Last week I and a zillion other bead heads were in Milwaukee for the largest bead consumer show in the world. It was my second year attending and I felt a little more at home, knowing a lot of the faces from last year, the agenda and the floor plans of the event. I've been back home five days now and I'm still digesting what I saw/fondled/drooled over and who I met/laughed with/hugged.
It is still very odd to me that I kind of get treated like a rock star, with people wanting to meet me, have their picture taken with me and even get my autograph (which I find highly amusing). It's like living in an alternate reality for a week. And I do my share of hero worshipping as I meet designers who have influenced and inspired my work....and maybe I'll get an autograph if I buy a designer's book :) This year the person who made my head explode was Diane Fitzgerald who sat and played with my motion pieces, chatting with me about what I do and the whole designing/teaching thing....oh...I held it together and behaved like an adult until she left and then I bounced up and down like a two year old. I mean.....that was the Grande Dame of Beading and she liked my stuff!!
I had my latest designs on show....the Put a Ring On It rotator cuff, and the upcoming Tilt-A-Whirl, Maypole and Skelter pendants. A little boy, about 1 yr old, was completely taken with Tilt....his eyes lit up and he swirled and tilted it gleefully, giggling when he got it to move....that was the moment I thought "I design toys" :)
I didn't to take as much video as I would have liked but I did manage to capture some of the craziness.....waiting for the showroom to open. Now be warned the video is a little 'hectic' and 'all over the place' but that's sort of what it's like while you're waiting for the doors to open. So many people, so much eye candy...you don't know where to look and of course the hustle and bustle of everyone else looking too. I do think I captured the feel of it...well...my feelings, yours may be different :)
And of course the stash I came away with .....it did take four days to accumulate this haul.
The show was brilliant! Do go if you can, you won't regret it.
A shopped out Mikki!
You are one of my favourite bead people and I mean that sincerely. I love your work and I know a load of other beaders do too; you offer something different and fun! I think I am one of your biggest fans and I totally would take a photo and ask for an autograph if I met you too, so yes, it doesn't sound odd that others would. To say it simply. You rock.
ReplyDeleteWhat an enjoyable video too. Thank you for sharing.
Aww...thanks <3 I feel more like I have my place in the bead world this year but as I live a pretty solitary life the whole hoopla can be overwhelming. This year having a hotel suite away from the event where I could stretch and relax helped a lot....and I know Patrick appreciated our digs as he wanted to move in..lol!
DeleteGreat post!!!
ReplyDeleteIYou had me twirling in delight . ;) lolzzzzzz
ReplyDeletewhat Sherry said! thank you so much for sharing this video, I sat here looking at it with a huge smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteI lived in the Milwaukee area until three years ago and I went every year to the B&B show. How I miss it now. Your video brought back all the wonderful memories that I have.
ReplyDeleteYou are a beading rock star Mikki!....I love your designs and am working my way through them.
Ohhhh, I love it!! You can be my travelling reporter ANYtime. Getting to this show is absolutely on my bucket list...hope I make it before I croak. AND I'll definitely ask for your autograph! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt must have been loads of fun seeing all the pretty eye candy and meeting your beading idols. You are definitely on my "take a picture list with a famous beader". The only famous beader I have ever met is Huib Petersen when he came to Israel and I was thrilled to have sat in on one of his classes. I do hope I get the chance to meet some other beading celebs and be able to chat with them and see their work up close. Pictures are wonderful but it can't compete with seeing the creations in person and seeing the real colors and sparkle. Thanks for the video, I totally enjoyed it.
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