I have just returned from the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, WI. Among the 430 vendors were individual artists, designers, importers and overseas manufacturers. Quite a variety of beads and supplies are to be found at the B&B Show. For a beader, it is the king of bead shows. I came home with a few purchases and a lot of inspiration.

Some beading and jewelry-making trends I have been following this year were clearly shown there. Beading has always been a global marketplace, and this year, beads from many cultures are rising in popularity. Bone, horn, antler, wood, metals and more were visible and available. In the photo, you see beads made from ancient Roman glass.

Another current interest for beaders is vintage materials. Here you see some vintage metal buttons with enamel coloring. One of the most interesting things at the show was the amount of vintage Lucite beads. The beads in these photos are plastic, and they are being combined with new beads and metals.

A trend that we are all seeing in every marketplace is recycling and reusing. I saw a few things that would fit into that trend, including these charms that are made on bottle caps. Are you interested in any of these trends for jewelry you would make for yourself or for gifts?

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