Iowa Bead Society

ATTENTION: BEAD SOCIETY MEETING FOR FEBRUARY HAS BEEN CHANGED!!!

2012-01-30T06:21:00.000-06:00

Because the community center is closed for Presidents day, we are meeting on the 2nd Tuesday, February 13th. Karla will be teaching us how to make paper beads. We will have more details about what you need to bring after she learns this process.

Also it is time to pay dues, so if you want to be a member for another year, bring your $20.00 to the meeting.

We also have the official dates for bead camp - March 16th & 17th. We will be updating the page soon.

Bead Society Meeting - January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T12:22:00.000-06:00

Tonights meeting snuck up on us. Hopefully everyone will be able to join us. We will be discussing this years Bead Camp - Mark your calenders for March 16th & 17th.

Also are bead challenge for this quarter is brown, so bring your brown project and get beading.

Happy Beading,
Anne

Bead Society Meeting - November 21, 2011

2011-11-22T16:40:00.000-06:00

This was a planning meeting.
Bead Camp - We are starting to plan for Bead Camp 2011. The camp that we hosted in 2010 was a lot of fun and we are hoping that word of mouth will make 2011 even better. We will be changing a few things but the overall experience will be the same. This is an opportunity to take some classes for free and we try to have something for every type of jewelry artist. We host this in March and will post more information as it becomes available.
Color Challenges - In the past, we had color challenges to encourage our members to explore color. We will be starting this again with the new year with a few changes. The Bead Color Challenge will be "Brown" and will need to be completed by the March meeting. This will give us more time to prepare. We ask that you create something new within the time frame. Alternatively, you can choose to make something for the state fair from 1 of the 5 catogories that are available: 382 -Beadwork, handmade beads/pendants, 383 - Beadwork, needle constucted jewelry, 384 - Beadwork - non jewelry, 385 - Beadwork, stringing and 386 - Metal/Wirework. We understand that the state fair may not be something that you would like to do but you could make something from these catagories.

Bead Society Christmas Party

2011-11-22T16:30:00.000-06:00

Myrna will be hosting our annual Christmas party at her home again. This is a potluck, so please bring something to share. We have an optional gift exchange. ($5.00 limit). This is a great opportunity to visit with bead society members and have a wonderful meal.

Date: December 19th, 2011
Time: 6:00 - 8:00

May Bead Society Meeting

2011-04-25T20:27:00.003-05:00

Hey there all! Wow! Bead♥Camp was a BLAST!!!! We're already looking forward to next year! Hopefully we'll get some pics sent to us so I can get some posted here!!!

Anywho...if you feel like you've missed out (or if you missed us) come to the May Meeting! (Please note the location change!!!)

Date: May 16th
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: ARTISTIC BEAD (Thanks Cheryl!!!)

Here's what we're going to be doing:
Anne will be teaching us to make an adjustable beaded cord, using a peyote stitch.

Anne will be providing all the materials, however, if you would like to bring your own colors, here are the supplies needed:

1 yd. of cord (satin rattail will be used in the project, but nay time of cord will work)
small amount of size 8 seed beads

Remember, Anne will have those available so you don't have to bring those... but PLEASE bring the following:

a needle
a bead mat

Hope to see you there!!!
=] Julie

Bead♥Camp - What to Pack!?!?!?!?!

2011-03-22T17:41:00.000-05:00

I'm sooo excited! This weekend is the first (hopefully annual) Bead♥Camp! I keep looking at all my beads and wondering which ones I could take. I'd love to take them all!!! Realistically, though, I don't think bringing Two Men and a Truck to unpack and repack my stuff for a weekend would be very cost effective...hehehehe, in my dreams! I wish I had that many beads!

So, we talked about "smart packing" at the Iowa Bead Society meeting last night. Here are a few great tips for packing for Bead♥Camp:

Beads anything and everything you want to play with or need inspiration for!

Tools and Findings (I always seem to forget something - usually crimp tubes) Make a special effort to double check that you have all the tools and findings you'll need for the weekend. Unlike the airports, we welcome tools at Bead♥Camp!
Unfinished Projects - That's right! This is the perfect time to finish those projects you needed just a little bit of beading time for! For all of you (maybe me) hard-core beaders that want to bead straight through the night - this is your chance to do it! I'll even bribe the hotel to keep coffee brewing all night long if you need it to keep you going!
Beads I think I'll bring some beads that have been calling out to me, and see what it is they wanted to say!
Stuck-On Projects - speaking of those projects that are unfinished, how about the ones that you want to finish, but are stuck on? With a room full of beading fanatics you're sure to find someone, (or two, or three) who can help you past that difficult part in your project. Pick the brains of all the experience in the room and I'm sure all of our UGHS! will turn into AHHHHS!!!!
Trade-In Beads... how about it? Have one or two left over beads? Some you bought and are now thinking, why in the heck did I buy those???? Bring them this weekend and see if you can swap with others for something they don't need anymore! Who knows, you may just find that "one last bead" you needed to re-make that pair of earrings you lost one of! hehehehe...haven't we all done that?
Beads bring items that you can use for the classes your interested in - and bring extras! You may just want to make more once you get back to your table!
Camera - why not get some great pics to remember this weekend? Maybe you'll get a shot of me sleeping and drooling on my bead mat? That would be a classic one to post on the blog next week! LOL (note to self: bring some extra energy!!!! hehehehe)
Comfy Clothes - this is a MUST - we're going to get some down right serious beading done! I think I might just live in my PJ's all weekend! And don't forget the fuzzy slippers!
Bathing Suit Yes, if you need to take a break and stretch out from all that beading, there will be a heated indoor pool to help you relax!!! They also have a lending library - but I don't think we'll have much time for reading - unless its the latest issue of Step-by-Step Wire I just got in the mail!!! SWEET
and finally Beads! Bring 'em! That's what this weekend is all about! Give yourself a chance to indulge in our favorite hobby! Beading! Join us in beading - show off some of your favorite pieces and make new ones to impress your friends and family!

There really isn't anything like beading with a bunch a other beaders! I think the creativity flows and inspiration fills the air! I'm so looking forward to this! Is it Friday Yet?????

See ya soon!!!
Julie

Bead♥Camp

2011-01-25T11:20:00.000-06:00

Hey Beaders...
Just wanted to direct your attention to the top of the page! ↑↑↑ We have a new category - Bead♥Camp!!! We're so excited to try this new idea! Hopefully you're just as excited as we are! Click on the tab to find out more about Bead♥Camp. Check back, as more classes will be added as we get them in!
Happy Beading!

Treasures Bead Expo

2010-10-08T10:04:00.000-05:00

Treasures - Des Moines Bead Expo
New Location
Iowa State Fairgrounds * Varied Industries Building
South Entrance - Upper Level

Friday Oct 15 4-8 pm
Saturday Oct 16 10 am to 4 pm

$3. at the door.

Many new vendors and all your old favorites!

Iowa State Fair

2010-08-27T11:47:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to our talented members that won ribbons at the fair. I hope everyone was able to stop out and see them.

Handmade Beads/Pendants

2) Karla Klein, Des Moines

Needle Constructed Jewelry

2) Pilar Burg, Urbandale

Non Jewelry

2) Pilar Burg, Urbandale

Stringing

2) Anne Clodi, Madrid

3) Pilar Burg, Urbandale

Metal Work

2) Karla Klein, Des Moines

Congratulations to you!

Iowa State Fair

2010-06-29T16:03:00.000-05:00

Iowa Bead Society sponsored categories in Creative Arts

395 - Beadwork, handmade beads and pendants
396 - Beadwork, needle constructed jewelry
397 - Beadwork, non jewelry
398 - Beadwork, stringing
399 - Metal and wirework

Calendar of Events

2010-05-21T10:47:00.001-05:00

Our meetings are held the third Monday of every month at 6:30 in the Valley Junction Community Center unless otherwise stated.

July 19 - Picnic! We will meet at the south end of Valley Junction in the railroad park. Bring a dish to share. Chocolate is always greatly appreciated. :)
Challenge is to bead "Fireworks!" Think outside the box. Can't wait to see what you do.

August 16 - Kumihumo taught by Karla and Myrna. Hard to pronounce but fun to do!
Challenge is to bead "Summer Sizzle!"

September 20 - Soldering techniques by Fishlips himself, Dennis Victor
Challenge is to bead "Back to School!"

October 18 - TBA
Challenge is to bead "Halloween"

November 22 - TBA
Challenge is to bead "Autumn Leaves"

December 20 - Christmas party. Details to follow.
Challenge is to bead "A Christmas Carol"

New Officers Elected

2010-05-21T10:34:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the new officers elected during our May meeting! Hats off to:
Anne Clodi - President
Karla Klein - Vice President
Myrna Fligg - Secretary
Julie Hyland - Treasurer

Please join me in welcoming these hard working ladies to a fun-filled beady year. We have already planned many cool things for the upcoming summer. There are a few slots left so let us know if you have a great idea for a program or activity.

In other news, Lorna Holland (that's me!) will be doing her upmost to post any and all bead-related information in this spot. Email me: lorna@iowabeadsociety.com.

Iowa Bead Society Jewelry Sale Success!

2010-05-11T14:32:00.000-05:00

What a great time! The show was a success - and we currently have plans on holding another sale later in the year. Here are some pics of our sale!!!!

Iowa Bead Society Jewelry Sale

2010-04-27T12:54:00.000-05:00

Happy Mothers Day!!!! Very soon those words will be spoken all around the country! What a great day, to appreciate our mothers, who very often go without thanks! Another great idea??? Stop by and get a piece of handmade jewelry for Mom! Support local artists:

May 8th
11 am - 4 pm
The Living Room (117 5th St - Valley Junction)

Come find that special something you wont find anywhere else!!!

Mark your Calendars!!!

2010-04-20T17:01:00.000-05:00

Hey Guy and Gals!!! ;)

Here is a list of up and coming events:

ON May 8th: Member Jewelry Sale @ The Living Room (Valley Junction) Come buy Mom some AWESOME Jewelry for Mothers Day!

@ the May meeting: Election of Officers!!!
Make and Take a pair of POST earrings!!! (I'm teaching!)

@ the June meeting: Bead & Button Show and Tell!!! (I'll be soooo jealous - I'm not going this year!)

****DO BEFORE JULY 1st***** Get your entry tickets for your pieces for submission to the IOWA STATE FAIR!!!

@ the August meeting: Learn to make your own Kumihimo Braid!!! (Karla and Myrna to teach!)

@ the IOWA STATE FAIR: How many Ribbons will our members earn?!?!?!?!

Looks like an exciting and (dare I say it...) F A B U L O U S summer for the Iowa Beading Society!
All this and more member get togethers!!! Too much fun!

Happy New Decade!!!

2010-01-18T16:41:00.000-06:00

Welcome to a New Year, and a New Decade!!!
2010 promises to be a great year for the Iowa Bead Society! Things are slowly coming together, and the picture looks very promising!
Up and coming possibilities:
       Guest Teacher Ruth Schroeder coming in February to teach:
               Copper Metal Clay
               Hand Died Silk Cords
               Silver Metal Clay
       the aMAYzing Bead and Jewelry Show...(coming your way in May!!!)...
   and all the Bead Shows we support:
              Living History Farms: February 20 & 21
              Bead Bash, Marshalltown, IA: September 26 & 27
              Treasures Bead Expo, West Des Moines, IA: October 2010

Who knows what else we may string up?!?!?!?!
Keep an eye out for all the exciting happenings with the Iowa Bead Society!

October Meeting

2009-10-19T13:57:00.004-05:00

Where: Valley Junction Community Building
Date: Monday, October 19th, 2009
When: 6:30 PM
What: What a "Spook-tacular" month it's been so far! Bead Shows and Gem Shows galore! Tonight, bring all your goodies and we can have a chance to oogle over all the fun new stuff everyone bought!
Don't foget to bring your October Bead Challenge Project, the Theme was "Halloween"...how fun is that?
Lot's to talk about, plenty of great new ideas to share...see you there!

September Meeting

2009-09-14T12:56:00.003-05:00

Hello again!
Welcome to fall!

Where: Valley Junction Community Building
Date: Monday, Sept. 21st, 2009
When: 6:30 PM
What: This will be a working meeting! We will be prepping the post cards for the up and coming Treasures Bead Show. If all hands are on deck this will finish in no time at all!

Also...Please remember to bring your September "Theme" Challenge Project: FALL (mine is almost done...I started it today...nothing like last minute, eh?)

OH yeah...and this reminder: please bring your beautiful silver projects and the pieces that were created with the new skill Cheryl taught us!

See you tonight!

Lost in Des Moines...

2009-08-20T16:49:00.003-05:00

OMG...I am so sorry! I've been lost in Des Moines... WORKING!!! grrrr... time flies, and I lost track of "when" it was! So... read on to check out what's coming up!

August Color Challenge...SILVER!!! I've been waiting for this one! I even had a project ready in time for the meeting, just didn't get to the meeting...PLUS...alot of other members were MIA at the Iowa State Fair! Because of this please bring your beautiful silver projects to the September Meeting. I heard through the grape vine that there were some beautiful projects that were completed from the new skill Cheryl taught us...please bring those back as well, so I can get some pics and post them!

Septembers Color Challenge...well, we're mixing it up a bit and having a "theme" challenge... FALL. What does "fall" mean to you? Bead it and show us! I'm excited to see what we all come up with!

September's Meeting will be a working meeting! We will be prepping the post cards for the up and coming Treasures Bead Show. If all hands are on deck this will finish in no time at all!

July's Project

2009-07-20T12:17:00.002-05:00

Hello Ladies! I'm excited for tonight! Cheryl is going to teach us a beaded project! If you haven't gotten the info here is what you need to bring:

A ring of some sort, a smaller stone ring, a silver ring, a large 0 ring, anything round, oval or odd shapped to bead around.

Some size 8 seed beads in a couple of colors.

Any type of beading thread, scissors and a beading mat!

Can't wait to see what we do! See you there!!! (PS...don't forget your Red, White, & Blue projects!)

July Meeting

2009-07-12T12:32:00.004-05:00

What: Iowa Bead Society Meeting
When: July 20th, 6:30 pm
Where: Valley Junction Community Center

Good thing the month started on a Wednesday! It feels like we have one extra week to get our Red, White & Blue projects completed! I know, I know, many of you already have yours done...well, I haven't started yet!! As usual I wait until the last minute... ::sigh:: On the plus side, it'll be the first project I make in my "new" bead room! YEAH!

See you soon!

July Color Challenge

2009-07-12T12:28:00.001-05:00

This should come as no surprise: RED, WHITE and BLUE.

Let's celebrate Old Glory and create items that reflect her colors!!!

June Meeting

2009-06-15T16:39:00.004-05:00

Hello all! Tonight is the June meeting.

Where: Valley Junction Community Building
When: 6:30 PM
What: Tonight is show and tell from Bead and Button, or whatever you feel like bringing to share!

Don't forget your Black and White Projects for this months color challenge!

Let's look at last months Yellow Projects:

Missing in Action

2009-05-25T17:30:00.007-05:00

Sorry I've been gone... I lost my camera - don't ask...it's kinda embarrassing!!!

So... the Purple Challenge was a HUGE success... check out all of our projects:

Our next meeting TOOK place on Monday, May 18th at 6:30 PM at the Valley Junction Community Center.

Our Guest Speaker was Bill McAfee. He spoke to us about cutting cabs. Many of you have seen his work. His rocks rock! What an awesome presentation and opportunity to get some beautiful cabs at a SWEET price!!!

The color challenge was YELLOW pictures are coming soon!!!!

April Meeting

2009-04-14T12:20:00.005-05:00

WHAT: April Bead Society Meeting
WHEN: April 20th, 6:30pm
WHERE: Valley Junction Community Center

Hello everyone! The monthly meeting is just around the corner, so I hope you have your Purple Projects ready! I've been working on mine, (8 different attempts) and I still haven't been successful! I know purple is an easy color for many of you - but I'm finding it very challenging!!

We don't have a guest speaker for this meeting, so lets to a show-and-tell! Many of us were at the Omaha Bead Show, so let's bring our goodies and let everyone drool over them!!!

This meeting will also have us voting for our new officers, so make every effort to be there!

See you soon!

Check it out!!!

2009-04-01T10:18:00.002-05:00

Yeah to Pilar, one of our awesome members, who made it into the Beading Daily email via the Step by Step Beads Magazine!!! Congrats Pilar!!! You Rock!

Pilar's Link

Green With Envy!!!

2009-04-01T09:39:00.009-05:00

So, March Madness struck, and did we ever get creative at our March meeting! It was CRAZY, I tell ya, CRAZY FUN that is! Here are all the pics from our Green Challenge, aren't you envious?

And to add to the fun, Karla taught us how to make Fibula Pins... How fun is that??? I've been trying to make these on my own for a while, and haven't been successful! Karla taught us the ins and outs of the technique, and all of us were successful!!! Check them out:

Do you feel like you're missing out??? Well, you kinda, are!!! Come and join us for a meeting, check us out! You're welcome as our guest on your first visit, and if you like what we do, then join us...membership has it's perks...and we're a ton of fun!!!!

March Meeting

2009-03-15T21:05:00.004-05:00

Holy Cow... March Madness has gotten ahold of me, and I've just shaken loose! I am so sorry for getting this info out so late, I hope you see it in time!

First, here are the awesome Color Challenge "Blue" items from last month! I'm telling you, we're getting pretty creative out there!! (A few people made me a bracelet, but it turned out to be a bit too small - silly girls!!!)

I love them all!!!

OK... now here is the meeting information: Same time, Same place!!! But check this out girls (and guy!!! LOL):

Karla will be demonstrating FIBULA PINS!!!!

Here's the 411 from Karla on the demo:
Here's my description:

I'll be demonstrating fibula pins. The possibilities are endless with this
type of pin. I'll show a few samples and demonstrate the basics of one
variety.

From Wikipedia:

A Fibula (Latin "to fasten"[1]) is an ancient brooch. Technically, the Latin
term fibulae refers specifically to Roman brooches, however, the term is
widely used to refer to brooches from the entire ancient and early medieval
world. Unlike modern brooches, fibulae were not only decorative, they
originally served a practical function: to fasten clothes, including cloaks.
Fibulae replaced straight pins that were used to fasten clothing in the
Neolithic period and Bronze Age. In turn, fibulae were replaced as clothing
fasteners in the Middle Ages by buttons. Their descendant, the modern
safety-pin, remains in use today.

Materials:

- At least one foot of 18 gauge wire. If you plan to use sterling silver, it
should be half hard. (I bought mine at Fishlips 3, so there should be some
available there.) I'd suggest practicing with a cheaper wire such as copper.
Since the point of the pin will be filed, the wire should be solid or you
will see the base wire at the point. You can always practice with a cheap
wire and then cut it apart and use the expensive wire for the final piece.

- Beads and spacer beads that will fit over the wire. Lampwork beads work
great for this! It can be several small beads or one main focal bead.

- Basic wireworking tools - round nose pliers and flat/chain nose pliers.

- More advanced wireworking tools - hammer and anvil or steel block, files,
emory board. If you don't have these, I'll have mine with me that you can
borrow.

February Meeting

2009-02-14T01:50:00.002-06:00

Hey ladies and gents! Don't let the snow get you down! Come to the meeting on Monday and spend some time with our beading mates!

When: Monday, February 16th, 2009
Where: Artistic Bead
Time: 6:30

Don't forget to bring your beautiful new BLUE projects to share!
Our photographer can't make it on Mondays or Thursdays, so lets think of a date when we could all get together for a lesson on taking pictures of our creations! There's nothing better than learning from a Professional!

So... Don't forget to bundle up nice and warm and come meet us at the meeting! Hot Chocolate will be served!!!! YUM!!!

Color Challenge: Got the Blues???

2009-01-29T16:19:00.004-06:00

Hey everyone! Is this cold weather getting you down? Well, hopefully this months color challenge can give new meaning to "got the blues"!
That's right - this months color is BLUE!!! Dig through all your beads and get the best of the blues by creating a piece for this months color challenge! Remember... 80% of your project has to be the color blue!!! I can't wait to see whats created... the sky's the limit!

Pretty in Pink

2009-01-29T15:55:00.006-06:00

What a great time we had learning Needle Tatting! Our guest speaker, Sherri, looking pretty in pink (how did she know our color challenge this month???) was very knowledgeable, and very patient! We all had a great time learning how to needle tat, and hopefully some creative new beaded jewelry will come from it!

Our pink challenge brought out some past projects, and some new ones! Not only did we have beautiful strung pieces, but some knotted furnace glass, bead weaving, wire work, decorative ornimates, and lampwork beads were in attendance, too!

January Meeting

2009-01-14T20:34:00.002-06:00

WHAT: January Bead Society Meeting
WHEN: January 19th, 6:30pm
WHERE: Valley Junction Community Center

Hey all!!! This is going to be an exciting meeting! We will have a guest instructor at the meeting to show us the technique of needle tatting! I've never done this before, but I've been told it's easy to learn! I am really excited about this! There will be an email sent with the list of items that you need to bring.

Also... bring your "PINK" item that you've made from the color challenge last month!

See you soon...

Color Challenge: Pink

2008-12-29T18:00:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! As you can see, Myrna picked her favorite, Pink! Please try to create something using the color Pink. Remember, other colors may be used but the challenge is to create something that has 80% Pink!! The color for last month was White... and those pictures are coming!

Welcome to the Blog-sphere!

2008-12-27T16:14:00.000-06:00

The Iowa Bead Society is now joining the Blog-Sphere! As newcomers to this environment, we will do our best to inform the greater blog community of our meeting dates, locations, and activities! We hope to keep you informed, intertained, and inspired... until next time...