Bead & Button – October 2019

bead s up

What’s Happening >>

BEADING

TRENDS, TIPS,

NEWS, REVIEWS,

PROJECTS,

AND MORE!

LOOKING FOR

SPIRITED BEADS?

́If you have beading news, tips,

or events, send emails to editor@

beadandbutton.com, and put “Bead

Soup” in the subject line. Psst: we work

four months ahead of the publication date.

EVENTS

THE CULVER CITY

BEAD BAZAAR

October 27, 2019

Culver City, CA

beadsocietyla.org

Meet artists, vendors,

and people who enjoy

beading! Download

the postcard for

discounts.

IROQUOIS

BEADWORK

CONFERENCE

September 13–15, 2019

Niagara Falls, Ontario,

Canada

otsiningo.com

Presentations, workshops,

beadwork competition, and

other activities.

BEAD SHOP HOP

September 6–8 and

13–15, 2019

Los Angeles/Orange

Counties – Riverside/

San Diego Counties

sclbsa.org

Don’t miss this southern

California beading tradition!

Enjoy shopping, and make

projects at select stores.

THE BEAD AFFAIRE

October 19, 2019

Watertown, MA

beadesignerintl.org

40+ venders with all things

bead-related. Find unique art

glass pendants, vintage beads,

and much more!

What’s the best way to spread

the enjoyment of beading?

Your love of beading truly shows in the
responses! Susie Nick-White tells us, “I’ll
give a stranger a bracelet — especially
someone who looks like they are having
a bad day. Their reactions are priceless!”
Others shared teaching experiences
and more gift-giving ideas.

Since we are sharing B&B memories
throughout our 25th anniversary, we
thought it would be nice to get to know
you a little better, too. On Facebook/
Bead&Button, we asked:

Societ

y

Spotlig

ht

PERHAPS THEY’RE NEW TO YOU,

BUT GHOST BEADS ARE ANCIENT IN

ORIGIN. These unique items are made from

juniper berries, which are actually female seed

cones. The beads are thought to bring harmony,

peace, and safety, symbolizing the connection

between humanity and nature. Ghost beads are

said to ward off negative energy and protect the

wearer from evil spirits, ghosts, and nightmares.

Betina Smith, a member of the Dine/Navajo

nation, tell us how she, her mother, and her

grandmother keep traditions alive through their

creations at Dzabahe Jewelry. According to

Smith, “Traditionally, juniper berries are collected

after ants have found the berries on the ground.

They nibble off one end, and eat the inside of

the berry.” The result is a hollow and dry form.

Today, berries are often lightly smoked to aid

in preservation. An artisan bores a hole. And the

ghost beads are ready to be strung.

To learn more about the beads, the early

Navajo associations with juniper, and the fasci-

nating artisans, visit dzabahe.com.

AS BEAD&BUTTON WINDS

DOWN CELEBRATING

OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY,

the Upper Midwest Bead Society,

located in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, starts

celebrating its 30th Anniversary on October 6, 2019.

The theme will be a “Mad Hatter Tea Party.” There

will be a contest for the best fascinator (a.k.a., party

hat), and one for the best design using a Jeff Barber

lampworked bead. A quilt featuring a teacup will

also be raff led off. A fun time will be had by all who

attend! For more information, go to umbs.org.

Tell us how your society celebrates!

SEE THE GUIDE

ON P. 16 FOR

MORE NATURAL

BEADING IDEAS