Saturday, October 07, 2006
Sydney Bead and Gem Show
Today I went to the Sydney Bead and Gem Show. It was held at Olympic Park in Homebush. While I spent a few hours at the show, my husband took our son bike-riding around Centennial Park and swimming at the Aquatic Centre. So everyone was happy. LOL.
I wasn't allowed to take any photographs inside the pavilion, so I took a few outside. They are kind of boring, but here you go:
And this was the line-up to get in. There were tonnes of people there! Entry to the show cost $13.00. I didn't think that was too bad, as there were lots of free demonstrations throughout the day.
I went to the show more as a business person than a beader. I have never been to one before, and I wanted to get a feel for what they're all about. And my first reaction was dismay! There was just so many traders there (more than 100) with mountains and mountains and mountains of stock. It made me realise how small is my little Tomjoolery, with all my wares snugly packed in one room. But I still love it, even though it's the runt of the litter!
I soon shook off the business hat and started thinking like a beader. And that's when I really had to control myself, because there was so much beautiful choice - oodles of beads and findings in every conceivable shape and size. I spent a lot of time floating from stall to stall just taking it all in, with a dazed look on my face.
One seller must have thought I was quite strange. She had for sale these massive faceted glass beads. No kidding, they were the size of golf balls. My favourites were the jet black. At more than $100 for a strand of about 10, they were outside my price range, so I just kept running my fingers over them. They were deliciously cool to the touch. Mesmerising.
I became so overwhelmed with all the choice that in the end I didn't buy much at all. I bought some antique-brass kilt-pin brooch bases that I'll be listing at Tomjoolery some time soon. And the rest was for me: some gorgeous porcelain "blue willow" style beads from a sweet little Asian man; some assorted Indian lampwork beads (pretty!); a kit to make a memory-wire bracelet (for my step-mum, who loves those kinds of bracelets); and two large, faceted crystals that I will turn into pendants. Can't wait!
I would have bought more, but some stalls were so crowded it was impossible to get in to have a look at their stuff. And on two occasions, I got sick of waiting, waiting, waiting to pay for something - so I just put the beads back on the rack and moved on.
My opinion of the Bead and Gem Show? Definitely worth a visit, but try to get there when it's least busy - early in the morning, for example.
I wasn't allowed to take any photographs inside the pavilion, so I took a few outside. They are kind of boring, but here you go:
And this was the line-up to get in. There were tonnes of people there! Entry to the show cost $13.00. I didn't think that was too bad, as there were lots of free demonstrations throughout the day.
I went to the show more as a business person than a beader. I have never been to one before, and I wanted to get a feel for what they're all about. And my first reaction was dismay! There was just so many traders there (more than 100) with mountains and mountains and mountains of stock. It made me realise how small is my little Tomjoolery, with all my wares snugly packed in one room. But I still love it, even though it's the runt of the litter!I soon shook off the business hat and started thinking like a beader. And that's when I really had to control myself, because there was so much beautiful choice - oodles of beads and findings in every conceivable shape and size. I spent a lot of time floating from stall to stall just taking it all in, with a dazed look on my face.
One seller must have thought I was quite strange. She had for sale these massive faceted glass beads. No kidding, they were the size of golf balls. My favourites were the jet black. At more than $100 for a strand of about 10, they were outside my price range, so I just kept running my fingers over them. They were deliciously cool to the touch. Mesmerising.
I became so overwhelmed with all the choice that in the end I didn't buy much at all. I bought some antique-brass kilt-pin brooch bases that I'll be listing at Tomjoolery some time soon. And the rest was for me: some gorgeous porcelain "blue willow" style beads from a sweet little Asian man; some assorted Indian lampwork beads (pretty!); a kit to make a memory-wire bracelet (for my step-mum, who loves those kinds of bracelets); and two large, faceted crystals that I will turn into pendants. Can't wait!
I would have bought more, but some stalls were so crowded it was impossible to get in to have a look at their stuff. And on two occasions, I got sick of waiting, waiting, waiting to pay for something - so I just put the beads back on the rack and moved on.
My opinion of the Bead and Gem Show? Definitely worth a visit, but try to get there when it's least busy - early in the morning, for example.
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Siobhan, some sellers may have mountains and mountains of stock, but at least what you have is truly unique! I know what you mean about waiting in line and then walking off, I did the same thing at the Brisbane one, sick of waiting around. There was one stall that had so many people crammed in I couldn't even get a look in, I think I went home after that. Good to hear you had a good day though, plus husband and child free!
I also know what you mean about the crowds. I was there on Saturday too...wonder if our paths crossed unknowingly? We found that the crowd thinned out noticeably after about 2:30 which made it a lot easier to have a look at most things. I will try to go again next year...with a bigger budget. I didn't see anyone who had the lovely stock like yours though.
# posted by 
: October 09, 2006 5:23 PM
: October 09, 2006 5:23 PM
Aw, thanks, Anne (and Margie too). I purposely wore a necklace that I had posted on the Beading Forum, thinking someone might recognise it and say: "Hey, are you Siobhan? I am so-and-so from the Forum." But alas . . . I didn't meet anyone. Maybe next time. LOL.
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