On Monday, I arrived home after a week of fun on the 2016
bead cruise, hosted by Heather Powers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzMy_TK99MSQp0_Hv1KEQXmaRsDvGIrO2NzpAlJcWlAKlL8iZKVqyEzHez7Lg0ZMpNp-A_gTLblE9DKExzwVKBZAjZE0qlaIqYdkwpvI7N-vm2GKwCovVvMgPSoltFdrBU3tHzswZ7vnV/s640/Cruise+ships+in+port.jpg) |
Cruise ships in port in St. Maarten |
This was my third time attending and this year my husband, Colin came along with me. He also took all three of
Heather Power's polymer classes!
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Coco Cay |
Day 1 was boarding the ship and the welcome party at night. Day 2 was our stop in Coco Cay in the Bahamas. This was a nice, restful beach day. I explored and found conch shells, sea urchins and lots of little fish.
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Tango by Beki Haley |
Day 3 was our half-day classes. I chose Tango by
Beki Haley. I struggled with right angle weave at first but Beki is a great teacher and got me on the right track. I haven't finished the pendant yet but I'm pretty sure I will get this one done! We also had part 1 of Heather's Van Gogh Sunflowers workshop in the afternoon (more on that below).
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St. Thomas |
Day 4 was spent in St. Thomas. Colin and I were originally going to spend the day at Coki Beach but we caught colds on the airplane and didn't feel up to it. We decided to take a bus tour of the island instead. We got to experience some fabulous views, go shopping and I still got to dip my feet in the turquoise water at Coki Beach.
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St. Maarten
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Day 5 we docked in St. Maarten. We walked towards town, found a small local art gallery and then shopped some more. We lasted a couple hours before the heat got to us and we returned to the ship. After a shower, we spent several hours enjoying the view from the lounge on the ship. Also, food. There was lots of eating involved...it's a cruise afterall!
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Van Gogh Sunflowers Class |
Day 6 was the second part of Heather's Van Gogh Sunflowers class. This class involved the most intricate polymer canework I've ever done. It was a bit frustrating for me but it makes me appreciate Heather's work that much more. You can see a few of the beads Colin and I created in the lower, left hand photo.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWbpF8wpu6OiBZcMOXgDSieHltIegWTxPdrCeeH9t31VxYeSHb0vc9ZITPQbFdY1PUjoOedWLKx2aos130Vt8g4V9mAedwqsvG0uuXYKu91ZuPF7bYhpYpyoUBVbS7bzcuxm9rgqkmuTT/s640/Bon+bon+collage.jpg) |
Tropical Bon Bon class |
Day 7 was the final day and Colin and I signed up for an optional class. I had so much fun in Heather's Tropical Bon Bon class! I can see myself making more of these, including them as cabochons! We had some free time after class and then went to the farewell party.
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Misc. scenes from the trip |
On Sunday, we headed back to the hotel in Orlando and enjoyed the pool and some dinner with other cruisers who were flying home on Monday. It was a nice way to end the trip.
I just love everything about the bead cruise; the people, the workshops, the ports... I highly recommend you give the bead cruise a try! There are still a few spaces left for Bead Cruise 2017! Click
here for all the details and to register for the best bead vacation you will ever take! You won't regret it!
A big thanks to Heather, all the instructors, sponsors and fellow beaders who made 2016 a wonderful experience! I look forward to Bead Cruise 2017!
So sorry to have missed this year's cruise, but I'll be seeing you next year!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like so much fun. I wish I was there.
ReplyDeleteGreat recap of a wonderful week! So glad I got to attend this year 😃
ReplyDeleteSounds so wonderful & I think it is super cool that Colin participates too.
ReplyDeleteKristen Stevens, we should go next year! Pam Moore :-)
ReplyDelete