Trade Shows are Fun!
I have spent the last couple of weeks getting all of our jewelry supplies packed and ready for our fall trade shows. If you haven’t ever seen us at a show, I really recommend you stop by. Trade shows are the perfect opportunity to see our silver and vermeil style gold plate beads, charms, and findings in person without having to pay for shipping or meet any minimum purchase requirements. Plus, nothing beats seeing our charms, pendants, and clasps in person.
This fall is going to be a busy one. We have added two new shows that we are really excited about: Bead Fest in Arlington Texas and The Whole Bead Show in Rhode Island. I can’t wait to meet some great new customers and show off our wonderful silver and gold designs.
Mark your calendars, come by the booth to see our Best Sellers and Latest Styles, or just stop by to grab a piece of candy and say hi.
FALL 2010 Trade Show Schedule
* Aug. 20-22. Bead Fest Philadelphia, PA Retail/Wholesale with credentials. Click here for a Free Admission Pass.
* Sept. 10-12. Intergem San Mateo, CA. Wholesale Only.
* Sept. 16-19. Intergem Denver, CO. Wholesale Only.
* Sept. 24-26. Intergem Santa Monica, CA. Wholesale Only
* Oct. 1-3. Bead Fest Arlington, TX. Retail/Wholesale with credentials. Visit Beadfest online for a Free Admission Pass.
* Oct. 8-10. Whole Bead Show Providence, RI. Retail/Wholesale with credentials
* Oct 15-17. Whole Bead Show New York, NY. Retail/Wholesale with credentials.
* Nov. 13-14. BABE! Oakland, CA. Retail/Wholesale with credentials. Click here for a coupon for discounted admission.
* Nov. 26-28. Intergem San Mateo, CA. Wholesale Only
* Dec. 3-5. Intergem Santa Monica, CA. Wholesale Only.
For more details see our Trade Show Schedule.
Today I make my living from silver jewelry findings, which isn’t all that different from how I spent my time as a kid. Like many of us in the jewelry biz, I grew up playing with beads and enjoying various crafty pursuits. I fancied myself “artistic”, which made me a bit different than most of my peers and I liked the distinction. On my first trip to Bali as a teenager, I felt immediately at home in a culture where art is woven into daily life but I also realized that I am not particularly artistically gifted or skilled. Everywhere I looked, there were people, even young kids, creating beautiful art under the most rustic conditions. To the Balinese there was nothing exceptional about this activity. Every surface deserved an ornament, every occasion an ornate offering of flowers and palm fronds. I did not find this epiphany depressing. On the contrary, I took comfort in the realization that art belongs to everyone. No need to feel guilty, the more art the better! When I visit Bali today, I see the same drive to decorate everything. I love to watch people casually weaving baskets, making jewelry or building offerings while they chat and visit. Nothing special, just another beautiful day…………..
Bali is a land filled with sensory pleasures, as beautiful a place as you’ll ever find and full of inspiration for designing silver charms. From the sweet scent of the ylang ylang flowers, to the soothing sounds of Gamelon music, there is always something to appreciate. Inspiration is in the vibrant colors of the kingfisher birds, with their bright red beaks, deep indigo bodies and tails of brilliant turquoise; in the soft breeze caressing the tender sprouts in the rice fields; in the spicy sauces and fresh grilled fish; in the sing-song greetings and friendly giggles of the children.
Everywhere Nina and I go, we see something else to admire. “Oh, look at the curve of that lotus leaf!… Wouldn’t this frangipani flower make a great pendant? … Wow – can you believe the curls in this wood carving?… Look at how the dancer’s golden head dress quivers with each movement!…What do you think of the shape of the mandala on this offering?” Our creative wells have been filled to overflowing! Where do you look for inspiration?
Lotus blossoms along the rice terraces.
Tiny pebbles create a mosaic tree in the walkway.
Did you know that Nina Designs sells jewelry supplies at almost 20 tradeshows a year? About five of these tradeshows are retail and open to the public, and the rest are wholesale, requiring a resale license to attend. We are often asked, “Why shop at a tradeshow when I can order from your website?”
Our reply is that nothing beats seeing our items in person! Artists are sensory – we like to see and touch our materials. To be able to pick up our mermaid pendant, to feel its heft and admire the intricate details on both the front and back; to unhook the safety catch on a box clasp, open and close it and hear the satisfying “click” when it snaps securely shut; to try on a stack of bangle bracelets and decide that four is the perfect number for a fulfilling cluster; to admire the intricate lines and painterly details in the gold batik pendants; these are just a few of the reasons to visit our tradeshow booth.
Additionally, the variety of different styles and items visible on our table often sparks new ideas and fresh combinations for your jewelry creations. This type of inspiration from juxtaposition is a unique aspect of the tradeshow layout.
Pricing and discounts at tradeshows are the same as on our website. However, at tradeshows, we have no order minimum, so it’s a good way to sample just three or four things for your next collection.
If that’s not enough, come to our shows to talk with our helpful and knowledgeable staff! Our tradeshow manager, Clara, is happy to make suggestions and brainstorm solutions to your design challenges (when she’s not too busy invoicing orders, of course). Come to our next tradeshow and introduce yourself – we love meeting our customers in person!
Juanita brainstorming at our Tucson show.
These fabulous earrings are an example of inspiration by juxtaposition. Yolanda made them during a slow tradeshow moment.
I have been to more than a hundred beadshows as the tradeshow manager at Nina Designs and I have collected amazing jewelry findings and beads in my travels. The ladies in the office always ask me where and how I find my goodies, so I have decided to share some tips to finding unexpected delights.
- Scan every booth as you walk up and down the aisles. There are hundreds of new products at every show, so give each booth a good look before passing it by. Ask the vendors about new products or which products have been popular. Nina Designs isn’t the only company that realizes having new designs is important to customers who want to stay on top of the trends.
- Ask vendors for their recommendations. If you like their product, it probably means you trust their taste. I am always happy to recommend my favorite vendors.
- As you scan the booths, also pay attention to your experiences with the vendors. I prefer to develop relationships with vendors who are friendly and knowledgeable about their products. Having a relationship with your vendors can be really beneficial. Not only will they be helpful and courteous, but they will listen to your suggestions, bring special products just for you, and possibly even give you better discounts – this is especially true if you are buying stones.
An Awesome Street Vendor in Tucson
(more…)
Unique treasures, inspirational silver pendants and relationship building marked this year’s Tucson trade show. Every year we look forward to Tucson as a place rich with inspiration and opportunities to swap all things jewelry and we are never disappointed. We come home brimming with fresh creative energy and all kinds of ideas to implement throughout the year.
A tattoo of P22 on a dedicated beadaholic
One of the highlights of Tucson is the opportunity to meet our customers in person and put a face to a voice. We have the chance to brainstorm and collaborate with our friends and customers, to suggest new styles to compliment existing collections, and to admire the beautiful jewelry made with our components.
This year we had a special treat: a tattoo of our P22 pendant! With tattoos that celebrate and honor her creative and artistic journey, Kriss added this one after purchasing the pendant more than 12 years ago. This tattoo definitely raises the bar in our beadaholic circle!
Thanks to everyone that dropped by our Tucson booth to say hello. We are blessed with the best customers ever! Your positive feedback and continued support is truly appreciated.
Shopping for silver beads and gemstones in Tucson is an experience like no other and it helps to be prepared. This will be my 7th trip to Tucson and after years of learning the hard way, I have compiled some tips to make your trip more productive and fun.
- I highly recommend you check out my earlier blog post titled Bead Show Survival Guide. Make sure you pay special attention to tips # 1, 3, and 5. Having your documents in order, your feet cozy and your energy levels stable will definitely make your shopping days more pleasant.
- Plan for all kinds of weather in Tucson. It is usually chilly, but there often are days with full sun and days that are blustery and rainy. Pack an umbrella, a waterproof tote, and a raincoat.
- You will need good shoes. I cannot emphasize this enough. I have ruined at least 3 pairs over the years walking through muddy gravel to get from the parking lots to the main entrance of the shows. If your weatherproof shoes aren’t very comfy, bring an extra pair to change into once you get inside.
We Love Dansko Shoes
(more…)
It is time to get ready for the busy fall and holiday seasons by stocking up on jewelry supplies at your local bead show. Since I spend about a third of my year at bead shows I thought I would put together a survival guide to help you navigate your way through those long hard shopping days.
1. Wear comfy shoes – the floors are usually cement and being on your feet all day is hard. I like to have a second pair with me to change into half way through the day, or for your ride home. You would be surprised at how much this helps.
2. Layer your clothes. It can start out chilly in the morning, but by the time the afternoon rolls around and the lights have been on all day, most busy shoppers are breaking a sweat.
3. Food and water – Show food is terrible. Sure a hot dog will seem like a good idea when you have been shopping for 5 hours, but if you just plan ahead and bring a sandwich, some nuts and dried fruit, and a bottle of water, you will be much happier. I always go to the grocery store in the morning to stock up on pre-made sandwiches and snacks and plenty of water.
Nina Designs in Tucson 2008
To read the rest of our handy bead shopping tips, click below.
(more…)
Inspired by miniature hedgehog figurines unearthed from Egyptian tombs, these new hedgehog silver charms are adorable! This past fall, Nina and I were at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Many years ago when Nina was just starting her jewelry findings company, she would go to the Met and sketch clasps on display from ancient Greece and Rome. These sketches were the inspiration the Balinese silversmiths used to make some of the first clasps in the Nina Designs collection.
On our recent visit, it was the tiny Egyptian hedgehog figurines that captured my fancy. Further research reveals that in Egyptian mythology, hedgehogs were protective talismans as they attacked “bad” animals such as snakes. They could survive in the desert, lending them further protective qualities.
In Celtic lore, the hedgehog is a symbol of rejuvenation and spring. When the hedgehog is happy and safe, its needles are relaxed. When frightened, the animal turns into a prickly ball, teaching us to be less defensive in order to enjoy and appreciate life more.
These little hedgehogs are darling and will be available towards the end of September.
When relaxed, the hedgehog is soft and touchable.
So adorable, these little hedgehog charms will be available in late September.
Our Silver Charms are intrepid travelers, exploring the great unknown with a true spirit of adventure. Follow along as our Lion Silver Charm cuts a path through dense bamboo, our Turtle Silver Charm hitches a ride on a monster tortoise and our Koi Silver Charms skim across a lily pond.There are other images from my trip to Bali that I hope to translate into silver someday: the graceful herons, the large comedic toads and my favorties, gaggles of quacking ducks that forage in the rice fields. It isn’t hard to find inspiration in such a beautiful place! Where do you find your inspiration?