Beer & Beadz – February 2020
February’s beer and beads was held on Feb 20th and while the attendance was low we had a great time showing off our themed beads “hearts”.
I demo’d a heart mold I have as well as a free hand heart then Melanie demonstrated a large puffy hollow bead.
Everyone brought great snacks to share so this event being held around dinner time wasn’t an issue.
We closed out the evening with a bead exchange.
Beads of Courage Hall of Fame
Roxanne represents in the Beads of Courage Hall of Fame
On February 8th at the Beads of Courage HQ in Tucson, Arizona. 16 people were inducted into the Beads of Courage Hall of Fame. Roxanne is still in shock and says she is truly honoured that she was one of the 3 Canadian inductees.
I was very happy to be able to accept the award in person and add one of my ocean hearts to the Wall of Fame. It was a great trip.
Beads of Courage is a program very near and dear to me. For those who don’t know what it is here are the links…
– Roxanne Hood
Way to go Roxanne!
Beer & Beadz – January 2020
January beer and beads was held on the 28th, at Barb Fukusaka’s place. The theme was “where are we now?’ People brought the first beads they ever made and then some examples of what they are currently working on.
One of our members who came all the way from Nanaimo, brought us the snowmen beads she makes every year. It was great fun to see. We welcomed new member Lee Buhr. She started lamp working in September and is making great progress!
Barb demonstrated how to make boro chain. We all crowded around mostly to stay warm as her studio is in her garage.
We filled our bellies with lots of food and good stories.
Check out the winter issue of The Flow magazine where Ada Bording has a bead in it and Susan Otto-Bain has a tutorial.
Congrats ladies!
Beer & Beadz – December 2019
This Beer & Beadz, also the Pyro’s annual Christmas party was hosted by Kirsten & Al. There were 20 people in attendance, some coming from as far away as Vancouver Island.
The theme is “On a Cold Winters Night” and Kirsten & Al served two hearty soups and bread. Attendees brought a combination of meats, cheeses and desserts and we all ate very well.
The gift exchange was the pick & steal format we’ve all come to enjoy. One person picks a gift and opens it, the next person can either pick a new gift or steal the open gift. This goes on until all the gifts have been picked. The main rule is that once a gift has been stolen twice it can no longer be stolen so there is a strategy 🙂 Maria opened alot of great gifts, I think she opened 4 or 5 before she finally got to keep one. A stuffed moose was one of the gifts that was stolen alot.
We closed out the night with our monthly bead exchange. The challenge of the exchange was to bring beads with our interpretation of the “Cold Winters Night” theme.
Well done all! Merry Christmas to all and we will see you in 2020.
Beer & Beadz – October 2019
beer & beadz – october 2019
This Beer & Beadz was a Beads of Courage event. Thanks to TCGC for the use of your torches, kiln and workspace. Several members attended and our donation was 100 beads! Way to go!
We were treated to a visit from a previous bead recipient. Little Sophie and her parents stopped by to show us her beads and say thank you. Her visit brought the importance and appreciation of this event.
the evening ended with a bead exchange.
Beer & Beadz – September 2019
Septembers Beer & Beads was hosted by Trudy & Alicia at Trudy’s home studio.
A dozen of us started arriving around 2pm, treats in hand, and were treated to a burger & corn on the cob barbecue by our hosts. We discussed techniques and current events.
The theme was swirls so Trudy demonstrated her swirly pendants. She makes the pendant off-mandrel, then mashes it into the shape she wants and then it goes into a fibre blanket until they are cooled and she has several pendants made. From there, the pendants are put in her kiln for another heating process similar to fusing. After the pendants come out of the kiln she washes them and installs the bail.
I just love how organized and well equipped her studio is. Take note of all the glass and that each piece has been tagged!
The day ended with our bead exchange. We were asked to capture the theme with our trade beads. I think that was accomplished.
The day ended with our bead exchange. We were asked to capture the theme with our trade beads. I think that was accomplished.
The day ended with our bead exchange. We were asked to capture the theme with our trade beads. I think that was accomplished.
Beer & Beadz – August 2019
August B&B was held on a beautiful sunny day at Elisabeth’s studio. She showed off her wonderful travelling Bead Station which when not in use is closed up and doubles as a Backyard Bar.
Wendy came over from the Rock and showed us some amazing demonstrations on hollow beads. She made it look so easy and everyone went away with some new knowledge to help with our hollows.
Tip #1: Wendy purchases hollow Stainless Steel Rods from a welding supply. She then cuts them to length and drills a hole in them. When she dips them in the bead release, it seals up one end. No more buying expensive Hollow Mandrels.
Tip #2: Wendy uses Dollar store tongs with Griffin Replacement Sleeves from Mountain Glass to cover them. She uses these to remove the hollow beads from the mandrel.
The bead exchange was amazing as always. The theme was “wine & cheese” – note the cool wine glass bead Trudy made.
Beer & Beadz – July 2019
Joanne & Dave were the hosts for July’s B&B. Thanks to Theresa for the pictures and commentary.
Lots of fun, delicious food, exchange of information and wonderful beads to exchange for the ‘Bright Orange and Lime’ bead challenge!!
TCGC
ISGB
