Fraser Valley Beaders

About the Fraser Valley Beaders

Established in early 2002, the Fraser Valley Beaders is an informal (currently, no dues!) group of very talented (if we do say so ourselves) bead obsessed crafters and artists that gather monthly to talk beads, show off our latest work, share skills, snack, and (occasionally) bead.

As the name indicates, we have members from all over the Fraser Valley (in British Columbia, Canada) including: Abbotsford, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, Vancouver, and Victoria (although Victoria is not officially part of the FVRD, several of our members hail from there. In 2005, a sister group, the Vancouver Island Bead Group was formed that may be more convenient for Islanders). An offshoot of the Canadian Beaders Mailing List we decided that a monthly face to face meeting would be fun. The group includes beginners, teachers, artists and retailers.

In addition to all the camaraderie, addiction support and eye candy; we also gather together to pool our shopping budgets and buy beads in bulk at wholesale prices, as well as providing cohorts for cross-border shopping expeditions.

So, if you would like to join (or just meet) our little group of happy beaders, just send email to our fearless leader or just turn up to a meeting (a heads up that you are coming would be nice, but not required 8-). There is also the mailing list.

Upcoming Meetings

The next meeting is: August 30th, 2015 (1:00-4:00)
Location: Maker Labs, Vancouver
Program: Laser cut jewelry
The next meeting after is: September 27th, 2015 (1:00-4:00, New Westminster Public Library, Plaskett Room upstairs)
Challenge: Autumn Colours
The next meeting after is: October 25th, 2015 (1:00-4:00, Maker Labs)
Challenge: Do something Halloween-y
The next meeting after is: November 29th, 2015 (1:00-4:00, New Westminster Public Library, Plaskett Room upstairs)
Challenge: Annual festive holiday ornament exchange
There is no December meeting
Meetings will resume in January.

To volunteer to lead a skill share, email Carol at least a week beforehand.

Other Activities

September 20-21: Richmond Gem & Mineral Society Show

October 3-5: Fraser Valley Bead Show

March 13-14, 2015: Fibres West

March 27-28, 2015: Creative Stitches & Crafting Alive

April 10-12: BC Rock and Gem Show

Members

We're thinking of putting up some artist profiles for members that don't have websites, but until we pull that together, here's some links to members that do have websites, and a link the beginnings of member's gallery:

Topics in Beading

We talk about anything and everything to do with beading, but some particular favourites include: