Last week I went to the Bead Renaissance Show and the International Gem & Jewelry Show (sometimes called Intergem) in Denver. I went looking for new items I might use in magazine submissions or in my Etsy shop, as well as ideas for fun challenge materials for my next seasonal blog hop in January. (Yes, I'm already looking!)
Here's what I noticed:
Bye-bye Sterling Silver
This isn't a new trend, just a lingering one. The booths specializing in sterling silver were empty of customers when I visited Friday morning. That made me feel so sad, but at the same time, it's hard for me personally to justify buying much sterling silver if I can't find anyone to buy sterling silver jewelry at higher prices.
Nina Designs reported that this will be their last year at the Denver Intergem show. Their specialty is sterling silver, but that have started branching out in other, less expensive metals. I bought a few of their pure bronze charms. (By the way, if you order from them for the first time, feel free to list my name as a referral. You'll get $5 off.)
The Lipstick Ranch had a very busy booth. She makes rusted iron
pendants that you might have seen featured in some of the beading magazines. She also
had a nice selection of copper pendants and charms.
Make It Your Own
I couldn't resist the patterned aluminum at LillyPilly Designs. Their booth was very busy. I suspect one reason their elements are popular is that not only are they made from a less expensive metal, but their booth displayed lots of examples of how to customize components. For example, the patterned aluminum here may be colored, domed, riveted, inserted in a bezel, or domed with resin. Since the jewelry field is so crowded, using customized components is one way that jewelry designers can stand out.
Materials with a History
The old coins are from Hands of the Hills. They have a lot of old, unusual materials collected from their travels around the world. Vintage, historical, and international materials are still very popular, judging by how many people were shopping their small booth when I visited. Not only does using them make your jewelry unique, but it also gives you a story to tell. And everyone loves a story!
Chain Fading Out?
I found the chain selection at both shows disappointing. There wasn't much chain available and I didn't see anything new in terms of new shapes or finishes. Is chain on its way out or in a temporary holding pattern? Magazines are still full of chain designs, so I don't think this is going away immediately. I love chain, so it will be interesting to watch what happens in this area.
Where are the Handmade Beads?
The Bead Renaissance show was smaller than in years past, but there were noticeably fewer independent beadmakers present. It seems like more people are making their own beads now more than ever. However, many more people buy beads online now, so maybe it's harder to justify the cost and time to do an in-person show. Or beadmakers must be more selective about the shows that they choose. A small show might be worth it if you're local, but not if you need to add in the costs of travel and hotel. I can understand this, but at the same time, missed seeing lots of handmade beads in person. There's nothing like being able to hold a bead in your hand!
If you've been to a bead show lately, I'd love to know your observations!