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Wire Jewelry Resource May 23: Bead Show Destinations

By on May 23, 2012
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Wire Jewelry Idea May 23:
Destinations for Bead Shows in the US

by Rose Marion, Wire-Sculpture.com

Well, it’s been a few months since the Tucson gem shows this winter, but I still love pulling out my Tucson treasures and seeing if today is the day to use some of the cabs and beads I collected there. I know it’s still the better part of a year before I’m back in Tucson, so I’m making my treasure last. But what if you are itching to relive the experience? Here’s a modest list of the biggest gem shows in the US. Each of these is a fantastic resource for jewelry making supplies, tools, classes, and inspiration. You should also do a Google search for "your area gem show" to see if a small show will be in your area this year, or check out this search – and I would love to hear what the big shows are in other countries. Let me know your favorites in the comments below!

  • Tucson Shows: each year from end of January through middle of February (show dates vary in this range). There is also a smaller-scale version of this event at the beginning of September. For information, check out these resources:
  • Bead Fest: Occurs four times per year in Pennsylvania, Texas, and New Mexico
  • Bead & Button: annual show in Milwaukee in June

Speaking of the Bead & Button Show… it’s just around the corner! The Bead & Button Show, from June 1-June 10, 2012 at the Frontier Airlines Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the "Biggest Consumer Bead Show in the World" will host a stunning range of jewelry supply and jewelry tool resources for handmade jewelry artists.

The Bead & Button show will have over 600 classes from over 200 jewelry instructors, including Stephanie Eddy, Rebeca Mojica, Lisa Niven Kelly, Brenda Schweder, Jackie Truty, and many more familiar names.

New to the Bead & Button Show this year, albeit veterans of the wholesale shows in Tucson, are 2 popular jewelry supply sources: Wire-Sculpture.com and JewelryTools.com! That’s right, we’ll be in Milwaukee this June with a selection of DVDs (Wire-Sculpture) and most popular tools (JewelryTools.com) – likely with special show rates or promotions.

JewelryTools, an exclusive distributor of Euro Tool jewelry making tools, will have a selection of its most-loved and most-utilized jewelry tools available, including beading, wire wrapping, soldering, metal clay, and jewelry display tools. This is just a small sampling of its 5,000 tools available online at https://www.jewelrytools.com. The official Euro Tool booth is just steps away from the JewelryTools booth, and Euro Tool will have tool representatives doing tool demonstrations every day of the show.

The Wire-Sculpture booth is located at #637. The JewelryTools.com booth is located nearby at #738 & 740 – these booths are in the middle of the sales floor. Both vendors will be open, June 7 – June 10, 2012, at the Frontier Airlines Center. Find more information about the show at https://www.beadandbuttonshow.com.

Will we see you at the Bead & Button Show this June? We would love to see you there!

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9 Comments

  1. avatar

    allison in houston

    May 23, 2012 at 7:04 am

    http://www.thebeadmarket.net/

    The Bead Market isn’t a huge show, but for folks in Texas and Oklahoma it’s great. Always free parking and admission, and reasonably priced classes for those that want them. Small enough to have vendors selling their own hand-made beads, but big enough to have vendors with large selections of all kinds of strands. I’ve gone to the Houston (Stafford) show many times, and always find some interesting things I can’t live without.

  2. avatar

    Lorry Norton

    May 23, 2012 at 8:03 am

    We have the Gem Faire here in Salt Lake City three times a year…March, June and September. I love it! It’s so dazzling to walk in and see row after row of sparkling beads and know the prospect of finding something spectacular. I’ve been going for 2 years now. Can’t wait to go again!

  3. avatar

    chris

    May 23, 2012 at 8:20 am

    http://www.innovativebeadsexpo.com/shows.php

    The Innovative Bead Expo for folks in the Northeast,
    It’s another small but fun show. There are classes in PMC and seed beading, depending on where the shows are.

  4. avatar

    Gayle

    May 23, 2012 at 8:31 am

    Although nothing can top the magnitude of wonderful finds at Tucson, I find great designer quality focal beads, cabs, etc. at my regional Gem Faire shows. I also find marvelously crafted cabochons from local and regional stones at the local gem/mineral society’s annual show. That local show is on my “must attend” list.

  5. avatar

    Karen W. Johnston

    May 23, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    Aks and Intergem are the big shows I look forward to. Also the Ocean Springs, MS gem club show and the Mobile, AL gem club show.

    • avatar

      Loris Drake

      May 25, 2012 at 7:15 am

      I`m trying to get info. on Huntsville Gem and Mineral show entry fee, dates,etc. in Oct. I think

  6. avatar

    Nancy Keane

    May 23, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    We have the G&LW wholesale shows 3 times a year in Orlando. Rings & Things has a great little show in June, also Orlando. Love them both!!!

  7. avatar

    Anita

    May 23, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    Is their any bead shows in Charlotte North Carolina?

  8. avatar

    Brenda

    May 24, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    Anita, Yes there is the Intergalaactic bead Show in Charlotte on July 14 and 15 at the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo. I go to it when it comes to Atlanta and always find cool stuff. It is worth the 3 hour drive from Chattanooga. Google them for a $ off admit.coupon