Competitive Jewelry Wearing - or - Ohmigawd u look fahhhhbulous dahlink

When you go to big shows and conventions, like Tucson or Bead and Button, you are going to the one event where you can wear your most fabulous jewellery and have it be really appreciated. There is no such thing as wearing too much jewelry at these events!

Oh, sure, you might trot out that piece that you spent 1200 hours making and wear it to the office - and maybe someone will say - "Nice Jewellery" but the odds are - that bunch of philistines are never going to really truly understand what a labour of love it was. ;-)

But - when you wear it to an event like the upcoming Bead and Button show - well - you WILL be stopped in the street by admirers. Not just people who think it's an attractive personal adornment - but by folks who appreciate that amount of time and effort, the care spent selecting just the right beads and the skill in the execution of your fabulous piece. They may well be wearing something equally fabulous that you also can admire, and yes, even envy.

So, if you've never been to a show - you should try it at least one time for the experience of feeling like a minor celebrity. It's a pretty cool sensation.

Of course, you can always come into beadFX if you need an appreciation fix - we're never too shy to stop in the middle of a conversation and admire your jewellery.

So, if fabulous jools are de rigueur for shows, what does Marg - bead store owner and buyer wear? Because she HAS to look fabulous - and she needs something new for each show. Can't wear the same jewels two years in a row. People would talk. ;-)

And what is the well-dressed bead buyer wearing this season? Why - this fabulous little number made by her fave designer - the inestimable DragonJools - Dwyn Tomlinson.

This stunning creation features one of Dwyn's fabulous new-this-season focal lampwork beads called "The Sundered Heart." Representing both the strength and the fragility of love, the Sundered Heart appears to be torn apart but still "hanging in there, baby!" Matching handmade beads are accented perfectly with Swarovski Crystal Elements in Crystal Moonlight and Indian Sapphire. A gorgeous Sterling Silver cat-themed clasp is a nod to Marg's love of cats. Overall, the piece is 18 inches and contains 18 6mm Indian Sapphire Swarovski Bicones and the same number of 6 mm bicones in Crystal Moonlight - the extra sparkle of the Crystal Moonlight being a perfect complete to the water-clear lampwork beads. The handmade glass beads feature Creation is Messy's deep transparent inky blue called Leaky Pen and Lauscha Clear - famous for it's perfect clarity.

Ciao dahlink! See you on the runway!