The SDBS also grants free
admission to its Bead Bazaar to
active military and families.
The SDBS also played a very
important role in the remembrance efforts for the victims of
the terrorist’s attacks on 9-11
through the Bead Quilt, a work
of collaborative art now part of
the permanent collection of the
National September 11 Museum
and Memorial in New York City.
In total, the Bead Quilt has 576
squares created by 500 beaders, from nine different countries. It was on view at SDBS’
Annual Bead Bazaar in 2005.
Bead Quilt
might not
have made it
all the way to
NYC for the
5th anniversary of the attacks where it
was exhibited
at the annual Voices
of September
11 Family
Conference,
an annual
meeting held
for the families of victims, the
survivors and rescuers of 9-11.
ciety) or blog (http://sdbeadsocietyblog.blogspot.com).
But what has remained constant
throughout all these years is
the organization’s efforts ensuring that beaders and other
bead and jewelry artisans get
opportunities to meet, interact,
learn, and share the love of our
craft, a task that has only been
possible thanks to the many
volunteers that have powered
and propelled the SDBS into the
wonderful Bead Society that it is
today.
The SDBS has definitely come a
long way since its humble beginnings 21 years ago with a handful of members. Today social
media plays an important role
in maintaining its 160 members
and interested bead enthusiast
informed about SDBS’ meetings,
programs and classes through
its website (www.sdbeadsociety.
org), its Facebook page (https://
www.facebook.com/sdbeadso-
In an effort spearheaded by
SDBS member Rosa Meyer,
one of 30 coordinators around
the globe in the Bead Quilt
Project, 50 Southern California
beaders donated 59 squares.
Although not all the beaders
were members of the SDBS,
the organization is proud to be
part of a community of beaders
that so generously poured their
time, talent and heartfelt help
make the Bead Quilt what it is
today. And, without the generous
financial help of the SDBS, the
RitzyToo.com | RitzyToo! | October-November | 9