Harrogate Bead Fair

Yesterday was a good day! We went for a crafty day out in nearby Yorkshire - first to York (such a pretty place, if you're ever in this neck of the woods, do visit!) where we visited the Quilt Museum and Gallery. They had a exhibition on - Freedom to Stitch: The Emergence of the Embroiderer as Artist’ as well as quite a few of their permanent collection pieces. We both loved it (is that a sign of age, that Saturday morning is for travelling to a nearby obscure gallery??? I'm sure that wasn't what I was doing five years ago!) - and were astounded by the amazing amount of work which must have gone into each and every piece. The hours that were hanging on those walls! Beautiful and astonishing. 

We then made the short trip over to Harrogate to stop in at the Bead Fair happening this weekend. Sometimes with the bead fairs I've visited over the past few years (and there have been MANY...) it is easy to get a little tired of seeing the same vendors there over and over again - not that any of them aren't great but there's nothing like finding a new stall or two to peruse, is there??! Bead Fair overkill I guess!! But this Bead Fair was a little different, I guess perhaps because it's a two day event, it maybe attracts different folk. Anyway, I got to meet one of my online bead friends in 'real' life because Precious Sparkle Beads (one of my favourite shops as anyone regular readers will surely know!) have a stand at this show. SO fantastic to be able to see their beautiful beads in the 'flesh' and also to meet Dawn Cotton Fuge! She's lovely and it was great to be able to meet and chat with her. If you're ever in need of a gemstone or two then do hop over to their shop - all of their stock is simply stunning. Clearly, I spent far too much money at their table....Here's a selection of my new beads...

Amethyst Faceted Oval Cut Briolettes

Green Onyx Faceted Heart Briolettes 

(I think these might be my favourites!)

Labradorite Faceted Drop Briolettes

Orange Garnet Faceted Drop Briolettes

Peach Moonstone Faceted Drop Briolettes

Are you getting that I like Briolettes...??? Looking forward to creating some pretties with all of these lovelies. Hope you're all having a good weekend! I'm still seriously in need of some sleep.....zzzz