How to Survive the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Bead and Button Show, held annually in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the largest bead show in the world! I am so lucky to live in the same town as this spectacular event! People come from all over the globe to attend the show - to sell their wares, attend classes and to purchase more beads to add to their stash.

If you've never been to the show before and are attending for the first time - be prepared to be in awe, and possibly even a little overwhelmed. You've never seen this many beads in one place at one time before, I guarantee it. It can almost be sensory overload if you're not prepared. So if it seems a little overwhelming, take a deep breath and relax. You are in for a wonderful day of shopping....you can get through it!

As any beader knows, beading is very addictive, and it can also be rather expensive. As soon as you start buying beads you want more and more and more! The Bead and Button Show is an excellent venue to find great deals on beading and jewelry supplies. It can also be very exhausting to attend, to both your body and your wallet! Here are some of my suggestions if you plan on attending this event.

Before you Go

#1 - Get the coupon!

To save a few dollars on admission, check the Bead and Button Show website - they usually have a coupon for $2 off.

#2 - Take a bag to carry your purchases

It's smart to take along a bag of some sort that is easy to carry and roomy enough to hold your purchases. You'll be given all sorts of different sizes of bags with your new-found treasures, and they'll be hard to carry individually. It's also a great place to put a bottle of water, which is handy to have with you as you walk the exhibit hall.

#3 - Take only what you need

It's going to be a long day and after a while a full purse weighing you down is going to get very heavy on your neck, shoulders and back. So leave that heavy purse at home. Take what you need out of your purse and put it all in your carry-all bag.

#4 - Don't take all of your bead money with you unless you plan to spend it all

If you're on a budget it's a good idea to take only that allotted amount with you. Leave your credit cards at home to avoid the temptation of overspending. If you do take credit cards along, I've found that most vendors do not accept American Express.

#5 - Dress Appropriately

This event is held in summer. Summer in Milwaukee can be hot, humid, cool, dry, you name it! But since you'll be in an air-conditioned building, you may want to have something with sleeves if you get cool. And by all means, wear comfortable shoes. I see women wearing high-heels or flip-flops and wonder how their feet survive standing and walking all day. I do like to dress fashionably, but since I know my feet will be sore by the end of the day, I will break down and wear tennis shoes when I attend this show, and my feet thank me for it.

Tips on Time

#1 - When to get there

Get there shortly after it opens. If you are there early be prepared to stand in line for a while as you wait for them to open the doors and the long line to snake its way through. If you get there about a half hour AFTER it opens you could save some of that wait time.

#2 - How much time you should expect to spend there

According to their website, there will be over 370 vendors at the show in 2010. This is why it takes us over 7 hours to get through the show! If you are going to the show for the first time, you may want to take your time and see every vendor there. I don't blame you! That's what we did the first year. I know what I'm looking for in particular - namely, great deals on semi-precious strands, freshwater pearls, glass beads and pewter spacers. Since I've gone before, I've learned where to look for these items and know that I'm getting a great price.

#3 - Pace Yourself, and don't spend more time in a booth than necessary

This seems like obvious advice, but it bears mentioning. The first few aisles of the show floor, and a lot of the vendors on the outer walls of the exhibit hall, are bead artists. Their beads are amazingly beautiful, intricate, gorgeous works of art. They're also usually pricey. We look at them, but since we know that we're not likely to buy them, we try not to spend too much time in these booths. They're definitely worth a look, but if you're not going to spend your money on them, try not to waste too much time there - which is very easy to do because you can't help but want to stare at these shiny, colorful objects of art and speak to the artists who made them.

It's also very easy to waste a lot of time digging through mounds of beads or buckets at one vendor. Before you know it a half hour has gone by and you're still in the same booth. I'm sure the vendor loves you for this! But if you do it too often later on in the day you'll find yourself rushing through other booths to get through the marketplace before it closes up. (And it actually IS possible to get sick of looking at beads when you're nearing the end and are tired from all the walking. I tend to breeze past some of the last vendors, and then I wonder what I may have missed.)

Managing Expenses

#1 - Be aware of prices

It's very easy to find strands of gemstones and pearls that you absolutely love at the first few vendors. If you find something that is in your price range and it's something you've just got to have and aren't sure if you'll go back to the vendor for it later, then buy it. However, the smart way to attend the show is to check out the floor first. You may buy something that you think is a good price, only to come across the same thing somewhere else for several dollars less. I've learned this about semi-precious strands and freshwater pearls. I'll admit I'm pretty frugal. And if I know I can find a better deal, I will hold out for that better deal. I know I can find semi-precious strands for $8 or less, and freshwater pearls for $5 or less so I'll pass on the others until I find the best deal. Most of us have a price in our heads that we are willing to pay for our favorite beads. You will definitely find bargains at the Bead Show - and if you don't want to go back later, buy the items you feel you are getting a great price on. If you do pass on something, there's a good chance you will come across another vendor with the same or similar item.

#2 - Take Notes

Make sure you pick up the show brochure so you can keep track of vendors you want to go back to when you're through. Also make note of things you found that were interesting but you were not sure about. Chances are you'll think about it during the day and wish you had picked it up, and if you made note of the vendor you'll be able to go back and get it. We've done the "oh, forget it, I don't remember where they are" thing before. And if you've avoided an impulse buy at the time, maybe you'll talk yourself out of it completely after you find other items you like better anyway.

Following these tips will help you manage your time and money effectively, and ensure that you will have a great day at the Bead and Button Show!