Greetings Members!  Here's the minutes from
the April 29th meeting!

1. 10:00 a.m. - Call to order.  Debra Dowden-Crockett, Vice President, call the meeting to order.  Bob Miller was unable to be present.  We welcomed several new members and had approximately 30 attendees.

2. Membership Coordinators Report - Darragh Brady was unable to be present, but sent an email indicating that we have 73 paid members for 2006 out of a total roster of 136 members.  We have 12 unpaid members since
2003; 12 unpaid members since 2004; and approximately 37 unpaid members since 2005. Please check your checkbooks to see if you're among those unpaid members.  If so, email Darragh & send her your check with up-to-date email address, telephone, and address (she'll update you in the system & forward your check
to Sharon).  We will present a vote to the chapter regarding dropping members who are past due more than two years.  REMINDER: Darragh cannot change your email address on the yahoo list -- you must go to the yahoo
groups online to make the change so you can receive the minutes and other official announcements.  Make checks payable to SGB-MA.

3. Secretary's Report. (Deborah Gibson): January meeting minutes approved and posted on the website.  Next meeting dates to be determined.

4. Treasurer's Report. (Sharon Lieberman).  Sharon reported that we have $7,330 in our coffers.  Sharon presented information regarding obtaining a Chapter VISA card/debit card.  After favorable discussion, a motion was carried to proceed with obtaining the card.  This will make purchases of equipment/gas, etc. easier than
check writing.

5. Web Site report (Janet Olsen): Janet Olsen continues to keep the website a dynamic, up-to-date, resource for not only our chapter members, but other lucky souls who wander in and browse.  As always, forward your "hot tips" to Janet and write a review of the latest tool, DVD, new glass, or book so we can all learn.

6. Vice President's Report (Debra Dowden-Crockett).  So far this year, we've hosted KATE FOWLE-Meleney in January; Barbara Becker Simon for PMC and wirework in March; and just completed the Jim Smircich May 6-7;
on the horizon is...          
       a. Larry Scott, September 23rd.  If you missed Larry the last time we hosted him, please don't miss this chance.  He's a great instructor and very generous with his knowledge and humor!  Visit his website:  www.larryscott.net <http://www.larryscott.net>          
      b. Tink Martin, November 10 - 12.  Juliet Page is the point of contact for the Tink classes.  Tink plans to offer three (3) 1-day classes -- the first class will be on hollows, second class on vessels, and the third class is a hodgepodge of tips and tricks to improve your beadmaking.  Visit Tink's website: <http://www.blackswampglassworks.com/>. Email Juliet is you're interested: Juliet@julietpage.com
<mailto:Juliet@julietpage.com>.

7. President's Report (Bob) - It's time to nominate/select new Board members.  We're looking for exciting, energetic members who will carry the torch (pun intended) for the 2007-2009 term.  Please be thinking about
volunteering your name for consideration. Remember, we're only talking 8 meetings over a two-year period and hopefully lots of classes and demos.

8. ISGB Regional Director Report - Nolly Gelsinger (National update).  Nolly reported on the Board meeting held in Chicago and hiring of a new Executive Director, Gwynne Rukenbrod.  Visit the website to read more about her:  www.isgb.org <http://www.isgb.org>.  
Nolly also reported on a postcard project aimed at raising the public's consciousness regarding "real" beads
by original artists and "knock-off" beads by wannagetrichquick copycats!  The ISGB website is also undergoing a renovation and hopes to be more user-friendly and inviting (a la WetCanvas!).  Nolly reminded members to
submit photos of their work for consideration for publication in the Bead Release.  This is a chance to get national, and even international recognition, of your beads. And finally, Nolly and Lisa St Martin both reported on the Gathering to be held in Kansas City.  Details are on the ISGB website.

9. Old Business.
         a. Bulk Buy updates: Jamie Fine reported that the supplier for the Etchall order has not responded to email
messages; we will pursue another supplier, possibly even Wale, for a new bulk buy - stay tuned.  Also, Deborah made delivery on the bulk buy of Renaissance Wax and still has a few containers left.  Email Deborah if you are interested or she'll bring them to the next meeting.
         b. SGB-MA logo contest: update (Deborah & Amy Phifer):  Deborah gave a quick update.  We still need ideas for a slogan to accompany our chapter name (which we decided to keep last time - Society of Glass Beadmakers - MidAtlantic).  Send your ideas to Amy: plumcreative@mac.com <mailto:plumcreative@mac.com>.
         c. Bazaars: Three chapter tables were reserved for the Bead Society of Greater Washington Bazaar, 6-7 May, held at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland.  Stay tuned for the results - I heard the chapter did very well!  A big thank you to Linda Spence for being the point of contact and organizer for the bead bazaars.  Next opportunity will be in November.

10. New Business.
         a. Problem bead presentation.  Nolly presented a problem regarding bead ends.  If all else fails, you
can always cover bad ends with a bead cap! :-)
         b. Classes/Demos: We circulate the list of requested demos/classes for updating; the majority vote for next meeting's demo goes to mastering complex twisties and latticino.
         c. Bob asked that we solicit a volunteer to represent our chapter at the BSGW Board meeting.  A big thank you to Terry D'Addio for stepping up to the plate.  Also the BSGW Gala this year is June 17 and will be featuring donated polymer beads.  The BSGW and Bead Museum of Washington, D.C., are now a joint venture.
If you've never visited the museum, put that on your must do list!  Visit the website: <http://www.beadmuseumdc.org>
         d. Teaching Assistant (TA) certification: TA guidelines; certification guidelines; classes, compensation, etc.  We posed to the members present the idea of certifying teaching assistants and the type of incentives we
could offer those who take on the task. Being a TA requires that the person be knowledgeable of studio setup, including a 10 torch oxygen and propane manifold.  The TA's primary responsibility is safety in the studio paying close attention to gas/fuel consumption, switching out tanks even if the students are in the middle of a bead, keeping the room ventilated, and assisting the teacher and students as necessary.  The consensus of the group was to design a certification class for those interested. Regarding incentives, we explored a variety of options including one for one payback; i.e., TA a class, take a class free (of equal value) or pay half price class fees.  The
cost of the TA seat would be passed on to the other students.  We agreed to come up with a certification outline and to seek the help of our very own ISGB fire marshal, Lisa St Martin.  Another item for us to consider is purchasing quick disconnects to make equipment set up quicker and less likely to have leaks.
         e. Chapter table at the Gathering.  Nolly suggested the chapter consider reserving a table at the Gathering
for members who would like to sell their beads there.  An 8-foot table costs $150.  If there is enough interest, the members could share the burden of carrying the bazaar table equipment (lights, cloth, chapter brochures,
credit card machine, etc.)  If you are interested in this venture, please contact Nolly@nollysfolly.com <mailto:Nolly@nollysfolly.com>.
         f. Great product for carrying stringer or small amount of glass from www.mcmaster.com <http://www.mcmaster.com> .  Check out the description below.  You can also obtain them from Small Parts, Inc.
Cut-to-Length Tubes  Round Tube with Square End Caps   Round End Cap      Use scissors to cut this clear, semirigid polyethylene tubing to the length you need. Tubing is oil and moisture resistant. Wall thickness is 0.022" (unless noted). Come in 4-ft. lengths.       Round tubes use red vinyl end caps (sold separately) to close the ends of the tubes. Square tubes won't roll away. They can be stacked, and the flat surface is easier to
label than a round surface. PVC end caps (sold separately) close the ends of the tubes.  Square Tube
       g. Other News:  Lisa St Martin announced that the Northern VA Bead Society hosted a bead auction and also that the Bead Museum is hosting a lecture series.  Lisa also reported on the Gathering to be held in Minneapolis in 2007 and Oakland in 2008.  Also, check out offerings at the Carlisle School of Glass (<http://www.carlisleschoolofglassart.com/Mar ch06.htm#article4>).  Lisa will be teaching there in May.  Also, is your visiting near Millville, N.J., check out Wheaton Village - a very glassy place! <http://www.wheatonvillage.org/calendar> .

Pat Baker mentioned that the Baltimore Bead Society is offering a class in photography May 20.  Visit their website: <http://www.baltobead.org/>

         h. Bead Review 2005: Several of our chapter members were featured in Deanna Griffin Dove and Brad Pearson's most recent undertaking to showcase beadmakers.  The book is still available. Check it out @
http://www.artofbeadmaking.com/br_2005.html <http://www.beadreview.com>  Don't miss your chance to submit work for Bead Review 2006. It will include works created between October 2005 and September 2006. 

11. Bead of the Quarter - Janet Olsen won first place with Lisa St Martin taking second.  See the pics on the our website.

12. Lunch

13. Two part demo:
         a. Mike DeMasi of Wale Apparatus showcased several torches available on the market today providing his opinions of the pros/cons for the beadmaker.  Mike also introduced their own new Firebird torch.  The Firebird is a close cousin of the Minor burner, but new & improved and oh so sweet. So if you're in the market for a new torch,
check out the Firebird!
         b. "Mastering Metals" Demo featuring Jamie Fine, Janet Olsen, and Debra Dowden-Crocket.  Demo included silver foil/leaf, gold leaf, copper leaf, palladium, and silvered ivory stringer.  All members present received a goody bag of sample leaf.  A big thank you to Janet Olsen, Jamie Fine, Debra Dowden-Crockett and Deborah Gibson for
putting the demo together.  Janet provided a great string of sample beads made with various metals as well as a great pictorial handout for members to peruse.  They stuffed all the goody bags as well as made silvered ivory stringer.  Janet donated the McMaster tubing/caps to make the handy stringer containers (see website above).

14. We all shopped til we dropped thanks to Wale Apparatus for setting up shop. Remember, when Wale's there, you get a discount and save on shipping so keep your glass needs list up-to-date for our next meeting and order early from Wale.

15. Next Meeting . . . was supposed to be 29 July, but we may switch the date to 5 or 12 August - stay tuned.  It's going to be another great demo on twisties so come prepared to Twist & Shout! 

Deborah Gibson
Secretary