The Loose Bead Society of Greater Milwaukee

Loose Bead News

Newsletter

The Spring Newsletter has been released! This issue includes a letter from our President about the Haitian bracelets, a letter from our President-Elect about her focus as President-Elect and initiatives she has been working on, a review about a colorful mosaic book from Susan Beal, an article about a recent museum and shopping trip to San Diego by Becky Conrad-LaMere, and much, much more! Check it out, and if you have any ideas for an article you would like to write for the next newsletter, please let Nancy know.

Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!

No, this is not a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail (that would be "Run away! Run away!"). This is an excited cry that the Spring Retreat is almost upon us!

The Retreat Committee has been hard at work covering all the last minute details to ensure we have a great weekend in Racine! How about you? Are you getting ready?

• Picking out your jewelry for Uncorkt? It will be Bling night! Wear your best, and you might go away with the Best of Show prize!
• Deciding on your projects for Open Beading? Got your light and extension cord? Extra snacks and soda? (We’ll have water and chocolate!)
• Packing the supplies you need for your classes?
• Choosing your lounge wear for Saturday night’s Jammin’ in your Jammies?
• Bringing your cash, credit card and/or check book for shopping at Uncorkt, Funky’s, other Racine shops, and/or spa treats?
• Wearing layers of clothing for whatever the weather outside and in the Harbour View?

Remember everyone is invited to Fox Den on their way to Racine and to the glass demo Friday night at Hot Shop Glass at 6:00 pm. We will be able to add you to the list for the Uncorkt reception if you let us know by Tuesday!

This just in! Click here for more information on what spa treats will be available!

If you need maps or a supply list for a class you have signed up for, please check out the Retreat page.

The Next Meeting is...

Fiery!
Monday, March 15th, 2010 - Jill Erickson will demonstrate torch-firing enamel. Samples of the demonstration can be found in the 2010 Bead & Button Show catalog, page 108, or you can check out the class in the Bead & Button Show website, class number B10852.

The theme for March's Table Talk will be Irish in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Anything goes - shamrocks, celtic knots, blarney stones! No matter your level of expertise, bring your green or maybe orange pieces - we'd love to see them!

Also bring your retreat registration forms, and if you have not yet renewed your membership, please be prepared to do so.

The Last Meeting was...

Irina Miech!
Our meeting on February 15th was all about Irina Miech and metal clay! She discussed what metal clay is and the history of it. She showed us a number of samples, including some rings from her new book. She also passed around her books so we could see the numerous projects she's written about!
 

The theme for February's Table Talk was Red in honor of Valentine's Day. We had a number of pieces again, including Marilee Rockley, Sue Stachelski, Bree Kleist, Lynn Larkins, Ruth Maegli, Carol Haiar, Kat Van Eyck, Bonnie DeSautelle, Susan Duehl, and Susan Beal.

 

Upcoming Events

• Friday, March 12th through Sunday, March 14th
  Beauty and the Beadist annual spring retreat in Racine.
  
  
• Sunday, June 6th through Sunday, June 13th
  The biggest consumer bead show in the world!
  
  

Beadwork Challenge

Introduction from Kat Feldman:

Hello LBS Bead Artists! I received this information via email from our web site. Please see their website (links are below) for all the information you need to take part in this challenge. This is a nation-wide event and does not take the place of our own challenge coming this summer. Details of that event will be posted in the coming months and announced at our monthly meeting.

I know some of you that work in other media, as well as beads, might find this really interesting. Check it out.

Kat Feldman

Call for Entries
Contemporary Beadwork II is a juried exhibition at 18 Hands Gallery in Houston, Texas. The exhibition, which will run this July, will feature jewelry and non-jewelry beadwork pieces. 18 Hands is a clay artist gallery, and the pieces shown on their website are amazing! It will be interesting to see what kinds of beadwork pieces they will choose for this event. The submission deadline is May 15th. Click here for the guidelines and more information. If you decide to submit a piece, let us know so we can cheer you on!

Kalmbach Magazines Online

Did you know that Kalmbach, our corporate sponsor, has a free member access section of their website for all of their jewelry magazines? If you subscribe to the magazine you get even more content. At the following websites, you can learn more about the member access content, sign up for an account, and sign up for their newsletters: Art Jewelry, Bead & Button, BeadStyle.

Facebook for LBS Members

LBS has set up a Facebook FAN PAGE to encourage communication between members. If you don't have a Facebook page yet, here's a site to help you get started. Facebook is a social-networking site that allows rapid communication. Many businesses such as Lark Books and Fusion Beads use Facebook. Worried about security? On Facebook you control your privacy levels and you can control who becomes your friend. Facebook - it's not just for kids.