!

Even if you’re not a member and want to find out more about the club and what it has to offer, come on out and enjoy yourself with everyone!!

When: Thursday, September 2nd
Where: Parr O’Club, RAFB

As always, we will be there premiering several of our fall and winter designs, along with many other uniquely artisan crafted jewelry designs!!!

Visit our online shop to see our jewelry selection that will be at the Welcome Coffee; though we are saving some surprises that haven’t been listed yet!!