Beading and Craft Fairs

Craft work is BIG here and I really mean Big. The number of craft fairs here is an indication. Since moving here, I've been to at least 3 big fairs (not taking note of other smaller fairs within the different suburbs) in Perth Convention Centre and Claremont Showground. (I will try and put up a list of bead suppliers and craft fairs later.)

I'm into beading so these fairs not only gives me ideas for my jewellery designs but also the source for my raw materials. It is not easy to get natural stones and sliver and goldfill findings here. There are more bead shops over the eastern states. So, these fairs brings together some of the local and eastern states suppliers. (Hurray!!)

I always believe that you need to feel and look at the stones you are buying and I can spend a whole afternoon looking and touching the stones on display. (I will always end up with some stones to add to my growing collection somehow!!) Finding a good supplier here locally is a challenge (still is) so I thought I should try doing online purchase but a disappointing online purchase just reinforce my belief of touchy feely before buying.

I saw this string of beautiful mix coloured stones (citrine, topaz to name a few) on a online shop and they were on sale. On top of that some of the goldfill findings (hard to find!!) were also on sale. So, I was really overjoyed to be able to get my hands on them. It was a long one and a half week wait for my purchase and when they finally arrived in the mail I was jumping like a jack-in-a-box. On opening the package, the findings were as I had expected and they look really sweet. But, when I took a look at the stones, they did not turn out the way it was shown on the photos... I felt so cheated! Now, I'll only do online buying when I get recommendations from good suppliers I have tried.