Last Hurrah at the Bead and Button Show

Hello all,

Most of you know that the Bead and Button Show took place last week in Milwaukee.  A trip to this show has traditionally been my annual buying trip to stock up on stones and tools to last the whole year.  With so much going on in my life right now, I didn't think I would be attending, much to my dismay.  Then I received a call from "Grandma's teeth in the curio" Joren asking if I would like to attend with her and her daughter.  You bet I would!  Plans were quickly made and off we went. 

I've attended the show when it's been unseasonably cold and been chilled to the bone.  Been there when the tornado sirens are blaring.  But this year, it was beautiful.  We couldn't have ordered up more perfect weather or a better time.  While I'm sad that this will most likely be my last trip to the Bead and Button Show,  after the move we'll be a mere 15 hours from........wait for it..........yes, that's right!  TUCSON!  The show to end all shows.  So I'm hoping the second most interesting man in the world will think that sounds like a fun time and go with me.  Sounds like a trip every man would want to take, right?

Pull up a chair, a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join us, won't you?  I promise, it's a guaranteed good time.

But first a hearty congratulations to Ellice of  Enlightened Lotus Wellness.  She is a wellness consultant with a degree in alternative medicine who helps others find wellness with self awareness, nutrition and lifestyle modification.  Wishing you every success, Ellice!

and now let's visit the show.......

You can just tell that these two are going to be fun, eh?

Drea is the sweetest.

And away we go.......

Cool lobby.

I don't know which artists created these amazing pieces

so I'm not able to credit them,

but feast your eyes..

and gourmet snacks

ummm, on second thought, not feeling all that hungry,

thanks anyway....

here's a sampling of what I purchased......

Tiny little bottles of JAX to experiment with

Note to self...

DO NOT

buy hammers at the first booth!

UGH!

ooohhhhhh

awwwwwwww

This is what happens when two women want the same strand of beads.

Creative women can be brutal when something sparkly catches their eye!

Joren was very brave about it and didn't complain at all.

The people at that first aid booth had some crazy stitching skills, eh?

Kidding.

These are glass.

so yummy

Gorgeous rhinestones from Margola.

I'm going to miss seeing lovely Laura each year.

This Roman glass was a total splurge that I have resisted

every year.  Since this might be my last chance to get some, I went for it.

And I'm glad I did.  It's beautiful.

Then we had lunch with the talented

Amy Waldman-Smith

who had been demonstrating lampworking techniques.

Drea trying the "wedding cupcake" hat on for size.

decided to go grab some Cuban food for dinner.

Guys, if you're ever in Milwaukee,

you've got to try out Cubanitas.

Absolutely the best Cuban food I've ever had.

And after living in Southern Florida, I've had some great Cuban food.

I want whatever she's having

Gorgeous Art Deco repouse' 

on the walk back to the room

That's the balcony outside of our room.

hahahahahaha

we discovered that we couldn't access the wifi in our room

so down to the lobby we went with high hopes

 that it would work a little bit better there.

apparently not!

no checking in and keeping on top of emails

on this trip.

Drea was fascinated with the needle felting she saw at the show

Loving every minute of it....

check out what she made on her first try....

Yes, she just sat down and a few minutes later, these amazing critters emerged.

Too adorable!  Both Drea and her pets.

This was Joren's first try...

zero + zero=?

o and o says oh.

ohhh they're fuzzy rings!  Very nice!

Last morning there.

So much fun-ending entirely too soon.

Seriously, could she be any cuter?

On the way back to Joren's we took a detour so she could show me her favorite store

in Lake Geneva.

I'm telling ya, never a dull minute........

You'll be greeted by Robbie when you visit

I Love Funkys

and possibly her......

SWAK

Those are some glittery lips you got there, Mamie

Scarface

My sentiments exactly!

EGADS!

I'm obviously not the only one who likes faces.

Love this!

That looks like it hurts.

awesome lighting.

hahahahahaha

Why yes, I do have a wild boar hanging off the side of my wall.  Why do you ask?

Leaping through the air, swift as a gazelle....

Yeah, they let the bears run wild in this place!

Sheesh!

Do you have the odd feeling that you're being watched?

and rock candy grows on trees

You too can have your own private plane!

(in your living room)

a true metal head

wrapping it up at Funkys

and on to......

a girly store, whose name I don't recall.

should I or shouldn't I?

I shouldn't but I am!

you've heard of wine tasting?

How about olive oil tasting?

heading towards Joren's home now.......

and another 4 hours on the road for me.

look what was waiting for me when I arrived.....

excellent!

can you believe how big and juicy these are?!

and granny is being swallowed up

everything is thriving

What a nice welcome home after a wonderful

getaway.

Hope you've all had as great a week as I have.

Till next time!

Hwyl fawr (Welsh)

oh, one more thing......

Enjoy!