Last week I went on a little adventure. I had no idea what was in store for me. When I moved here to Greenville, SC, I was disappointed at the lack of bead stores in the area. I was used to the abundance we had in Seattle. Determined to find some beads, I went on line and made a list of stores in the area. At 10am. I set out driving around the area and checking high and low for some pretty beads!
After a few disappointing stops, I ended up at The Mercantile. They have a little bit of everything crafty. It was like a tiny upscale Michaels. Their beads were kept in an antique cabinet with drawers marked with colors. They had a lot of bead making supplies, but not the selection I was looking for. The ladies that worked there were so helpful and sweet. They assured me they could find whatever I was looking for.
As I stood at the counter chatting, I saw out of the corner of my eye, the most amazing bead I had ever seen. A pretty petite lady stood there with a small box of beads. As I looked closer my eyes widened. I couldn’t believe how beautiful these beads were. She told me that she had crafted them herself and they were lampworks beads. Now, I have seen lampworks beads before, and they looked nothing like these. The beads I had seen were mass produced and always seemed uninspiring to me. In high contrast, these beads were so original, and the colors were amazing.
I couldn’t believe my luck when she invited me over to see the rest of her art. I jumped at the chance, finished my purchase at the Mercantile and headed over to her home. To make a long story short, she is nothing short of a genius at bead making. (And her latte skills are pretty amazing too) We sat for hours talking about beads, and crafting, and just about everything else under the sun. It was so much fun. It wasn’t long before I realized she would be more than a bead supplier, she was fast becoming a good friend.
I didn’t end up making it to any of the other bead stores on my list, but it didn’t matter. I found more then what I was looking for, and am honored and excited to have met someone so kind and willing to open their home and crafts to a stranger from across the country. I don’t know how many of you have moved far away from the only home you have ever known. It’s much harder than I thought. My chance meeting at the Mercantile was such a blessing for me.
I am so glad I met you Kathy! You truly are my first REAL friend in South Carolina and so much more. Hugs for you!!! Talk to you soon!
