The Bead Society

The Bead Society The Bead Society, of Los Angeles, founded in 1975 by an enthusiastic group of bead collectors, jewelry designers, importers and scholars.

The Bead Society, of Los Angeles, the oldest of its kind in the United States. In June of 2020, we celebrated our 45th anniversary. The Bead Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports the study, discussion, and shared knowledge of beads in the United States and throughout the world. The organization has undergone many changes over the years as we grew from fifteen to more than 30

0 strong. The Mission of the Bead Society is to disseminate the knowledge of beads and all related subjects. Our goal is to bring that knowledge to as many people worldwide as possible.

The Toho Challenge, 2026
08/10/2026

The Toho Challenge, 2026

Gorgeous!
08/10/2026

Gorgeous!

What comes to mind when I say the words ‘Peking Glass’?

If you’re picturing those lovely Czech-made speckledy marble-like green beads produced throughout the late 1800’s and into the 1930’s, then DITTO- SAME! -but DID you know that Czech glassmakers were ACTUALLY trying to emulate a traditional form of Chinese glassware that originated in Qing Dynasty Peking?

You DID? Of COURSE you did. 😅

Pals, I’m ashamed to say that I was TODAY years old when I learnt about the jaw-dropping art of TRUE Peking Glass: and I STILL can’t get my head around how they did it! 🤯

The process would begin with a glass core object- almost like a pearl nucleus. The core object would be sequentially dipped into multiple pots of molten glass, creating an agate-like strata of colourful layers.

Having sketched an intricate design on the smooth glass exterior of the object, (in this case, a bead) the artist would then use micro-tools to cut away the background, thus creating a raised colour-contrasting foreground; exposing the subtly glowing matrix of transparent and opaque layers within.

Bloody MINDBLOWING. 👏👏👏

Thought to be crafted at some point in the 1990’s by an unknown Chinese artist, THIS sumptuous selection was sourced by the BRILLIANT YJSHOPCanada (whose Etsy shop is a veritable FEAST of antique African trade beads, reproduction Phoenican heads and ancient glass treasures.)

WELL worth a look (and I am NOT being paid to say this! 😅)

P.S- Does anybody know if this person has an Instagram page? I can’t find it! 😫

https://www.etsy.com/shop/YJSHOPCanada?

Michele Manzella treats us to a workshop on making tassels! Sept 8th at 7:15 pm in person (Culver City)!
08/09/2026

Michele Manzella treats us to a workshop on making tassels! Sept 8th at 7:15 pm in person (Culver City)!

​ Michele Manzella's Tassel Workshop is our September Bead Society Membership Meeting event to kick off the fiscal year. On September 8th at 7:15 pm we will hold the workshop in the Kaizuka room,...

08/09/2026

They did it! Here is a video of the Upper Midwest Bead Society and their wonderful Peace Chain! Check out the roll towards the end of the video that unraveled all the bead chains! Exciting!

Long time member. Joan Eppen, passed away at the end of May.
07/28/2026

Long time member. Joan Eppen, passed away at the end of May.

Joan Eppen , a long time member of the Bead Society passed away on May 30th, 2026. While she was not one of the founding members, she was definitely a long time member of the Bead Society. Joan was...

This is a bit too realistic for me! Ants!
07/20/2026

This is a bit too realistic for me! Ants!

During an unfulfilling decade spent working in tech, ants began forming in the mind of Tanya Korobkova- each tiny insect representing a different anxiety, phobia or unrealised creative thought.

One day, Tanya quit her job, picked up a needle and- I quote-

“Started sewing like someone was chasing me.”

Korobkova KEPT on sewing, drawing those ants one by one from the confines of her overwrought brain onto soft textile cords designed to grace the wrist and adorn the neck.

The results are unsettling, yet UNFATHOMABLY captivating: regimented lines of bristling bead-bodied crawlies that draw you in with their gleaming abdomens and make you itch with the spidery realism of their tickly textile legs.

Entitled ‘Arkan Cords’, Korobkova’s antworked pieces put me in mind of a stitchified version of Japanese Shibayama insects; Trompe l’oel-worthy inlaid gemstone beetle bodies made flinchingly real with the addition of engraved limbs and thread-fine feelers.

Aside from Katrin Veegen’s LEGENDARY anodised titanium brooch, Tanya’s Arkan Cords are- without a doubt- my NEW favourite iteration of the wearable ant! 😄 🐜😄 🐜

https://www.instagram.com/omage_lab/

International Beading Week is coming up July 25th-August 2nd.
07/20/2026

International Beading Week is coming up July 25th-August 2nd.

Hey Beading Friends! International Beading Week is coming up July 25th-August 2nd. I'll be doing a free Zoom for the Guild on Tuesday, July 28th. I would love for you to join! It's completely free. You can sign up here: https://members.beadworkersguild.com/shop/events/eventdetails/332

Very striking!
07/20/2026

Very striking!

A spectacular example of traditional Turkana beaded adornment. The assembly and stacking of beaded necklaces is used to great effect.

Address

P. O. Box 1456
Culver City, CA
90232

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