South Jersey Bead Society upcoming events

SJBS Trunk Show Now Open! (14 Mar 2026)

Sat, 14 Mar 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 20th 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!

Basics & Beyond Class: Bead Embroidery (25 Apr 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:30:00 GMT

BASICS & BEYOND Class: Bead Embroidery!

By popular request! Saturday April 25th!

Come join your fellow beaders to learn and/or improve your bead embroidery proficiency at the Basics & Beyond class.

The class will be taught by awesome SJBS member bead embroiderers who will bring examples of finished items to inspire students with stitch possibilities.

Attendees will learn a variety of techniques:

- 2-bead back stitch and how to bezel a cab;

- a sampling of stitches, e.g. couching, stack stitch, fringe, that add interest and depth to designs;

- how to attach a pin before finishing the backing;

- edge stitch choices for a professional finish.

Each attendee will receive a square of Lacy's Stiff Stuff (generously donated by Lacy's) on which to practice, making a personal sampler for future reference.

Students will also receive a Supply List and a list of print and video resources with confirmed registration.

Registration deadline: Wednesday, April 22nd.

Registration fee: $5 (SJBS Members) $20 (non-members)

Not a member? Join SJBS before you register to get the Member fee: Membership Information Benefits and How to Join

Lunch: Be sure to bring your own lunch and beverage (the break will be too brief to go out.)

Looking forward to seeing you there!

May 2026 SJBS Annual Flea Market (07 May 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

SJBS Annual Flea Market

- where members are the vendors!

Katz JCC - Rear Social Hall

Don’t know why you bought it? Kits that you’ll never make?Finished items you made but will never wear?

Overstock from a craft fair?

Get a table at the SJBS Annual Flea Market to sell those items!

This is the only event of the year when all members can be vendors!

Shopping is open to the public at no charge, but only members can get a free table.

And members who take a table keep 100% of their Flea Market sales!

Reserve your table at no charge by 4/23!

Select "Display Table Please" when you register.

Agenda:

SJBS updates

Election of new board members

Flea Market!

Please Note:

You must reserve a table by 4/23 at no charge to sell your items;
Bring CASH -- Not all members accept plastic or e-payment;

NO ZOOM for this meeting.

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.

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.