Nancy showed up at my house on Thursday night, to spend the night- I can't tell you how excited I was for this whole weekend. We had a nice dinner that Joe made for us, and then enjoyed the evening drinking wine and video chatting with Kelley and Cass. Oh how I loved laughing with these girls.
We set off for the 5 hour drive, early Friday morning after a pitstop to Daylight donuts for the best local coffee and doughnuts. The drive flew by as we chatted about everything, Etsy, fellow designers, our biggest inspirations, significant others, our homes, jewelry, beads, you name it!
We arrived at the airport and picked up Cass and Kelley from their flight from Atlanta. Then bolted to the hotel in heavy anticipation of the show. Checked in, and practically ran to the showroom floor where we visited with friends, and scoped out all our favorite vendors for the next day of shopping! It was fun to see how the newbies reacted to the rows and rows of beads- I remember feeling just as overwhelmed last year! It can take your breath away!
Friday evening we all went out to dinner, and had a few other friends join us, Diane Hawkey and Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood. We met up with my good friend Beth at the restaurant. We had a great meal, and chatted the night away. Dessert was held in our hotel room, Kelley brought the most delicious Mississippi Mud Cake and Butter Cake for all of us to devour.
After a great omelet breakfast in the hotel restaurant, we attended the show and did some major shopping damage. We shopped from 10 to 6, with only minimum drama when my bank card temporarily did not work for a certain bead vendor. That was a pain!
That evening we went out to dinner at the King of Prussia mall, and enjoyed a nice evening of chatting and great food. Sangria at the hotel room after, and more laughter. I swear my face hurt that evening, due to all the laughing. Diane tells the BEST stories about her daughter.
We made one last round at the show on Sunday morning before jetting off to take Cass and Kelley back to the airport. I did not want to say good-bye! For the first time in my life, I have a real, honest, I GOT YOUR BACK, group of friends that I can love and depend on. Women that share my interests, women that are strong, and independent, and love me for who I am. I love them with all my heart and I am counting down the days til I can see them all again.
I was so excited to finally meet Mary Jane Dodd! Can't you tell?? She arrived on Sunday morning for a class with Susan Lenart Kazmer (who I also met this weekend, but didn't get pictures of, dang!) It was great to be able to steal a few moments with Mary Jane. We were disappointed that she couldn't have been there the whole weekend for our bead shopping extravaganza. Looking forward to next year's show which will undoubtedly be even better with more friends, and more FUN!
Tune in later for
bead porn from the show!
