Beads, Beads, Beads!

by Lisa Liddy, Southwest Regional Director

We make them, we sell them, we create with them, we collect them...

While I join in the last two activities enthusiastically (the latter to the extreme perhaps...), it is always interesting to me what other bead makers collect and how they store and display those treasures. I have two "Stashes." One is made up of those beads and sets of beads that I purchased to make jewelry from. Jewelry to sell and jewelry to wear myself. Those beads occupy a couple of drawers in my studio and a box on my desk (where right now that group mocks me and dares me to make something worthy of the their glassy goodness!). I keep them there in plain sight to inspire me and to make me smile, thinking about the colors and shapes and designs. These days they make me feel a little guilty that they are languishing in a box.

My other stash is the collectible bunch...the beads that I've either been gifted, traded for, or purchased for no other reason than to "have and to hold." They have special meanings or stories behind them. I cherish those stories and the memories behind them because of the friendships they also represent. Some are tied to special visits or trips. Others come from artists whose work I admire for the their technique and the originality that comes through in each bead or pendant or sculptural piece. Some were just too beautiful to pass up, or their purchase filled a need for something beautiful in my life that day. Not everyone in my life understands the collection and that's OK. I collect for myself!

How to showcase these treasures? My stash has outgrown my display. My office needs revamping and finding more ways to surround myself with my treasures is on my "to do" list. I want to keep them where I can see and enjoy them during my work day, much of which is spent in front of a computer monitor. Currently, my stash is overflowing a wooden display stand, in need of dusting and of more space.

I know I'm not alone in the hoarding...er, collecting of glass treasures. How do you display your favorite pieces? What's the story behind some of them? We'd love to see photos of your collections! Show us your stash! Send in a photo to Kris Schaible and we'll share them in an upcoming issue of the Bead Release.

One thing is for sure, our group is aptly named! We are the So Cal Flame Surfers. Our group was originally formed by women who live in Southern California near the Pacific Ocean, and partake in sports like surfing, diving, and paddle boarding. And of course, they all surf the flame at the torch.

It's only recently that I made the connection with the literal meaning of surfing the flame in our club's name. I was taking a class with J.C. Herrell, her Heat and Shaping Workshop, when I realized that what I was doing to keep the bead warm and not lose the shape of the bead, was actually surfing the flame! It was a weird combination of an Ah-Hah! moment, and a Duh! moment all rolled into one.

Our chapter formed in 2004, and most of the women who were the founders, still attend our meetings. Most of them were on the Board for at least 5 years or more. Judy Carlson was the President of the Chapter when I reached out from New Jersey in 2011, to find a chapter in the Los Angeles area. She has been a great role model and supporter in my new job as President this past year. Other previous Board Members and ISGB Board Members have also been very helpful as I struggled to learn the ropes. Presently we have 35 official 2014 members, and plenty of others who attend meetings sporadically. Our biggest meeting of the year is our Holiday Bash. Our December meeting attracts lots of lampworkers because we give out a gift such as a lampworking tool, as well as glass samples donated by the vendors. We also have drawings to win donations generously given by our Sponsors for this event.  

Nina Dusedau, President, wearing her Blackbird Singing focal bead

Dee Frey demoing Galaxy Space Marble at CBS Dichroic Studio. Judy Carlson, founding member, looks on

This year we introduced the Mini Workshop into our So Cal Flame Surfers calendar of events. We have quarterly meetings, and had four Mini Workshops as well. The concept of the Mini Workshop was born as a fundraiser that would be fun and beneficial for all involved. The Mini Workshop is taught by a club member who volunteers to share a glass skill they are proficient in. Most of our teachers have never taught a glass class before.The students are required to be dues paying yearly members of our club. The class is Mini, because it only lasts 4 hours. The cost to our members is fair, and the teacher receives a stipend for lunch and carfare expenses. We pay for the rental of the studio venue. The students are thrilled to be together learning or practicing a skill at the torch, and it gives all of us a chance to forge stronger relationships with other club members. The teacher has the opportunity to share their knowledge, and try their hand at teaching in a safe environment amongst friends. It is an amazing experience and a win-win event for our club! A side benefit of the Mini Workshop has been that we have gained many new and wonderful members.

So Cal members watching Dee Frey Demo

Beads from Shelley McLaughlin's Mesh Madness Mini Workshop

The So Cal Flame Surfers are lucky because we have three multi-torch studios nearby. We have Pacific Art Glass, Coatings By Sandberg (CBS-Dichroic), and The Mandrel. Not only do we have access to great studios, we can shop for glass and more, each time there's a meeting!

Traditionally, we have a glass Demo at every meeting. The Board either approaches members to volunteer to Demo, or we ask for volunteers. Most of the time, we have a member give a short demo, and occasionally, we have professionals like Heather Trimlett, Beau Tsai, or Judy Carlson, give us a demo. We were really privileged last month, because Judy, an experienced teacher, volunteered to teach us a Mini Workshop! Other traditions that we adhere to are the themed Bead Exchange, and Show and Tell. We have expanded Show and Tell with a process question for our members to think about before attending the meeting, so that they can share their beads that illustrate their experience. Naturally, Show and Tell still gives us the opportunity to share new work, and the chance to ask for help with our lampworking questions.

Heather Trimlett about to demo at Pacific Art Glass Studio

Heather Trimlett about to demo a hollow bead using her Groovy Tool

Our Board feels that one of our most important functions as a club, is to collect lampworked beads for the Beads Of Courage program. To that end, we encourage our members to donate 5 or more lampworked beads at every one of our meeetings. Our goal is to enrich our lives at the meetings, as well the lives of others through our lampworked donations.

The most challenging part of running a chapter has been getting volunteers for our Board. We vote for new Board Members at our December meeting. Most of our participants have full time jobs, and they are trying to find that balance of time for work, family, errands, craft, and down time. We are always asking for volunteers for our club, so that the club can continue to flourish in these difficult economic times. Unfortunately, without the support of our members, our present volunteers are getting burned out too quickly. Our new Treasurer, Sallie Licata, came up with a great way to address this problem. Since many members don't want to commit to being on The Board for 2 years, we have asked members to sign up just to help out doing a small job at individual meetings. We hope this will encourage all members to take a turn at volunteering in the near future.

This coming year, our plan is to have Meet-Ups that are glass event related. There are some wonderful events within a few hours drive for most of us, that would be fun to attend together. We already post the most local events on our webpage, socalflamesurfers.org and on our FaceBook page, but this would be a planned get-together aside from our meetings. It would be great to have a chance to just hang out together for hours and hours, enjoy the work of other flameworkers or glassblowers, and chat to our hearts content about glass, glass, glass! It would be like the opportunities to socialize at our meetings, but in a new and beautiful location, with lots more time to schmooze and get to know each other.

Karen Gassaway with her Christmas ornaments during Show & Tell

You can join us on FaceBook by clicking the FaceBook button on the top right corner of our socalflamesurfers.org Home Page. We welcome you to check us out, and join us for the fun of it!

So Cal Flame Surfers Board Members:  

Nina Dusedau, President

Jane Frey, Vice President

Sallie Licata, Treasurer and Hospitality

Dee Frey, Secretary and Hospitality

Kathy Spignese, Membership

Nina Dusedau, Vendor Liaison, and Mini Workshop Coordinator

Karen Fox, Featured Artist Chair

Carey Conley, Web Master  

-Nina Dusedau