Rings and Things Bead Show!

We arrived, 12:01 and the parking lot was already filling up. The Grand Inn in Grand Rapids is a decent sized Hotel, geared toward Conferences and Events like this Bead show.

When we entered we were greeting by a very friendly young guy that handed us all a tray and explained pricing and location of each type of item. He was patient with the three of us; Bead Show Virgins and sent us on our way.

Each table had several types of items. Strung beads, pearls or spacer beads. It was all a shiny, sparkly heaven. There were a few tables of Tools, Findings, Swarovski Crystals and Bulk chain. I loved how each type of item was separated, so you knew that if you were at findings table you'd find every type of finding possible. No meandering around in a maze like confusion. Cori kept me on track, for the most part, and was really patient as the crowd grew. She was quick to point out some styles and colors we had been discussing for the last week in anticipation for this event.

Candace was the most impressed with the selection of semi precious beads. She loves working with specific types. She picked up some gorgeous Labradorite beads that I can't wait to see in one of her original creations. I needed E beads (Size 6 seed beads) and found a great selection back by the findings. I bored Cori silly, as I slowly and meticulously picked through almost every bag of beads. I think if Cori had not been there, and it was just Candace and I we'd have wandered around like mice in a cheese house and accomplished nothing. Personally, I was very happy to see a great selection of Argentium silver and sterling silver findings. Argentium silver is growing in popularity for it's wonderful resistance to tarnish.

The set up was wonderful, there was room enough for most people to wind in and around the tables, but around 12:40 it started to get crowded and we made our way to the check out table. In less than five minutes, our items were tallied up, bagged, we snagged a free "Rings and Things" ruler and we were on our way.

Catalogs were available so Candace and I took one of each. I'm looking to her for pointers on how to string better and compose pieces with a balanced eye.

This Bead Show was small but the selection of merchandise was vast. I went in with several things in mind and got all but one of them.

DAVE! Tell your crew to stock more tools, I still need a chasing hammer!

Thanks Rings and Things. You met my 'fix' for shiny, sparkly until September... See you on the 18th!


Check out more pictures on our Facebook page. AND coming soon, pictures of what I bought, and what I MADE with supplies from Rings and Things!