Over 200 artisans from across Southern California and around the world are coming together in late July for the upcoming Pasadena Bead and Design Show 2021, showcasing limited-edition and unique hand-crafted products, including hand-sewn clothing, artistic jewelry, hand-carved gemstones, and lampwork beads.
The show is coming back live and in person at the Hilton Pasadena from Friday, July 23, to Sunday, July 25. The exhibit will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We have new artists with brand new designs
Show manager Casey Kennerson said the artists have spent the last year-and-a-half in their studios creating new designs.
“So you can expect to see many new things in both beads and gems and jewelry and art clothing,” she said. “We have some new artists with brand new designs, also”
The show promises an array of variety.
“We’ll have right around 200 (exhibitors) and it’s pretty close to what we had pre-pandemic. It was a fast turnaround once everything opened to get this show back on. So almost everybody could come. It was a little bit short notice for a few people, but we’re just about at the normal size.”
Many products are being offered for the first time at the Hilton Pasadena event, made by the artisans themselves. These include an array of designer accessories such as felted hats, artwear, hand-dyed silks, hand-tooled leather, and eco-dyed and upcycled clothing.
Some of the favorites of past Pasadena Bead Shows, the organizers said, include Patricia Healey, with their hand-fabricated copper beads and charms; and Pacific Silver, with handmade jewelry made out of natural gemstones.
“For the new ones, we have Teeka, that has an eclectic mix of beads, silver, gemstones, textiles, including fair-trade suppliers, and Mirage beads,” Kennerson added. “And then we have another one – Kilim, which has antique textiles and trade beads, old, very old, antique beads and jewelry. And the Stone Muse [is] going to be coming in and she has beautiful Jade jewelry and pieces, all one-of-a-kind that are made with pieces from around the world.”
The exhibitors, who are carefully chosen by invitation and juried application, include both traditional and contemporary artisans, high-quality merchants, and wholesale suppliers.
Workshops are offered daily, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. They are taught by beadmakers and artisans, offering step-by-step instruction for all skill levels, and most include tools and materials. Topics and projects include jewelry design, polymer clay, wirework, crystal setting, bead making, art clay silver, hand-knotting, mixed media, chainmaille, and enameling.
Admission is $8 online or $10 at the door, good for all three days, with both wholesale and retail pricing once you’re inside. There is no admission charge for youths 17 and under.
To purchase entry tickets, visit www.beadagio.com/attendee/
