The Bead Society of Los Angeles, the oldest of its kind in the United States.
In June of 2010, we celebrated our 35th anniversary. The Bead Society of
Los Angeles is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports the study,
discussion, and shared knowledge of beads in the United States and
throughout the world. The organization has undergone many changes over
the years as we grew from fifteen to more than 300 strong.
The Mission of the Bead Society of Los Angeles is to disseminate the
knowledge of beads and all related subjects. Our goal is to bring that
knowledge to as many people worldwide as possible.
Officers:
President: Diana Friedberg
Treasurer: Lisa Shatts
Membership: Kay Deeney
Recording Secretary: Julie Palmer
Committees:
Grants Committee: Diane Duplanty, Nikki Donahue, Tom Meikle,
Lois Rose Rose, Lily Ellison
Bazaar: Yvonne Woods
Program Designer: Fred Krieger
Website News Coordinator: Mary Yaeger
"Who Knew" Table Coordinator: Lois Rose Rose
History The Bead Society, Los Angeles was founded in 1975 by an enthusiastic group of
bead collectors, jewelery designers, importers and scholars. At that time, a wealth of old trade beads and ethnic
jewelry was being brought into Los Angeles from countries around the world. Because so little bead information
existed at that time, the founders felt the need to share their research and study as well as having the opportunity
to show their collections and ideas. Soon membership was opened to others interested in beads and The Bead Society
quickly grew. The same is true today, society members still meet and share their ideas, finds and knowledge through
the monthly meetings, newsletter and bead bazaars organized by the Bead Society.
In 1985 The Bead Society sponsored the first International Bead Conference in celebration of its tenth anniversary.
In 2004 The Bead Society of Los Angeles made bead history with the screening of Diana Friedberg's documentary
WORLD ON A STRING at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The first part of this four-part series The Eternal
Bead was shown to an invited audience of more than 500 people. No other Bead Society has ever embarked on such
a huge project. Diana Friedberg's original idea became a reality with a generous grant from the Bead Society of
Los Angeles. Other contributors added their support of this important project.
Robert K. Liu
Suzanne Miller
Ro Porter
Reedy Talton
Gertrude J. Thomas
Judith Ubick
Mary Evelyn Walker
Boyd Walker
Liza Watagani
Marion Winagura
Murray Winagura
Patti Yeiter
A little more about us: Our president, Diana Friedberg has
produced the award winning 5-part
series World on a String. It tells the
remarkable story of human history
through one of mankind's tiniest
creations - the bead. It is an
awesome saga spanning some
100,000 years. For more information visit
www.worldonastringmovie.com
