BEADS beads and More Beads

by Staci L. Smith

I am still up to my elbows in beads, but at least, they are all done now!  I am finally ready for the bead show.  It's really a lot of prep to re-stock inventory at the beginning of the year.  Once I have a full inventory for Berks, the rest of the year I can just do small batches as needed, but this, well, this was a HUGE undertaking.

 

Each metal clay bead is hand formed, or molded, or stamped and cut out, dried, sanded, fired, cleaned, tumbled, patinated, sealed, waxed, and has the holes re-cleaned.

 

Each polymer bead is hand formed, fired, painted, painted, painted painted, (yes, some have up to 5 layers to get the effects I like) and sealed.  The painting is very labor intensive!!!!

 

The last of the prep is pricing, and I will be finishing that up this morning.  It is my least favorite part.

 

I always do a mock up of what my table will look like as I prep, so I know where I need to fill in as I make beads.  Here she is, all ready to get packed up.  I leave tomorrow for the show.

 

You can compare where it was a week ago, to where it is today.  Here is last weeks post http://www.lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-bead-show.html

 

Here is the whole display, complete with jewerly samples and all.

 

Here are some close up shots of the trays of beads I will be offering.  After the show there will be a massive etsy update! 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for letting me share my progress.  I promise to post about something other then making beads next post.

 

I think I actually feel ready for this show.  Which is odd for me, there is usually a whole list of things I feel I need to do that never get completed. 

 

Do you ever feel completely ready before a show?