Swarovski Party...

After I got out of the Best Bead Show, Katie Wall of Fusion Beads picked me up to head out to the VIP Swarovski Party. I had been a semi-finalist in their compeitition and wanted to check out who the prize winners were. They implimented a strict guest list this year, so I was very fortunate to be able to attend.

Above: On the way to the Swarovski party we encountered a traffic jam, but it was so beautiful that almost no one minded too much. We joked around about getting lost in the desert and having coyotes chew on our bones.

Left: Katie Wall, Liz, and Lindsay of Fusion Beads pose with one of this year's finalists at the champagne VIP pre-party.

Right: Liz and I were holding on for dear life on the back of a gulf-cart as it quickly shuttled us to the party tent. Although a short ride, it was bumpy one.

Left: Lindsay, Katie Wall, Jamie Hogsett of Stringing and Beadwork, Danielle Fox (also of Stringing and Beadwork), Leslie Rogalski editor-in-chief of Step by Step Beads, and Liz pose for a picture in the very blue party tent.

Right: Katie Wall and Lindsay break out the moves on the dance floor. In the back on the left was one the Helby Reps who had dance fever.

Left: Heather Wynn, after much delay (having her flight plans shuttled around like a deck of cards), finally made it! Here she is with her mom, Pam.

Right: Lisa Niven Kelly busts a move with soon-to-be mommy, Lindsay. I met Lisa Nevin Kelly last year at Bead & Button in Milwaukee. She's hillarious! Lisa also teaches online beading courses called, Beaducation.

Swarovski generously extended the party in the tent by another hour and then had an after party in the Omni Tucson National Golf Resort and Spa's bar and grill called Legends. I got to meet some of the higher-ups at Swarovski and Liz and I feasted on a tasty sampler platter. It was a long night, but a lot of fun!