MARIETTA, GA — The Dixie Classic Intergalactic Bead Festival will take place 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14.  Forty-two vendors from thirteen states will show and sell their wares of ancient to modern beads, bead books, beading supplies and finished beads, at the North Georgia Fairgrounds - Jim R. Miller Park - 2245 Callaway Rd. SW Marietta, GA.  From I-75 Exit 260, west on Windy Hill Road, south on Austell Road, then west on Callaway Road.  An interesting mix of history and art, this bead extravaganza will feature over one hundred tables representing the country’s finest bead vendors.

What a treat it will be for festival attendees to be able to rub elbows with the National Bead Society’s Glass Beadmakers of the Year for the past two years – They are as follows: 2003 honorary Lea Zinke, Jewelz of Clearwater, Floprida and the just announced honorary for 2004, Beth Olson, Olson Glass, Kissimmee, Florida.  While each artist has a unique style and method of making her beads, the basic underlying technique and age-old tradition of their craft remains the same.  Zinke specializes in garden floral beads and Olson in her amazing use of sculpture and creature forms.  Each of these women has made a name for her self in the glass beadmaking world.

Visitors to this weekend’s festival are sure to find something to delight them from the beads ranging from historical to modern, handcrafted to mass produced, natural materials to the newest in synthetic technology.  Along with beads and bead-making supplies there will be numerous finished pieces to choose from including beaded bracelets, pendants, necklaces and earrings. The various artists, vendors and collectors brought together by The Dixie Classic Intergalactic Bead Festival will be bringing Atlanta the best selection of beads in the galaxy. Let the creativity begin!