Bead Cruise 2014

I'm just back from the Bead Cruise, and I have to say that I had an amazing time!  I knew that I would enjoy meeting the other Bead Cruisers, taking classes, and having girl time with my friend Kathleen... what I didn't know was if I would like cruising itself.  Turns out I did!  We had a nice mix of classes and free time on the ship and there was never a dull moment.  

It's going to be hard to capture the experience for you all, but I'm going to try... and apologies in advance if this gets a little long winded!  Apologies also for the quality of my pictures.  I didn't bring my real camera, relying instead on my iPhone, and the results were mixed.  Lesson learned for next time I guess!

Here Kathleen and I are about to board the ship!  It's kind of cool (and a little weird) that they use these entry pics for facial recognition to group all of your other photos together under your cabin number.  

There was so much beady goodness in our gift bags!  A huge thanks to everyone who donated items!

My projects in process during Heather Power's "Petals & Leaves" class.  I learned some new hammering techniques as well as how to make those cute little peanut bead and wire links.  I also started my list of new tools that I want!

Projects in process during Tracy Stanley's Earrings class.  Those top ones are now one of my favorite everyday pairs!  (and after this class I REALLY want new hammers)

We spent part of our day in Nassau with the dolphins... and this is the dolphin kiss to prove it!  Next time I'd want to do the full swim instead of the "cuddle" but it was so much fun to get to hug, pet, and dance with our dolphin friend Clifton.

We were all working hard on our half-hitch knots in Erin Siegel's "Triple Row Macrame Bracelet" class.  I really enjoyed working with the waxed Irish linen and learning to make some new knots.

And this is how I finished my bracelet since I had to leave the clip board behind in class!  (Don't worry, I'm keeping this one for myself.)

The Bead Cruisers took over the 14th floor game room to work in the good light.  Here, Diana Ptaszynski (of Suburban Girl Studio fame) is photo bombing my picture of Terri Greenawalt hard at work.

New friends and old:  Diana, Kashmira, Sj (me!), and Kathleen.  I swiped this group pic from Diana since I didn't get one on my camera.

Last day of the Bead Cruise with Erin Siegel.

Remember that gift bag?  Well there is a design contest during the cruise to make a piece with at least three items from your gift bag.  This is my creation featuring a pendant from Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovoti, seahorse charm from Rings & Things, and beads from Rosanne Garvison of 2nd Hand Rose.  There's also one of Heather's beads in there too that I bought during the cruise.  At the farewell party on the last night everyone could vote for their favorites in three categories:  Show Favorite, Most Intense, and Simply Sweet.  I couldn't believe it, but I won for Simply Sweet!  I know I will have fun spending the awesome gift certificates I got for winning.  

Last night on the ship, here I am with two of my teachers Tracy and Heather.  Thanks for the great classes!

I had such a great time on this trip and have to give a special shout out to Heather Powers of Humblebeads who makes it all happen!  Everyone was so friendly and so much fun... I couldn't have asked for a better group of ladies.  And to get to share it all with a friend that I usually only get to see at library conferences made it all the more special.  I will definitely do this again when I can!

Here is the whole gang together for our group picture.

If you love beading and hanging out with a super fun group of like-minded folks while visiting tropical locations, I highly suggest you take a look at the Bead Cruise.  2015 will be the 10th year of the cruise (crazy, right?) and I'm betting it will be bigger and better than ever!  Details should be out on the website in late April I think... so check back.

In addition to my beading exploits, my husband tasked me with doing a roving blogger piece for his blogs on fruity cruise cocktails.  You can check out my report over on the JABlog HERE!

Now it's back to the real world for a few days before our next adventure starts.  Thanks for stopping by!