March 12, 2009

Bead Store Heaven

The day before the cruise about 20 from our group took a field trip to Turquoise Coyote in Ponchatoula. It's an unassuming store in a tiny little town. We thought we had died and gone to bead store heaven. We kept looking at the prices and asking each other, "Is this the right price?" You see, it's wholesale to the public and I mean wholesale. I would tell you of the deals we found, but there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth. All I can say is if you are ever in the area it would be worth driving one or two hours out of your way.

Above is one of the many cases filled with crystals, every color and style you could imagine.

I was particularly taken with the pearls and gemstones. There were many walls lined with treasures. I felt like a kid in a candy store, I can't remember the last time I was so excited about bead shopping!

Rosanne and I were the last two in the store. We are terrible enablers! Above is her tote filled with stones, bright and bold colors for Spring.

On the first night of the cruise we announced our design contest. Everyone had a week to make something with at least two items from our gift bags. This is one I whipped up for the challenge, just for fun of course! I used some yellow opal and blue lace agate from our shopping trip. Along with a pendant from Chinook Jewelry, a door charm from Mamacita Beadworks and a leaf from Vintaj.

Yes, I have new beads! They first went on the cruise and will soon be in my Etsy shop!
Like Lorelei, I have had to buy new bins for all my beads. But there is no end in sight, Rings & Things trunk show is this weekend and I have some serious shopping planned. Now, I'm off to make jewelry and use up some of these new beads!

5 comments:

Beverly Herman said...

You took some great pictures at Turquoise Coyote. I really like the design contest on the bead cruise this year. I would love to go to the Rings & Things Trunk show!

Dave Robertson said...

Hi Heather, shopping paradise...enjoy the trunk show too...gonna take pix? Tell our crew Dave said hi!

--Dave

Rosanne said...

I am still looking at all my treasures from Pontchatula! I have the best time there looking at his beads. That's agreat picture of the amount of beads you can get there. By the bucket and then some. Can't wait to see what you get at R & T...they always have great stuff too.

Anonymous said...

*wiping up my keyboard of all the drool caused by wanting all those beads!*

Sound like you guys had one hell of a nice trip! That's a pretty great gig you've got going there.

Gorgeous new beads Heather! Think they are a great addition to your collection!

Mellisa said...

Love what you did with the pendant, such a pretty color combo! I tend to shy away from anything in the yellow family but it looks awesome with the blue!