Fire & Rain Glass Bead Society is a glass
beadmakers' group based in western Washington
state. Our group started in the fall of
2005. We generally have
meetings on the second Sunday of every
second month, at 1 PM, beginning in February
each year.
Meetings generally include demonstrations
of different kinds of glass, tools,
or techniques. We discuss topics of
concern to beadmakers, such as safety
issues or preferences in bead release.
We have snacks. (We are not above luring
people with food.) We have bead exchanges
- you bring one, you get one. We have
some of the best beadmakers in the world
(of course!). Also, by virtue of being
in the Pacific Northwest, we have access
to some of the best glass suppliers
and toolmakers. In the past, weíve received
glass samples from Frantz Art Glass
and Olympic Color Rod. Sometimes we
have cool door prizes: reactive frits,
new glass colors, and even Chateau Ste
Michelle wine. We've begun scheduling
beadmaking sessions to benefit Beads
of Courage, a group that helps children
in cancer recovery programs. We've met
to torch, we've met to chat, we've met
to commiserate, we've met to laugh,
we've met to learn, we've met to share
...
We are officially a chapter of the
International Society of Glass Beadmakers
(ISGB). However, Fire & Rain and ISGB
are separate organizations; membership
in one does not include membership in
the other. Our chapter officers must
be ISGB members. This way, we get the
benefit of affiliation with a large
organization without some of the headaches;
we can mostly run things in our own
way.
Membership in Fire & Rain costs $20
a year for one person or $30 for a family.
We are working on getting discounts
with local flameworking-supply vendors
for our members. We are also arranging
to have a table at the Northwest Bead
Societyís bead bazaar in 2007, where
Fire & Rain members can sell their beads.
We're evaluating whether to buy a table
at the ISGB Gathering bead bazaar in
2008, in Oakland, CA. Our future plans
include arranging excursions for members
as well as bringing in teachers who
may not typically travel to the West
Coast to give classes.
We hope that youíll come play with
us.
"Click
here to download membership application"
Click
to download Acrobat Reader
