Bead Show

Have any of you ever been to a bead show?  I went to one this weekend in Edison, NJ and let me tell you....it was crazy.  You would have thought they were giving the beads away the way I got tossed around by people.  People jumping in front of you, invading your personal space.  It was unreal.  Despite all of that, I did buy some really pretty stuff while I was there.  My favorite exhibitor was Ana Capri ( http://www.anacapribeads.com/).  She sells the most beautiful Venetian glass beads.  You need to check out her website.  Everything is so beautiful.  I truly wanted to buy everything she had.  Here were some of my choices:

         
I really can't wait to create with these!

I also picked up some white jade, dog-toothed ameythst, and blue chalcedony from Park Ave Beads. Another purchase was starfish and sand dollar sterling silver charms, and can I just say, sterling silver is getting outrageous!  Anyone have a good alternative metal to use instead of silver that still shines like silver?  Please let me know.

Let me know what your experience has been at the bead show....I would love to hear from you.