Wow, what a great day I had at the San Mateo Gem and Jewelry Show! It has been about 2 years since I attended. I went the day after Thanksgiving, because I needed more sterling silver necklaces and figured most people would be at the department stores. I was right, it was busy but not the mad house it can be.
Before I even made it to the wholesale section I found 2 booths I wanted to explore in depth. I had another goal in mind. Find sterling silver ring blanks and any other flat designed jewelry that I could use with my dichroic glass cabochons. I have not been satisfied with the selection offered by my current suppliers. When I mentioned what I was looking for, the sellers showed me more designs to choose from than I ever expected. There was nothing like this a few years back.
I now have rings sized 6 to 8 1/2 in different designs, solid sterling silver bracelets, many pendants, earrings, and a nice variety of findings to add interest with my fused glass jewels.
I kept finding what I needed in so many booths. I had a wealth of treasures to take back to the studio. What a day, full of surprises both the shopping kind and the people kind. I ran into a designer I know while we were searching for findings. Laura makes lovely beaded jewelry. And as I was working my way out of the show I met Shannon as she was leaving. Not only was she leaving the show, but she is leaving the area and moving to Orange County for a new job in a few weeks. I will miss our all too infrequent visits. After five hours at the show I was on my way home with all my new shiny silver.
This week I start working on new jewelry designs and a new line of hand painted Hamsa. More information about this new line later.
