Why a Bead Society?

This is a question I asked myself; my friends had the same response.  What is the Portland Bead Society all about?

My first experience with the Portland Bead Society was far more than I could have imagined or expected.  This group of creative, warm, funny artists welcomed a total stranger to their meeting this last Tuesday evening.  As I expected, there is quite a cross section of society.  Young and young at heart, folks who make their living selling beads, women whose lives revolve around the creative process of bead design and are professional artists and people who just like to get in there and create just for their own enjoyment.  One thing they all had in common was a creative place to meet with others who share the same passion.

One thing that stood out for me was that many of the members of this group have participated regularly for many years.  Fifteen, twenty years was not uncommon.  That in itself amazed me.  Beyond that, I have been around groups made up predominately of women and if you are the “Newbie”, you barely get a glance, much less a smile.  That was far from the case here.  I was actually “Welcomed”!  I have to admit, I was not really prepared for that kind of response.  I was feeling a bit shy, but once I was welcomed by several of the women, I felt I had found a place where I might actually belong.  I was invited to introduce myself and tell a little bit about why I was there.  I can only hope that they were pleased to hear that I want to learn and tell their stories.   

As I have said before, “Everyone has a story”.  These women did not disappoint me.  I came away with more stories in three hours than I could have dreamed of.  The most wonderful part of this is that I have only scratched the surface.  There was not enough time in the evening to talk to everyone.  In fact, because the stories are so colorful, I was only able to talk to a few.  The PBS, as it is known, has a retreat coming up and I was invited by several of the members.  This event has been bringing bead designers from the Portland area to the Oregon Coast for seven years now.  I definitely got the drift that they are very much looking forward to getting away and hanging out with their creative counterparts.

I was lucky to attend the night that Teresa Sullivan was speaking to the group.  A guest speaker is scheduled for every meeting.  Teresa is a PBS member and has been for many years.  She is also a professional artist.  Her work is Sculpture Jewelry and she brings a sense of whimsy with her art.  Teresa has her work showing right now at the Mesa Art Center in Arizona.  Old comic books and garage sale finds have a significant presence in her work.  I highly recommend you go to her website, www.teresasullivanstudio.com and take a look.

Education on new techniques and the celebration of creativity is what drives this group along with their desire to make an impact on the world.  My first night as a member they were voting on how to spend the money that they work so hard for.  They have two big fundraisers every year, one being their Art & Elegance in Beads at the Oregon Convention Center, April 30 thru May 2.  I have personally attended this show for many years.  It is in conjunction with several other art shows at the same venue.  I highly recommend attending if you haven’t had the opportunity in the past.  Their other event comes November 6 & 7 in the form of their Annual Bead Bazaar.  If being overwhelmed by beads is what you are looking for, this is a great place to check out.

What should they do with the money that they have worked so hard for at these fundraising events?  They give back!  I was very pleased and impressed that it is not just about the art.  This group can see how they can make a difference in many ways. 

There is a beautiful woman named Bobbye Brown who is a founding member of PBS.  In her spare time she has been given the opportunity to teach about bead design and history from all over the world.  She goes into schools and teaches children, she goes to senior citizen homes and anywhere else she may have an audience.  She will be taking her “show” to the Gem Faire in Hillsboro, Oregon in March.  What makes Bobbye so special is that she tells me that she never planned any of this.  She started with a little interest and it blossomed into a passion.  The Portland Bead Society knows that what Bobbye, better known as “The Bead Lady” by her students and friends, has learned over the years needs to be documented and cataloged.  It was voted to help her do just that and she will be getting funds to help her knowledge become a part of the history of the society.  Her collection, one that has grown over the years with the help of friends, will be preserved as it should be.

PBS knows that art can change a life or at the very lease enhance someone’s existence.  They voted to help several other groups that attend to the needs of young adults and women who have been battered, living in shelters.  Volunteers go into the shelter and teach the art of bead design and help these people make things that will surely bring joy to their trying lives.

Beyond these personal stories of philanthropy, funds are also going to The Bead Museum in Glendale, Arizona and to a gentleman who will be traveling to Taiwan to collect beads for historical purposes.

I can personally say that I know why a group such as the Portland Bead Society exists.  Isn’t it wonderful that something as small as a bead can make a difference in the world?  

For more information about the Portland Bead Society, please visit:
http://www.beadport.com/

Happy beading!  

Jill

Jill Hartley
Founder, Executive Publisher
Bead Designs PLUS
http://www.BeadDesignsPLUS.com

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