October 2013 Bead Society Newsletter

October 2013
BSNC October Program
SIMPLE SOLDERING: You CAN Do It at Home
Presented by Kate Richbourg
Tuesday October 15, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. Social hour starts at 7 p.m.
Courtyard Marriott, 5555 Shellmound, Emeryville, 94605. The parking lot is a gated surface lot around the
hotel. Bring your parking ticket into the hotel; get it validated after the meeting and BSNC will pay the
parking fee. Members free with membership card. Guests $5
In this dynamic talk, Jewelry Educator, Designer and Writer, Kate
Richbourg discusses her methods for soldering in a small workspace. Kate
will discuss the set-up, methods and materials needed to take you to the
next level in your jewelry-making journey. Kate will have her best-selling
book, Simple Soldering available for purchase at the meeting. A fun and
informative talk, Kate encourages you join her for this fun evening.
Simply put, Kate Richbourg loves jewelry. She loves to teach it. She loves
to make it. She loves to wear it. Teaching and designing jewelry since
1992, she teaches at national shows, bead societies and bead shops and
is published in a variety of jewelry magazines and is the author of the
popular blog “We Can Make That at Home”. She has also appeared on
several episodes of the DIY and HGTV network shows “DIY Jewelry” and
“Craft Lab” and is a regular featured expert on Jewelry Television's "Jewel
School". Kate’s is the author of the bestselling book Simple Soldering: A
Beginner’s Guide to Jewelry Making from Interweave Press.
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VENETIAN GLASS TRADE BEADS – Rosanna Falabella
On July 16, 2013 B.S.N.C. member Rosanna
Falabella gave a hands-on presentation of
her collection of African Trade Beads. Her
fascination with these pieces of ancient
time started four years ago when the bead
society took a trip to Picard’s Bead
Museum in Carmel Valley, CA; and it was
an entry into Candy Land. It is one thing to
see color cards or to see them featured in
books, but John and Ruth Picard have
African Trade beads on display, in drawers,
and on strands for one to pick up and study
and eventually own and love. There is a
myriad of pattern designs, shapes, and
sizes. Many collectors center on one
particular area; but when you are just
starting out, you want one, or two, or
many of each type. Rosanna went on that
field trip, opened the drawers behind the
glass cabinet, and “it went downhill from
there.”
The development of the Peace Corps during the
1960-1970 period in the US was instrumental in
introducing many of these strands to the United
States. It was easy to purchase the beads and
tuck them into suitcases as the workers returned
home ~ bringing something “native” back from
their travels. The L.A. Bead Society, which
started in 1975, and the Bead Researchers,
which began six years later, have documented
over thirty years of the history and collection.
Today, the African traders in beads travel
throughout the world. The interest by
Europeans seems to have fallen off with the
development of online traders, and the issue of
fake African Trade Beads is manifested online
where you really can’t see or touch the beads to
help with their authentication. Some of the
original good beads are now being discovered as
estates sell off their collections. Recently, there
was a sale of the James Lewis estate, which
included three rooms full of African Trade Beads,
amassed by Mr. Lewis. Many of the B.S.N.C.
members were fortunate to have attended the
auctions and even purchased some items from
his collection.
That night, her initial focus was the history
of African Trade Beads and why this history
is so important to their existence. Where
did they come from? What do they look
like? Why are their patterns and colors so
different? And most importantly, how
they will look worked up together into one
of her many fabulous necklaces?
Rosanna discussed how she accumulated her
personal collection with examples on the tables,
as well as slides illustrating her progression from
one or two beads being purchased, to their
incorporation into necklaces. There are many categories
and sub-categories, colors and patterns… Some collectors
specialize in a single style, shape, or color, e.g., millefiori or
chevron. Some are fortunate to purchase entire strands of
a certain type of bead, or necklaces that have been strung
with examples of many different beads.
If you were not fortunate enough to be there for her
presentation, you missed a fascinating history of the how
and why this category of beads evolved. While the ancient
history of glass bead making from 3,500 BC to current
times is a lengthy one, the most interesting point is that
these beads were made in Venice and Murano, Italy and
traded throughout North and South American countries,
primarily dealing through West Africa. China and India
then got into the mix, and glass beads were being made all
over the world. The fact that these two countries got into
making “African Trade Beads” has caused a great problem
of authentication of what is being sold today.
The most exciting part is the purchase and identification of
each different type African Trade Bead. The original African
Trade Beads had a high lead content, so are heavy in the
hand, and their holes are large: 2-4 mm with no residue
inside. Their classification must be done hands-on to
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eliminate any of the reproductions flooding the market out
of the Far East. Many beads are also being found in
archeological dig sites. To assist in identifying your bead
purchase are the actual original bead cards, as can be seen
both on-line at Picard’s web site, in their color
publications, and as well as in person in their museum. The
J.F. Sick & Co. (1910 – 1950) published a catalog with
actual beads sewn onto cardstock that totaled 197 pages.
At 100 beads per page, that’s almost 20,000 different
beads ~ different is size, shape, color, and pattern design.
This is by far the best way for collectors to authenticate
their beads.
and spirals, wedding cake designs, pulled feathers, squares
and circles, crumb decorated, millefiori canes (the most
famous) of which there are thousands of patterns, some
sliced and put on a solid bead and some laid sideways. It
goes on and on!
In showing us both slides and actual beads from her
personal collection, Rosanna continued with a hands-on
display and description of the various shapes, sizes, and
colors. Especially helpful was information on the colors
most noticeable in reproductions, as certain old glass
colors can only be made with chemicals no longer on the
open market, and often dangerous.
Rosanna was asked about the condition of the beads she
purchases. She said that if she purchases a bead to keep,
she cleans it; if she purchases it to sell or trade, she doesn’t
clean it as the condition of the bead is part of its history as
well.
Today, in Africa, these trade beads are worn to show
status, history, and personal wealth. It doesn’t matter to
them if the center focal bead that looks like amber may
actually be plastic. It is the color and the aesthetics of the
piece in the design that matters. But…if you are a true
collector, it must be the real thing; and it is the excitement
of the hunt and the resulting discovery and authentication
that make it all worthwhile. Just ask Rosanna! B.S.N.C.
members who are also very much into collecting and
researching African Trade Beads are: Joyce Holloway, Fred
Chavez, John and Ruth Picard and Jamey D. Allen.
Rosanna Falabella is a retired polymer materials scientist.
She has had a lifelong interest in fashion design and
tailoring, has been involved with beaded jewelry design for
15 years, and has collected Venetian and other trade beads
for the last four.
Some of the beads displayed and discussed were: drawn,
lampwork, and wound. But within each of those basic
categories were various shapes: cylinders, barrels and
discs, faceted, hand ground chevrons (one of the most
famously known types with 5-7 layers and then ground
back to display each color), tabular, rounds, elbows,
teardrops ~ some of these very, very rare! Then, it was on
to colors: clear/white/milky, sulfurous yellow, orange,
brown, pinks and purples (rare), a whole gamut of greens,
blues, and finally black which was often actually a dark
cobalt or green. Because it took the addition of real gold to
make a pure red, came the development of “white hearts”,
which consist of a layer of red glass over a white core. If all
those subcategories weren’t enough, it went on even
further, with the design itself. These could include the
“evil eye” for protection, trails, dots, faces, florals, trailings
~Marilyn Peters
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CORD & THREAD + A TOUR OF BEAD & FIBER JEWELRY - Marion Hunziker-Larsen
B.S.N.C. was given a special
presentation seminar by
Marion Hunziker-Larsen on
Sunday, July 14, 2013 on
fiber, techniques, micro
macramé, Cavandoli
knotting, Kumihimo
braiding, Chinese knotting,
bead crochet, and cord
making.
worked in 3-dimension over wire armatures, making
mostly one-of-a-kind pieces. Many of her pieces were sold
through galleries, including Gallery 5 in Tequesta, Florida, a
famous gallery still operating today. Many of the galleries
went out of business due to economic issues, some still
owing artists monies. With the economy affecting even
specialty craft fairs, the exquisite unique pieces of jewelry
she is known for became harder to sell. After seeing a
stone donut knotted onto a piece of leather at a craft
show, she devised a style of fiber-embellished donuts
hanging from her cording and started to make pieces she
Since the late 70’s, Marion calls her Zen macramé series with only a few specialized
has used various fiber
knots. With an increasing number of customers and fans,
techniques to create a large she started holding workshops to teach her techniques,
collection of limited edition and spread her vast knowledge of fibers and what you can
and one-of-a-kind jewelry. create with them.
In 2006, with the gentle
push of her many
Initially, there were few colors to work with, and the
customers and friends, she popular fibers were coated with wax ~ which was
opened an on-line supply store. It grew overnight to the
problematic when she found out that she was allergic to
point that she now supplies to professional artists,
that element. She switched to bonded nylon and silk as
designers, and students all over the world. She has also
her favorite working fibers. Marion discovered that she
become a color consultant for C-Lon, supplier of fiber cords could hand dye silk for special pieces; but for the bonded
in over 104 colors. Her presentation covered the usage of nylon, she had to work with what was available
cords and fibers, as well as beautiful jewelry pieces that
commercially. To obtain the colors Marion wanted for her
are created through these techniques. Another important pieces, she tried to dye nylon at home; but nylon is not
subject to Marion is the use of adhesives, as she feels it is
easy to dye, and the colors didn’t last long. Nylon cord
important that our creations last for generations. She
comes in three forms: monofilament, twisted in a 3-ply “s”
discussed which ones to use and not use and why, a
and/or “z” twist (be careful not to try to mix the two when
subject utmost in every jewelry maker’s mind. She finished making cords as that causes a disaster), or braided. The 3with a slide presentation of the work done by fiber artists
ply twist was originally available in the US either with a
from around the world ~ illustrating their similarities and
waxed or bonded finish. Nowadays, only bonded nylon
differences.
cord is made in the U.S. At that time, Mastex™ was her
supplier with their 20+ colors, but they closed. Soon, CIt all started in 1974, with a back-packing trip with her
Lon™ took up the cause. They first created C-Lon Thread
now-husband. They met in Canada; and by 1975, he
size D, a mono-cord similar to Nymo™, especially made for
dragged her along as he painted in Arizona. He had some
beading, bead lace, and bead embroidery. They went on to
waxed linen in the van to repair his moccasins; desert
produce C-Lon Bead Cord, a 3-ply bonded nylon specifically
seeds were discovered on her walks, as well as a book on
for micro macramé and beading in 24 colors. C-Lon Bead
macramé. Out of boredom, she started to play; and the
Cord now comes in 108 colors and four sizes.
rest is history.
Nylon was invented by DuPont™ as an alternative to silk
By the 1980s, she had entered the American Craft Council for making stockings. It became instantly popular, since silk
Shows circuit and was doing gallery shows. Initially, she
production had been disrupted by war and silk stocking
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were difficult to get. Nylon mimics filament silk with long
continuous filaments. Nylon is hyper-allergenic, as it does
not shed any of its fibers. It can be washed and vat dyed
(which was good with most light, though Marion doesn’t
recommend displaying any pieces, created with nylon, in
the sun).
original method where the cords float loosely in your
fingers. She has placed a free tutorial on her site for a
Turkish Flat Bead Crochet/Knotting technique as well.
She showed slides of various artists and the knotting work
that made them famous. She discussed the various
techniques and tools associated with: tatting (with and
without a shuttle), bead crochet and knitting, square
knotting, Chinese knotting, micro-macrame, bead
embroidery, and finger weaving ~ all of which can be done
with the cords she sells.
Marion continued her presentation by discussing
adhesives. She ingeniously figured out how to create a
“self-needle” for stringing beads onto the thicker C-Lon
cord by feathering the end with a razor blade, waxing it
well with beeswax, and then twisting the fibers into a long,
thin, point. You can also glue cord ends using GS Hypo
Cement™ (only recommended for a temporary hold, as
most of the repairs she has done were for pieces initially
made with this adhesive – which she no longer uses), Poly
Zap™, or 5-minute epoxy. However, Poly-Zap is not
recommended for use around beads, as it’s fumes frost the
beads. Fray Check™ is a better alternative to use around
beads. It is a thread conditioner, but a bit stiff; and
because of its stiffness, it turns out to make an excellent
adhesive. Fray Block™, another thread conditioner similar
to Fray Check but not as stiff, is good for adding bond or
stiffness to cord when desired.
“The re-emergence of Macrame has been centered around
jewelry, renamed Micro Macramé for short and mostly
features knotted cords with beads or gemstones.” DIY
books have been published by artists and authors such as
Joan Babcock, Kris Buchanan, Sherry Haab, Anika DeGroot
and Marie Le Sueur. Websites such as Macramé Collective
present macramé as an art form. The availability of
materials to work with has been a major factor. You need
cord to work with. “In 2005, I had difficulties finding
bonded nylon in a wide range of colors for myself and my
students, so when I discovered C-Lon, I decided to promote
them,” (from her web site and at bead shows). Marion’s
online store specializes in C-Lon which is a 3-ply nylon cord.
C-Lon Bead Cord comes in over 104 colors and in 4 sizes:
Micro Cord, Tex 135, C-Lon Bead Cord, and Tex 400 Cord.
With the increasing popularity of micro macramé and
Kumihimo, she discussed the history of knotting
techniques in great detail. Years ago, cording and knots
were done on whaling ships as a way to pass the time and
still create something functional and beautiful. The
original Kumihimo cording technique was done by hand in
Japan, using a smooth wooden circular loom called a
marudai. Today’s kumihimo technique can be done easily
on a round foam disk or square plate with numbered slits
around the edges to hold the cording snugly in place.
There are numerous books on this subject showing
different cording designs possible by placing the cords’
colors in specific places. Marion has also started selling
Kumihimo kits hi-lighting her cords and ribbons.
Marion and her husband
have recently moved 21/2 hours north, away
from the Bay Area.
She can be reached at:
P.O. Box 6776
Chico, CA 95927
530-774-2244
or check out her site:
www.jewelsinfiber.com.
Marion teaches the ancient “Crown Sennet” knotting
technique by using a Kumihimo foam disk. (She teaches
this technique at BABE!) It holds the cords snugly in place
and makes this technique easier to achieve than the
~Marilyn Peters
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BRAGGS & BOUQUETS
Andrea Grzabka won the Bead and Button's Bead Dream 2013 show.
She placed first in the seed bead category with her piece titled "Blue Feather".
That was the name of my first horse I had when I was a girl.
You can see my piece in the Oct. Issue of Bead and Button
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COMMUNITY BOARD
Lucia Antonelli teaches jewelry classes at her home in Petaluma.
She teaches basic stringing, finishing techniques, design, and wire wrapping
using seed beads combined with all manner of beautiful components brought by you,
the student. Classes are tailor made to each student.
It is a beautiful and relaxed country setting: chickens, Vinny, the Bichon, and 2 kitties!
Please refer to her website. www.LuciaAntonelli.com to see her work.
You can contact her at 707-762-1165 or email her at luciaantonelli47@gmail.com
for all class details and for notification for all future classes.
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Calendar of Events
October 12, 2013
Saturday 10am-6pm
Trunk Show with Wild Things Beads at Ubeadquitous
October 12 & 13, 2013
Saturday & Sunday
10am- 5pm
NC NAGLE GEMS & BEADS will be at the 45 annual Nevada County Gem & Mineral
Society Show. For more info: www.ncgms.org or www.ncnaglegemsandbeads.com
October 13, 2013
Sunday 9am -3pm
Judy from Natural Touch will have a booth at the Marin Outdoor Antique Flea Market.
Free Admission and Free Parking She'll be bringing vintage laces & trim, buttons, old
beads, etc.
BSNC October Speaker: Simple Soldering: You CAN Do It at Home, Presented by Kate
Richbourg. In this dynamic talk, Jewelry Educator, Designer and Writer, Kate Richbourg
discusses her methods for soldering in a small workspace.
NC NAGLE GEMS & BEADS will be at the El Dorado County Gem & Mineral Society 29th
Annual Rock & Gem Show. For more info:www.eldoradomineralandgem.org or
www.ncnaglegemsandbeads.com
NC NAGLE GEMS & BEADS will be at the Peninsula Gem & Geology Society 6th Annual
Show. For more info: http://pggs.org or www.ncnaglegemsandbeads.com
October 15, 2013
Tuesday 7:30pm
October 19 & 20, 2013
Saturday & Sunday
10am- 5pm
October 26 & 27, 2013
Saturday & Sunday
10am- 5pm
October 27, 2013
Sunday 10am-4pm
November 3, 2013
Sunday 10am-4pm
November 3, 2013
Sunday 10am-4pm
November 9-11, 2013
November 14-17, 2013
November 16-17, 2013
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
Nov 23 & 24, 2013
Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 10am-4pm
November 30, 2013
Saturday 1pm - 6pm
Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2013
Friday 12pm-6pm
Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday 11 am - 5 pm
Nov. 30 & Dec. 1,
Dec. 7 & 8, 14 & 15,
21 & 22, 2013
Saturdays and Sundays
11am-6pm
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Deborah Anderson will be displaying and selling her work at The Fifth Annual FABMO
TEXTILE ART BOUTIQUE. Repurposing with style one of a kind treasures, handcrafted by
more than 40 local artisans. Free admission and parking. For more info: www.fabmo.org
Sarah Shriver will be at the annual KPFA Craft Show. Check her website for more
information at www.sarahshriver.com.
TEXTILE BAZAAR: Treasures from Around the World Sponsored by the Textile Arts
Council of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Free Admission to shop over 30
vendors offering an extensive selection of extraordinary textiles and jewelry from
across the globe. Free parking too!
Judy of Natural Touch will have a booth at the Textile Art Council Bazaar
She'll be bringing tribal wood bowls, old beads and beaded jewelry,
Indonesian baskets, masks, and textiles.
http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/calendar/textile-arts-council-textile-bazaartreasures-around-world
Sarah Shriver will be at the Celebration of Craftswomen. Check her website for more
information at www.sarahshriver.com.
The Bay Area Bead Extravaganza! classes are spectacular this year. Check them out and
sign-up at www.BeadExtravaganza.com
The Bay Area Bead Extravaganza! show is lining up to be the best yet. Come and shop
all your favorite vendors this year. Many even offer special discounts to BSNC members.
Wild Things Beads will be at the Livermore Lithorama Gem & Mineral Show
Held at "The Barn".
Sarah Shriver will host the Holiday Open Studio, at her studio. Featuring different
artists- snacks, beverages and big fun. Check her website for more information at
www.sarahshriver.com.
The Garden of Beadin’ will be at the San Mateo Intergem show with seedbeads, Czech
glass, stringing material and beading supplies. BSNC Members get 10% off with their
card. Call 2 weeks ahead of the show with any special orders. Send a SASE to: PO Box
1535, Redway, CA 95560 for free entry tickets.
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Susan Brooks will be part of the 23 annual Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studio Free
Self-Guided Tour of 100 Professional Artisan Workshops. This self-guided tour presents
a unique opportunity to meet the artists, to buy original & creative gifts, and to see
working craft studios, giving viewers a glimpse into the creative process. Many studios
are in the same building, or are clustered within walking distance from one another.
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Ubeadquitous
9111 Windsor Rd
Windsor, CA
Nevada County Fairgrounds
Main Exhibit Hall
11228 McCourtney Road
Grass Valley, CA
Marin Veterans Memorial
Auditorium Parking Lot
Courtyard Marriott
5555 Shellmound
Emeryville, CA 94605
El Dorado County Fairgrounds
100 Placerville Road
Placerville, CA
Los Altos Civic/ Youth Center
One San Antonio Rd.
Los Altos, CA
Quadrus Conference Center
2400 Sand Hill Road
Menlo Park, CA
Concourse Building
8th and Brannon
San Francisco, CA
Moriarty Hall,
St. Anne of the Sunset Church
1300 Funston (at Judah)
San Francisco, CA
Moriarty Hall
of St.Anne's Church
1300 Funston at Judah
San Francisco, CA
Fort Mason
Marriott City Center Hotel
10th & Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607
Marriott City Center Hotel
10th & Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607
3131 Pacific Ave
off South Livermore Ave
Livermore, CA
8 Redding Way
San Rafael, CA
San Mateo Event Center
2495 South Delaware Street
San Mateo, CA 94403
Various locations throughout
Berkeley. A list of participants
and a map are available at
www.berkeleyartisans.com
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DISCOUNTS FOR BSNC MEMBERS!
The following stores offer discounts – show your current membership card
ALAMEDA
Bead Inspirations www.BeadInspirations.com
1544 Park Street Tel: 510-337-1203
10% discount except class fees, books, consignment jewelry &
instructor material kits.
SANTA CRUZ
Kiss My Glass
th
660A 7 Avenue Tel: 831-462-3077
15% Discount
VACAVILLE
Beads on Main www.BeadonMain.com
313 Main St. Tel:707-446-1014
10% discount at our bead store. Does not apply to finished jewelry,
magazines/books, class fees, already discounted merchandise &
Swarovski crystal packs. or if member is eligible for our wholesale
customer discount.
BENICIA
Beading Around the Bush
126 East E Street Tel: 707-747-9094
15% discount except for classes, books & sale items.
BERKELEY
Baubles & Beads www.BaublesandBeads.com
1676 Shattuck Avenue Tel: 510-644-2323
15% discount except for classes, books & sale items. If shopping
online, use coupon code NCBS15.
VALLEJO
Beads in Pomegranate Seeds
538 C Florida Street Tel: 707-557-3337
10% Discount
CONCORD
Just Bead It! www.JustBeadItConcord.com
2051 Harrison Street, Suite C Tel:925-682-6943
INTERNET STORES
Beadshaper www. Beadshaper.com
coupon code is: BSNC58713coupon
10% discount on handcrafted items bought directly from
Beadshaper through the Beadshaper web site and at the Beadshaper
booth at shows in Northern California. This does not apply to
Beadshaper items sold at art galleries, boutiques, or through
another vender. The discount only applies to items created by the
Beadshaper. It does not apply to Beadshaper classes or items
purchased by the Beadshaper for resale. It cannot be applied
together with any other discount.
DANVILLE
Cottage Jewel www.CottageJewel.com
100 Prospect Avenue Tel: 925-837-2664
10-15% off everything not marked net.
FAIRFIELD
KimberlyKate Beads
720 Texas Street Tel: 707-426-2003
10% discount when you show your membership card. No discount
on consignment items.
CBA, Inc. www.ChinaBizAccess.com
Tel: 916-873-6230 Fax: 916-983-9128
15% discount except for on already discounted merchandise. Enter
member code BSNC in comment area when ordering.
GARBERVILLE
Garden of Beadin’ www.GardenofBeadin.com
752 Redwood Drive Tel: 800-232-3588
Fax: 707-923-9160 Email: Beads@asis.com
10% off for all BSNC members, in our store or at any of our shows.
Does not apply to already discounted merchandise.
Natural Touch www.NaturalTouchBeads.com
Tel: 707.781.0808
NCBS members receive 10% off their Resin Bead Purchases. Put note
in comments section of checkout or call 707.781.0808 Discount does
not apply to sale items or markdowns.
OAKLAND
Blue Door Beads www.BlueDoorBeads.com
4167 Piedmont Ave Tel: 510-652-2583
10% discount.
PENN VALLEY
Wild Things Beads www.WildThings.com
PO Box 1990 Tel: 530-743-1339
20% discount on Czech pressed beads and fire polish.
SAN JOSE
Sew Bedazzled
1068 Lincoln Avenue Tel: 408-293-2232
10% discount except on classes.
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Annual Membership Dues, which include digital mailings and meetings are $20 per year. Memberships with snail mail
and meetings is $30 per year. The year begins on the month you join. Dues are accepted at monthly meetings or can be
paid online using PayPal or a credit card, or with a Membership Application printed from our website.
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