I thought I had seen everything in Santa Fe until last weekend.

Living an hour or so away from Santa Fe and frequently making visits, having walked the usual steps around and about town (as tourists often do), I found myself alongside Hannah and our friend Jeannette Cook of Beady Eyed Women in the middle of my first bead show. The shear number of tiny handmade items from the farthest reaches of the country and abroad made me feel like a cross between a kid in a candy store and a bull in a china shop.

Every color of the spectrum caromed across my eyes the like of which I had not seen since studying painting and I couldn't help but think if only hearing some Hendrix or Bob Marley in the mix wouldn't turn this gathering up into an all out wind ding. While there was the notion of being the new face at a family reunion, it was unexpectedly like joining a band of rogue gypsies. The hugs were plenty and the smiles all around which made me feel rightly welcome as a newcomer as I watched artists catching up with one another from as far away as California with those from Africa, and Louisiana with others from Hawai'i.

I wouldn't have thought that I would have as much fun in a convention center without a beer garden as I had at the Santa Fe Bead Expo. As with the incessant reminders of the economy and many of us with a budget foremost in our minds, it all seemed to dissolve away as a jovial spirit prevailed over the more common business as usual mentality a lot of these functions exude. It made for an altogether more pleasant affair leaving a taste in my mouth that wanted more.

As always, it is the little things hinting to us to return to that innate understanding that living and enjoying life is what we really require in our brief lives together that round of this weekend. There were always the invitations to investigate the other booths around the show, the insistence to meet this person or that from wherever in the world, the suggestion to wrap things up with a glass of wine or a beer and laugh away the business of another day. Even though the idea of not starving my wallet by the close of the show was my intention, with must haves made of glass and other mediums and a good time had by all in company, my empty pockets proved surly money well spent.

I'm hooked. I can't wait for the next chance for this needed change of pace to come around again and soon.

-David

 

 

 

 

 

Good River Gallery
Taos, NM
GoodRiverGallery@aol.com