Visit to Bowers!

Bowers Museum in Santa Ana recently hosted the Bead Society of Orange County. It was a great event with a lot of very skilled artists and vendors. I was very impressed with Unicorne Beads from Placentia, and also with Lori Mendenhall's work. Overall everyone's work was fun to observe and handle, but these two vendors really stood out. They helped me look around for more copper rings, and inspired a few more ideas to incorporate in my own works (without ripping them off). Their customer service skills were superb!

I do miss the collaboration of being around my artist friends more often. We all seemed to motivate and inspire one another quite a bit. I got a little of that familiarity when speaking with Ms. Mendenhall, and Jon from Unicorne Beads.

While I didn't find any copper jump rings or supplies, I did get in contact with a few online chain-maille sites. I am a bit frustrated in translating the size specs from where I bought previously to the professional chain-maille supply sites. It's just one of those things you need to see, touch, and feel before ordering.

The visit was enjoyable as always, and I purchased some supplies to custom-bead a rosary for my grandmother. This will be one killer of a project, but I hope she will like it for a Mother's Day present. When her son, Dan, passed two years ago, she gave me the rosary her Godmother gave to her for the services. I have had it almost every day since, and used it again at another son's funeral (Matt) this year. I want to make a special one for her in return. I have her favorite colors picked out, really nice donut beads from Unicorne. I think the donut shape will feel good rolling around in her fingers - no sharp corners for her finger bones. I'll incorporate the yo-yo beads also, and wire it up in copper. We'll ask her favorite priest to bless it - but that means I'd better get to it! Mother's Day is quickly approaching. Pics to arrive soon.