1. President Bob Miller called the meeting to order at 10:15.

2. Welcome to new members.

3. Secretary�s Report. (Deborah Gibson): January meeting minutes were sent via yahoo and are posted on the SGB-MA website.

4. Treasurer�s Report. (Sharon Lieberman). Sharon was unable to attend but reported via email that we have $5,475 in our account. The ISGB sent a thank you for the 2005 Gathering scholarship of $500, which was awarded to a member of the SGB-MA.

5. Vice President�s Report (Debra Dowden-Crockett). Debra contacted Michael Barley, Jim Smircich and Kate Fowle regarding possible classes. Michael prefers not to travel and we awaiting responses from Jim and Kate. Debra is also researching sources for Precious Metal Clay classes and other programs of interest to beadmakers.

6. Web Site report (Jan Olsen): Jan reported that Annie Simpson did a �test drive� of several bead presses and the results are posted in a new feature article on the website. Janet requested that members who participated in Leah Fairbanks (or other classes) remember to send her �tips� for posting on the website. In that regard, recommend you browse that section frequently � no matter how long you�ve been making beads, there�s always a new twist someone�s thought of regarding techniques, etc.

7. ISGB Regional Director Report � (Nolly Gelsinger). Nolly reported on award of the SGB-MA Gathering scholarship to Linda Campbell of the Tidewater chapter. Also, deadlines for getting your registration in are rapidly approaching.

8. Membership Coordinators Report � (Darragh Brady). Darragh was unable to attend, but has been regularly sending out notices of members who are current in their dues. Bob reiterated that dues are DUE annually in January ($15 per member).

9. Old Business.

a. The classes taught by Jennifer Geldard were a big success (Feb 24th and 25th and Feb 26th and 27th). There was such great interest in Jennifer�s class that we were able to fill two 2-day classes. Participants raved about what a wonderful instructor Jennifer was and how generous in sharing her knowledge of beadmaking.

Leah Fairbanks class was another big success (April 9th and 10th). Photos of the class are posted on the website.

b. Debra Dowden-Crockett called for volunteers to assist her in planning meeting programs, classes, demos, etc. As always, if you have an idea or want to contribute to making our meetings exciting and informative, please email/call Debra. If we get great input, we�ll be able to provide you with great output! Contact Deborah to volunteer: TheBTBoutique@aol.com 

c. Status of Buyers Group for purchase discounts (Private side � not part of the chapter). -- Lynn Hume and Jamie Fine reported on their efforts to date to provide opportunities for �group buys.� Lynn circulated sign up sheets for Zoozii presses and triple gold leaf at considerable savings. We plan to add a link on the website to post upcoming group buys. If there is an item or you know a vendor who would be willing to offer a group rate for a tool or other beadmaking item, please let Lynn or Jamie know.

d. Jan Olsen reported on the status of the chapter table at Lapidary Journal Bead Fest, October 7-9 status of jurying participants. DEADLINE for submission of pictures for the online jury is June 15th. Jan reminded members that guidelines for applying to participate in the Beadfest are online.

e Scholarships for 2006 Gathering. We�ll be sending check for $500 as decided previously.

f. SGB-MA Membership dues policy. (January 1st each year) all checks should be made payable to �SGB-MA�.

g. Bead of the Quarter winner will now receive a $25 gift certificate to WALE Apparatus (courtesy of Mike DeMasi and WALE Apparatus.

10. New Business.

a. We exchanged ideas for future and new classes, demos, membership retention, membership expansion.

b. Pat Baker reported an upcoming class with Tim McCreight, well known metalsmith. Look for details in her announcement via our yahoo mailing list.

c. Debby Weaver reported on an upcoming event at The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center (http://www.delaplaine.org/). A National Juried Bead and Fiber Exhibit is planned for September and October 2005. Both jurors for this event are nationally recognized, Jane Sauer, fiber artist and bead artist, Joyce J. Scott. Visit the their website for more details.

d. Bob reported on an acquaintance of his whose wife, a beadmaker, recently passed away. The gentleman was looking to sell his wife�s glass supplies. After considerable discussion, the chapter passed on purchasing the glass. Anyone still interested in buying some/all of the glass supplies can contact Bob Miller for more information (if it�s not too late).

e. Linda Spence reported on the SGB-MA chapter table at the Bead Society of Greater Washington Bead Bazaar scheduled for April 23-24. Linda reported that 13 members had signed up.

f. �BEADS OF COURAGE� program. Nolly reported on various chapters participating in the Beads of Courage Program (http://www.azsgb.org/BeadsofCourage.htm). Beadmakers donate beads that are given to children suffering from cancer. Visit the website for more information or do a Google search.

g. Showntell (tools, gadgets, etc.) � featuring the GoldnHot Ceramic heater as a rod/murrini warmer.

h. The Gathering 2005, Louisville, KY. Lisa St. Martin reported that there�s still room in various classes being offered at the Gathering. Details are on the ISGB website (www.isgb.org). She also encouraged members to check out Lapidary Journal�s April issue which featured a good article on how to display your work.

g. Cherry Brown, Owner, New Dynasty Glass Studio, in Fairfax, VA. Cherry gave an overview of the studio she and her son, Michael Higgins operate, which includes classes, monthly open torches ($10/person), and studio/torch rentals. The monthly open torch, �Lamper�s Lounge,� is scheduled for the last Saturday of each month. For more details visit their website at www.newdynastyglass.com. Cherry also reported that John Olsen and Patti Walton are scheduled to teach classes at the studio. Cherry also announced that on Saturday, May 21st, they will be hosting an Open House/Exhibit featuring a private collector�s Murrini collection. Cherry offered to work with us on ideas for collaboration such as a member�s only exhibit.

h. Guest speaker JUDY CARLSON and ELAINE MOORE, Bead Society of Greater Washington (BSGW) and the Washington Bead Museum (http://www.beadmuseumdc.org/), announced that on June 25 at the Naval Archives Theater, they will host the premier of �WORLD ON A STRING� (http://worldonastringmovie.com/, a new four-episode five-hour documentary series produced by veteran film maker Diana Friedberg. World On A String tells the remarkable story of human history through one of mankind's tiniest creations... the bead. It is an awesome saga spanning some 75,000 years.

Tickets for the event (a fundraiser for the D.C. Bead Museum) are $65. Here �s an opportunity to wear/market your favorite beads at an event focused on beads. There will be contests for various categories of beads worn by the designer or collector; i.e., most whimsical, etc. and the winners will be featured at the Bead Museum. Important to note that the designer of the bead must be present to win. There will also be a Silent Auction of beads/services.

Judy and Elaine offered (and the chapter unanimously agreed) to provide 300 commemorative beads to give attendees of the premiere. Members should have received a yahoo announcement from Bob Miller with the details. Details are also featured on our website. NO PENDANTS � only beads with a hole.

Judy and Elaine also announced that the Bead Museum�s current exhibit, �The Eternal Bead,� has been extended until October. We encourage everyone to visit the museum, the museum shop, and even donate a bead for posterity!

We voted that Bob Miller, a member of the BSGW, be the official SGB-MA representative to the BSGW.

11. LUNCH

12. Bead of the Quarter � frit beads. WINNER: Jan Olsen; Runners-up: Michael Higgins and Deborah Gibson. Bead of the Quarter challenge for July is �FLORAL� � any type, sculptural, surface, encased, etc.

13. Open Torch/QandA�We set up three torches. Juliet Page brought stained glass for a demonstration of how to cut thin strips of glass for beadmaking (Deborah did a demo, followed by Juliet). Debby Weaver demonstrated a bead technique using silver leaf. We encourage chapter members to review our �How-to� page on the website for ideas for future demonstrations.

14. Kay Powell, who is moving out of the area, brought her collection of frit samples. Keep in touch Kay and thanks, Kay, for sharing so much with the chapter over the years.

15. Next meeting July 16 featuring Amy Ouelette (Zoozii presses).

16. Adjournment.

Deborah Gibson, Secretary