The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree by Gerry Hackney

So many crafts, so little time.  I am a craftaholic.  I inherited the crafting gene from my sweet mother.  Mom was always making something – she crocheted very intricate doilies, sewed quilts and bedspreads, and yes, she even crocheted those beer can hats.  On the weekends, the neighborhood ladies would come over to our house visit, drink coffee, and have crafting sessions.

 

The Vegas National Fabric Show

When the International Textile Show, ITE decided to no longer have a trade show in Las Vegas,  Alan Zinck asked Nancy Riniger, one of his executives to check into venues to hold a fabric similar type of show.   Alan Zinck, owner of Zincks of Berlin, a fabric wholesaler and outlet in Berlin, Ohio and other fabric jobbers still felt a need for a fabric and trim show in Las Vegas.  Nancy checked several hotel properties and the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino and its sister property, The Orleans Hotel and Casino were selected for the venues.

Through Nancy’s efforts, The Vegas National Fabric Show, VNFS held its first show in March 2016.   This show is held twice a year, March and August.  The March show is held at the Gold Coast Hotel and the August show at The Orleans.  Both are easily accessible, have free parking and exhibitors and attendees avoid the congestion of being on the Strip. 

 

Vendors come from different parts of the country.  New York, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina, Missouri, and Ohio are all represented. 

There is a wide variety of products shown.  Fabrics run the gamut.  Imported mud cloths from Ghana, African tribal fabrics, woven textiles from India, tanned leather, gorgeous home decorator fabrics for drapes, upholstery, and pillows, indoor outdoor treated fabric and more.  Brands like Michael Miller, Waverly, Robert Allan were shown.  Apparel fabric included denims, velvets, cottons, knits, flannels, voile, gauze and blends.  Fabrics for crafting were also displayed – minky fabric, burlap, and quilting fabric.  Buttons, laces, fringe trim, appliques, tassels, gimp trim and the list goes on.   Although it is a smaller show, the fabrics and products displayed were overwhelming.   

Discount Beads

Discount Beads, at 4266 S. Durango Blvd. Ste. GHJ,  is  the largest bead store in Nevada.   It is over 6,000 square feet stocked with an extensive  inventory of semi-precious beads,  over 1,000 sizes and styles of Swarovski crystals,  (best prices in town too!) coral, shells, pearls, seed, and wood beads.  They also offer cabochons,  geodes, druzys.

Ernie Staley and Dave Cray opened Discount Beads in 2004.  They have been friends for over 40 years. Both   Ernie and Dave worked for Sears Roebuck and  it  just so happened, they retired at the same time.  Thing was, Ernie and Dave were not ready to just stay at home and watch re-runs of TV sitcoms. 

Instead, they opened up their own shops at the Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet on Decatur Blvd.  Ernie specialized in sea shells, corals and crafts from the Philippines.  Dave’s passion was  rocks and minerals.  They had adjoining  booths so they appeared to have one large shop.