The San Diego Bead Society
(SDBS) is a non-profit organization
founded in 1993 by a small group
of bead enthusiast that met sporadically at a home in San Diego.
The organization was first called
the “Bead Society of San Diego
County” and its original mission
was to provide a supportive, positive environment for members,
and to inspire and encourage
the advancement of beading.
Going back to the
formation
years,
having attended the
Beaded Universe
Symposium at the
new Mingei International Museum
(MIM) in San Diego’s Balboa Park
in 1997, SDBS
founders
considered the museum as
the perfect place for
the organization’s
meetings.
Fortunately, the MIM adopted the idea and
in January 1998 the
SDBS met for the
first time there and
has ever since been
shops help promote the SDBS’ handsomely housed, and affiliatAnnual Bead Bazaar —the back- ed with this prestigious museum.
bone of the organization’s fund- Regular meetings are held on the
ing efforts—, and offer discounts third Saturday of each month,
to SDBS members which is an except July and December.
added bonus of membership.
The SDBS continues to provide
opportunities for beaders and collectors to meet, learn, and participate with others who share a
love of beads. It does this through
its many excellent programs that
include some of the greats of the
bead world and top quality classThis mission still rings true today
es. The organization is also fortuas the organization celebrates its ‘Demoing at the Fair’ is one of nate to count amongst its mem21st Anniversary and continues the special events the SDBS has ber many outstanding teachers
serving the community as an ed- been involved with since 1999 and designers. Please take just
ucational resource in the artistic, and it never fails to entertain. a moment and peruse the SDBS
historical, and intercultural signifi- SDBS members that volunteer Members Showcase featured at
cance of beads and related crafts. to share with fairgoers diversi- www.sdbeadsociety.org.
fied beading techniques get the
The first general meeting was opportunity to speak with people The SDBS also maintains a comhosted by a local bead store, on from all over the states and other prehensive library available to
November 1993. This event set countries. The SDBS also do- membership. The library has a
the tone for the lasting relationship nates three awards to fair entries variety of publications aimed at all
the organization has maintained in the beading category, which in- sorts of beaders, from beginner to
with local bead shops in San Di- clude memberships to the society. advanced,
ego County. In fact, most of the
In return, the SDBS lists local
bead stores on its website (sdbeadsociety.org) and distributes this list to attendants that
stop by their booth at the Home
and Hobby Exhibit Center during the San Diego County Fair.
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