The Bead Society went to the "Beads of Courage" studio for the SoCal Flame Surfers. It was exciting! The SoCal Flame Surfers support Beads of Courage in making special glass beads that can be given to hospitalized children.  Bead Society member, David Keith was our host. 

Beads of Courage (BoC) is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and teens coping with serious illness, their families, and the clinicians who care for them through their Arts-in-Medicine Programs. BoC has established collaborative partnerships in caring with hundreds of hospitals nationally and internationally and worked with several community organizations to make healing happen through the use of beads as a historical art form.

After our safety orientation, we were guided in making simple beads by Steve and David. We could add more glass to an initial bead, add dots, or do something else equally creative. We were willing to donate our beads to Beads of Courage, the non profit that David's group works with. After working with making beads, we had a pleasant potluck lunch with David's quiche and interesting conrads.

Here are some pictures from the two days we went to the Studio. 

Here are some videos of making glass beads. ​
​

Some pics on So Cal Flame Surfers Facebook page show us hard at work!  The pictures of beads donated even include our little contributions (on the far left). No, the ice cream cones are beyond our skill set! 
​
We all felt that we learned a lot about making glass beads. David does this twice a month, so let us know if you are interested. ​

​Learn Beadographer!

Beadographer is a new online app for designing beading designs. Currently it can be used to create brick, loom, peyote, herringbone, and right angle weave designs, with round and cylinder seed beads. You can use it to create beaded tapestries, jewelry, and ornaments.

You can try it out for free at beadographer.com (no login or download required).

​Beginning Wire Bending Jewelry Making Class
November 21, 2020  11:AM – 1:PM Saturday
 
Explore the endless possibilities of Wire Wrapping to make Jewelry. 
 
Renowned Wearable Art Designer and instructor Lillian M. Todaro will present Beginning Wire Bending Jewelry Making, Zoom Workshop for the Bead Society Los Angeles. Class sizes are limited so sign up now!​

Get started now making your own beautiful Jewelry. Make custom pieces of Jewelry for yourself, friends, family and to give on those gift giving Holidays that are coming.
 
For this online, class, we will start with basic Wire Bending techniques. First, we will learn to make simple wrapped eye-loop links that include beads. We will use them to create a pair of “Drop Earrings”. We will continue with wire bending by adding some fancy wire doodling techniques like spirals, etc.
 
We will also explore linking our wire wrapped beads or crystals together to make a beautiful chain for a necklace.

​Lillian Todaro is a multi-award winning “wearable art” jewelry artist for over thirty years. Primarily known for her innovative “Bead Sculptures,” Lilly has earned numerous “First Place” and “Best of Show” Jewelry Category Awards, and gained international attention with her television appearances. Lilly also teaches across the country, and is showcased at finer art shows & galleries.

Wire Bending Fundamentals costs $35.00 for Bead Society and CCRMC (Culver City Rock & Mineral Club. $45.00 for others. Click here to Register! 

The Bead Society is proud to present a virtual workshop by Renée Raymond on increasing your photography skills with your smart phone so that you can produce photos that will take you to the next level whether you’re sharing your jewelry photos on social media, selling your jewelry online, or planning to enter a juried jewelry show.   
Smart Phone Jewelry Photography: Tips & Techniques for Success
Saturday, September 5, 2020, 1:00 – 2:30 pm PST
$20 Bead Society members/ $30 Non members