The word “bead” is from the Old English term for “prayer.” Using beads to summon protection and petition the supernatural is an ancient and universal practice, and even the most godless among us may unconsciously resonate with this as we drape ourselves with ropes of secular-seeming pearls and baubles.
But whether you know your Rosary inside-out, fidget away your worries with a classically Greek komboloi, or keep your Buddhist mala strand nearby for any meditation emergency, this coming weekend at the Pasadena Convention Center promises to be a bead-fancier’s paradise. With more than 300 vendors on the floor for all three days, the Pasadena Bead & Design Show is well worth a look. Whether you’re interested in crafting your own jewelry or simply wearing fabulous beads made from every imaginable material, of every imaginable provenance, from all corners of the earth, this is the place for you.
Beads are just the beginning. Let’s talk gladrags and handbags, too. The iconic Suzi Click, for example, designs, cuts and sews rare, rich-hippie-vibe tunics, blouses, coats, jackets and dresses from exotic luxury textiles, often vintage. Many of these are literally disappearing as young people tend to lose interest in producing traditional ethnic handcrafts.
This delayed shindig takes on a special poignancy. The bead extravaganza was originally slated for January, and we all know why that plan had to be scrapped. It’s a sort of uneasy coincidence that some of us who evacuated with our animals landed at the pet-friendly Hotel Dena, which is adjacent to the Convention Center, and spent several smoky mornings out on the plaza distributing water and diapers to fellow evacuees.
Casey Kennerson, Show Manager, says, “We hope the show brings both inspiration and economic support to local businesses and artisans, many of whom were deeply impacted by the wildfires. We invited Union Station Homeless Services to be part of the event because their work is essential in helping those affected to rebuild and find support.”
Mario Galeano, Vice President of Development for Union Station Homeless Services, adds, “At Union Station Homeless Services, we believe there’s nothing more urgent than helping people move from the streets into safe, stable housing. Every day, we’re working to rehouse individuals and families in our community—not just with shelter, but with permanent, supportive solutions that change lives. We’re grateful to be part of this event that brings together artists and makers, because community is key to this work. When people come together, incredible things can happen.”
And—candy! The spring Show introduces two new confectionery vendors, Chocolate Moonshine and Blue Canary Sweets, vital to the show since it takes energy to forage the aisles for treasure.
Some of the vendors have adjusted their retail attacks in light of the last couple of months. Jerey Ojeah, Creatrix of luxurious, US-made Baltimore Bag Company, says, “With all that has transpired since January, we are very much looking forward to a new day. We are hoping for the best, that people come out and take part in this event. And view it as ‘California Strong,’ a resilient community that always bounces back.” Jerey says she’s focusing on affordable, smaller fine leather items this time around, versus larger, costlier duffels and totes.
Our collective loss seems to produce one of two responses. The first: go Zen. Some people who have lost their homes and possessions to the flames or to the ashes and their aftermath adopt an air of Spartan, stoic minimalism. These folks may vow to stay stripped down, with nothing but clean, uncluttered surfaces, roomy rooms, and airy closets with little-to-nothing in them. Others are replacement rebounders, setting about to recreate all that has been lost, perhaps to glorious excess.
Designer Suzi Click would probably fall into the latter category. Featured in Ari Seth Cohen’s groundbreaking photo essay of elegant elder women, Advanced Style, and appearing with her husband in Cohen’s book entitled Advanced Love, she says with a soft Texas twang, “I am the ultimate optimist,” I’m a glass-half-full person, always have been. And wearing something bright and beautiful, well, it’s not just good for you, the wearer. It’s good for the people around you. Color, and making the effort to put your look together, elevates everybody’s general mood. People come up to me all the time, people I’ve never met, and they say ‘I just love what you’re wearing, and you just made my day.’”
Since getting her first sewing machine in eighth grade, Click has dressed to express every day. And after decades in the designer denim dynasty, including a prestigious stint with Levi-Strauss, today she’s at home in velvet, folkloric embroideries, and hand-embellished textiles gathered on her travels through India, Indonesia, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, Mexico, Morocco and Vietnam. She especially loves combining patterns and fabrics from differing parts of the world into a single garment for a truly globe-tripping, electrifying effect. Purple and turquoise are her favorite colors, often worn together.
Click adds, “One of the other ladies photographed for ‘Advanced Style’ says, ‘Don’t wear beige—it’ll kill you.’ Well, I don’t intend to find out.”
DEETS
- Pasadena Bead & Design Show
- https://www.beadanddesign.com/
- March 28 – 30, 2025
- Friday, Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Pasadena Convention Center
- 300 East Green Street
- Pasadena 91101
- Parking entrances on Euclid Avenue and Marengo Avenue between Green and Cordova Streets
- For the most direct route, use this address for GPS: 175 South Euclid Avenue.
- Take the elevator from the Hotel Dena for the easiest access
- Buy tickets here
Awesone and on point!