South Jersey Bead Society upcoming events

SJBS Trunk Show - Limited Time Only! (13 May 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Special Event:

SJBS Trunk Show Limited Time Only!

SJBS received a generous donation from a former president of our bead society, including seed beads - 11's, 8's and 15's. Treasures/Delica/Aiko beads, cube beads in various sizes, shaped beads, pearls, Swarovski crystals, cabochons, stringing material, gauze bags and findings! Almost all of the seed beads are full tubes.

Whether you are making inventory for Spring/Summer Craft Shows or bringing your creative ideas to fruition, these items are must-see and priced to sell!

The SJBS Trunk Show is on display for a limited time until May 31st at the home of Lois Linker in Cherry Hill NJ.

Contact Lois to arrange a date/time to shop some of these amazing finds:

lolink@verizon.net or 609.706.3202.

All proceeds support SJBS and our education and community service initiatives.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Thank you!

Liisa Turunen Savannah Necklace & Earrings Class (16 May 2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

SJBS Welcomes back

Liisa Turunen!

Join us for the Savannah Necklace and Earrings class

with Liisa Turunen from Finland on Zoom!

May 16 2026

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Savannah is one of Liisa's most-worn pieces. It has an easygoing pretty vibe with its laid-back row of sparkly crystal chatons and soft textured fringe that looks both polished and playful. It is light weight and comfortable to wear. The textured fringe lay softly on the neckline and capture the light for added sparkle!

The components are fun to make and versatile in designs. Stitches used are primarily Peyote and Netting. Liisa's chain uses 3-sided right angle weave, but students can bead your favorite chain technique if RAW isnt' your cup of tea.

Skill Level: All are welcome!

Kits: $99 per kit, plus shipping, available in 3 different color ways (L to R): Black & Nickel; Matte Turquoise & Gold;

Nickel & Gold.

Each kit contains supplies for a necklace and pair of earrings: Japanese cylinder sz 11 and 15 seed beads, SS39 crystal Chatons, 6mm and 3mm pearls, 3mm crystal Bicones, 3mm Fire Polish beads, magnetic clasp and ear wires.

A Supply List will also be included in the registrant confirmation email.

Kit Orders: Programs Chair Lois Linker will contact confirmed registrants about kit order(s). Deadline for kit orders is April 30.

Bonus: Liisa is offering 20% off any kit on her website for class registrants only! The code will be good for one week after class.

Fees:

$75 SJBS earlybird member rate (until April 10)

$85 SJBS member rate (effective April 11 to April 30)

$95 non-member rate (effective to April 30 deadline)

Please note:

Class size is limited
JOIN or RENEW SJBS membership BEFORE registering to qualify for the member rate
NO cancellations for ZOOM classes
Supply list will be sent with acknowledgement of paid registration
SJBS appreciates that designers/instructors put a great deal of work into their creations, patterns, and illustrations. Unethical use, sharing and/or distribution breaches the SJBS Code of Conduct. Noncompliance may result in membership termination.

May 23 SJBS UFO and TOHO Peace Chain Day! (23 May 2026)

Sat, 23 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Have FUN and Get Things Done at the SJBS UFO Day

and TOHO Peace Chain Day!

Is your UFO (UnFinished Objects), WIP (Works In Progress), PHD (Projects Half Done), or BEP (Bead Education Projects) stack growing?

Pick a project and bring it to UFO Day!

It’s a dedicated ‘bead in’ with SJBS kindred spirits to whittle down that stack.

OR - Have you been wanting to make a few links for the SJBS TOHO Peace Chain and haven't gotten to it yet?

Just bring whatever supplies you’ll need, along with your lunch, to the Camden County Library Voorhees.

There is no charge for the event, but you must register to ensure ample seating by May 20th!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Up for a 'road trip' after? Let's plan to head over to the final days of the SJBS Trunk Show at Lois Linker's! It's less than a 10 minute drive from the library! Directions will be provided to attendees who wish to participate.

Note: This is a SJBS Members-Only event. If you are not a member see Membership Information Benefits and How to Join

May 30 Bead Rendezvous Owl Be Beading (30 May 2026)

Sat, 30 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Bead Rendezvous

May 30

SJBS Members are invited to Bead Rendezvous with Owl Be Beading on May 30 in person and on Zoom!

Join the fun and learn the Ecuadorian Leaf stitch!

We will explore the basic stitch, then embellishments for the sides and

top to jazz it up a bit!

It's a great stitch for bracelets, earrings and even a rope for a necklace.

The centers can be left open or filled with crystals, fire polished beads,

or pearls.

The basic stitch just needs two (2) colors of size 11 seed beads.

You must register using this link to reserve a spot for both in-person and Zoom participation.

https://www.owlbebeading.com/contact

The store is open from 10 AM to 6 PM; come in person or Zoom for all or part of the day!

Food and drink can be brought in – you can use the refrigerator, microwave, and toaster oven. You can also order from a local deli if you would rather not pack a lunch. All drinks must have secured lids on them to minimize spills.

A 10% discount is applied to all purchases in the shop, except for consignment items, class registration, and gift cards.

Supply List:

size 11 seed beads in 2 colors
Size 11 or 12 beading needle, thread of choice, mat, scissors

NOTE: Members are not required to make the proposed project, and are welcome to work on a project of their own.

SJBS Annual Raffle 2026 (04 Jun 2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:30:00 GMT

SUNKEN TREASURE 'The Black Pearl'

by Helen McIntyre

A Helen McIntyre original design, the intricate beaded SUNKEN TREASURE 'The Black Pearl' was created exclusively for SJBS and generously gifted by the artist to support our education and community service initiatives.

SUNKEN TREASURE 'The Black Pearl' is an Octahedron with eight triangular faces. It was born from Helen's explorations using the Cellini Peyote technique with diverse geometric shapes (triangles, squares, pentagons). Her unique talents with shape combinations, color and bead size variations create the beautiful swirls, undulations and sparkle in this truly amazing piece.

SUNKEN TREASURE originally appeared in the UK Beadworkers Guild Journal, and won the vote for the readers' favorite project in the first 100 issues!

SUNKEN TREASURE 'The Black Pearl' is constructed entirely of beads and black pearls. It measures approximately 4- inches tip-to-tip in all directions. The bead loop hanger adds approximately 2-inches. Value: $400.

The artist resides in Knebworth, a village and civil parish in the north of Hertfordshire, England.

See more of her amazing creations in her Etsy shop.

Drawing on June 4, 2026.

You need not be present to win.

$5 per ticket, 5 tickets for $20, in person or online.

Last day to order tickets online is June 1, 2026.

All proceeds to benefit the South Jersey Bead Society.

No substitution of prize will be made and no cash will be given in lieu of the prize.

License #: RA-25-0070. ID# 29-5-39869

2026 Annual Auction (04 Jun 2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Join the fun at the SJBS Annual Auction

- our biggest fundraising event of the year!

Participate in-person or via Zoom to support SJBS educational programs, library, and community service activities.

Choose from many prizes for beaders and artisan jewelry lovers — handcrafted finished jewelry, designer kits with instructions, inspiration collections, and tools!

Click Here to See Prizes

Two ways to participate and buy tickets:

In person on June 4 at the Katz JCC: Check out the prizes and buy tickets on-site, then drop them in the brown bag of the item number(s) you hope to win. Allocate as many tickets per item as you wish.
Zoom: Check out the prizes, choose a Ticket Purchase option by 'registering' for this event, and pay by PayPal. Prior to the event, a SJBS Auction Committee member will email your ticket numbers, ask how you'd like to allocate them, then drop them in the brown bag of the item number(s) you would like to win.

The deadline to buy tickets online is May 29th.

Prize drawings begin promptly at 7:15 p.m. If your number matches the number drawn, you win that prize! This is a hybrid event, but you need not be present to win. Prizes will ship to U.S. addresses for a shipping and handling charge to be paid by lucky U.S. winners, unless pick-up arrangements can be made. No international shipping.

Questions: Please contact Lois Linker.

Whether in-person or Zoom, we look forward to seeing you and thank you for your support!

License # RA26-0010

SJBS 2026 Bead Retreat with Cindy Holsclaw (23 Oct 2026)

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMT

2026 Bead Retreat with Cindy Holsclaw!

October 23-25, 2026

SJBS is delighted to welcome Cindy Holsclaw back to teach Bead Retreat 2026!

Cindy Holsclaw has always been fond of geometric structures. After many years of exploring these mathematical forms in modular origami, in 2006 she learned that they could be made with beads! From then on, she was hooked. In 2009 Cindy began writing patterns for her own designs, then dove into designing and teaching beadwork full-time.

With a background in academia and doctorate in biochemistry, Cindy takes an analytical approach to design, exploring different bead shapes and variations on established beading techniques. As an educator, Cindy challenges students to learn something new in every class. Read more about Cindy, her awards and publications here: https://www.beadorigami.com/

Cindy has two stunning projects in store for us...

Moons of Saturn necklace in 4 color ways:

Loops and Links necklace in 3 color ways:

KITS: Mandatory - Moons of Saturn $90; Loops and Links $65.

SKILL LEVEL: intermediate to advanced. Students should be familiar with CRAW and peyote stitch, and comfortable working with size 15° seed beads.

TRUNK SHOW and Special Promo: Cindy will offer 10% off of a purchase of five or more items on her website. Besides that, Cindy will be bringing a selection of trunk show kits that will be available to purchase, and many of these kits are not available on her website.

VENUE: The 2026 Bead Retreat will be held at the Hampton Inn in Absecon NJ. Single and double rooms are available.

Earlybird Registration Special by May 15th:*

Registration includes project instructions, weekend overnight accommodations, and meals Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast:

Earlybird Single Rate: $575

Earlybird Double Rate: $540

* $100 deposit due by May 15th; balance of full payment due by

June 15th.

Regular Registration after May 15th:**

Registration includes project instructions, weekend overnight accommodations, and Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast:

Regular Single Rate: $650

Regular Double Rate: $615

** payment in full due by July 15th.

Cancellation Policy.

Last date to cancel with a refund is July 15th.

Please Note:

• Space is limited to twenty-two (22) registrants.

• SJBS Bead Retreat is a members-only event. Join or renew membership before registering to attend:

https://www.southjerseybeadsociety.org/sys/website/?pageId=1029838

• SJBS appreciates that designers/instructors put a great deal of work into their creations, patterns, and illustrations. Unethical use, sharing and/or distribution breaches the SJBS Code of Conduct: https://www.southjerseybeadsociety.org/page-1394269 Noncompliance may result in membership termination.