On March 4th, several of our members attended the Chevron Earring class with Ginger Shockey to learn wire wrapping techniques.  Everyone had a great time, and some were even challenged to work out of their beading comfort zone.  BSNM member Mary Ellen Merrigan has written a wonderful blog post about her experience in the class here: http://www.maryellenbeads.com/index.php/2017/03/05/bust-comfort-zone.  Be sure to check it out!

At our February 27th meeting, BSNM member and accomplished jewelry designer Geri Verble gave a fantastic presentation about the elements of design.  Geri noted that "Most of us start out making jewelry by following instructions or copying ideas from books and magazines.  The next step is to learn how to design jewelry that is truly your own design".  During her talk, Geri showed examples of the fundamental principles of design, including color, shape, texture, line, and space, and then she explained how each design element enhanced the jewelry.  After her presentation, we all had the chance to put what we learned to the test!  We divided into several groups, and each group was given the same selection of beads.  Geri charged us with creating a strung jewelry piece that demonstrated the techniques we had learned.  The resulting pieces were all unique and beautiful!

 

January 23rd was our monthly BSNM meeting and our annual holiday party!  The theme was cowgirl glam.  Our members really got into the spirit and dressed up in their cowgirl (and cowboy) best.  

 

We enjoyed great food provided by several of our members, and we gave away some exciting door prizes, including some beautiful picture frames decorated by member Jill Bartel.  

 

We also voted on the winner of our Cowgirl Glam Bead Challenge.  Members decorated cigar boxes in a western theme, and we had many beautiful entries.  

 

Mary Ellen Merrigan was our first place winner with her entry named "Back in the Saddle"  

Thank you to Patti Farley,  Jill Bartel and everyone who participated in the planning, decorating, and cooking.  We would also like to thank Lipstick Ranch for donating the gorgeous rustic pendants that each member received!

On January 4th and 11th, Bead Society members had a blast learning how to tie fishing flies with Dave Patton from Healing Waters.  Healing Waters is a non-profit organization that aids disabled military members using outdoor activities such as fishing.  If you are interested in learning more about this organization, you can read about it on their website, http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/.

 

 

The Bead Society of New Mexico had a last minute opportunity to join with the Albuquerque Fiber Arts Council (AFAC) to fill in the Albuquerque International Sunport display area located in the ground floor walkway joining the terminal to the first floor parking garage.  Works from all AFAC guilds are represented and will remain on display until February 2, 2017.

   

       

        

      

  

After a year of hard work by all of our members, our Christmas tree to benefit the Carrie Tingley hospital was completed!  All of the BSNM members contributed handmade beaded ornaments and beaded garland, and member Jessica Dowell helped to create the bead-covered snowflake topper.  Special thanks to Margo Field for donating the beautiful artificial tree for us to decorate!  The tree was sold for the Carrie Tingley Festival of Trees.  All proceeds from the sale of the tree benefit the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation.

 

On Friday, October 28, Margo and Howard Yee hosted an Artist's Reception for Marcia Balonis, a former Starman Trendsetter.  BSNM members plus a group from Roswell's Tokay Gallery attended.

Marcia Balonis, far left, plus the Roswell group!  That's Juanita Finger, owner of Tokay Gallery in costume on the far right.

BSNM member Vicki Kay, dressed as a sparkling cabachon!  (Sorry Vicki, I couldn't make this rotate so you are standing upright.)

Marcia taking a break to pose for a photo at the reception.  Note all the Over The Moon bracelet colorways she is wearing!

Here's Marcia in action, teaching her Over The Moon Bracelet.

The class taking a break to check out some amazing wire wrapping.

Although we weren't able to finish the bracelet in class, Marcia's instructions are so complete and easy to understand that it will be easy to complete it at home.

Congratulations to all the BSNM members who entered the New Mexico State Fair!  As you can tell from the photos below, our results were outstanding!

     

A few photos from our August meeting, featuring Linda Sweeny as our guest speaker.  Linda purchased beads from many of the artists represented in the Bead Museum that closed in Glendale a couple of years ago.  She has augmented that purchase with her own amply supply of lampwork beads and is opening the Sweeny Bead Museum in Glorieta, New Mexico which is located off I-40 between Santa Fe and Las Vegas. Linda is also finalizing a beautiful teaching school at her home so we can look forward to having amazing instructors visiting in 2016.  Here are some photos of the beads she brought for sale:

        

A standard feature of our monthly meetings is the Show 'n Tell table where members can display their recently completed work, items from classes they've taken.  This month was mostly earrings, although we have one member who is still enchanted (bewitched?) by her visit to Roswell.

     

The July 23 bus trip to Roswell was a huge success, and the BSNM even made the front page of the Sunday Roswell newspaper!  Here is a link to read the full article:  Roswell Daily Record, July 24, 2016.  A very special THANK YOU to Program Chair Patti Farley for organizing this event, providing breakfast at 5:30 in the morning, providing fun alien-themed gift bags for each attendee!  It was a long day but very much enjoyed.

In addition to visiting Tokay Gallery, the group visited Happy Jack's bead store (inventor of Lacey's Stiff Stuff), the Alien Museum, and a winery.  Here are a few photos from the trip... although photos from the wine tasting were omitted to protect the innocent.

     

The bus, Tokay Gallery, and the necklace one of our members brought home! 

     

   The Alien Museum

    


The group paying their respects to the Alien Crash,

           

 and two serious alien fans.