Melbourne Bead Expo

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Time to get creative! The 2009 showcases all that's bright and beautiful in beads and jewellery from Friday the 6th to Sunday the 8th of November.

At the annual event, run by the Bead Society of Victoria and held for the first time at the Camberwell Centre, a record number of exhibitors from across the country will gather, offering up a diverse range of exquisite beads and gems, tools, finished products and, of course, plenty of wisdom about their art.

Browse, admire, buy or, better still, book yourself into any one of 17 workshops (subject to available spaces) to create your own work of wearable art. Don't worry if you've not done it before. The beginners' classes cater just for you.

This year sees special international guest, Laura McCabe, offer five classes. This renowned American bead weaver creates elaborate body adornment items combining Native American, African Zulu and Victoria bead weaving techniques. Take a look at some of these amazing masterpieces here.

If they push your buttons (or beads), check out Laura's website here.

Feeling daunted? Don't. I spent hours making beaded jewellery with my daughter when she was a kid, and we made a couple of very simple stunners we were mighty proud of. No fuss, no stress and a whole lot of fun.

There are plenty of interesting things happening at the expo, including displays and the Bead Challenge, in which each entrant is given a set of beads to create a design of their own – and must use every single bead in the pack. I wonder how many there are.

Beadwork, which is believed to have started in civilisations dating back 5,000 years, is becoming an increasingly proper artform for all ages. Come along and see what all the fuss is about and, of course, do give it a go.

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