1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at approximately 10:20 am.

2. Welcome to new members: Welcome to Pat Baker (demo artist) and Wale Apparatus, plus new members all the way from Richmond, VA! Approximately 30 people attended the meeting.

3. Membership Coordinator's Report (Darragh Brady): Darragh could not join us but provided an updated listing of the membership. Seven new members joined at the meeting! Yeah! Plus several members paid their dues. All dues paid between now and January 2006 cover calendar year 2006. Dues are DUE 1 January.

4. Secretary's Report. (Deborah Gibson): July meeting minutes were posted on the website & sent to the membership via yahoo groups email; highlights reviewed.

5. Treasurer's Report. (Sharon Lieberman): Sharon reported that we have approximately $7,947 in the treasury; that includes undistributed profits from the NOVA bead bazaar sales.

6. Web Site report (Janet Olsen): Janet reported that there's a review of Touchstone Enameling Class with Linda Darty <http://www.sgb-midatlantic.org/features/feature9_enameling.html>; details on a call for entries in the 2005 Bead Review; another call for entries for Bedazzled's Where Beads and Inspiration Meet <http://www.beadazzled.net/bookprospectus.html> -- a book "To showcase and document the extraordinary creativity and diversity of necklace design with beads." As always, Janet welcomes your bead tips and "how-to's" - we have lots on the website-check it out!

7. Vice President's Report (Debra Dowden-Crockett): Debra reported that Kate Fowle Meleney will be teaching her advanced class, "Is This Glass," the last Saturday and Sunday, 28 - 29 January 2006 -- $360 per person. Please let Debra know if you're interested so we can get a head count early.

As a reminder, you must be a paid up member to get priority consideration. We are also pursuing a three-day (3) certification PMC class with Barbara Becker Simon for sometime the last week in March 2006. We are working with Jim Smircich for another date for a 2-day glass class. We also solicited ideas for meeting demos and future classes. Cherry Brown has agreed to host our January 2006 meeting at New Dynasty Glass in Annandale, VA, featuring the film, "World on a String," and a boro demo by Michael Higgins.

8. President's Report (Bob Miller): Bob reported that the Board is undertaking a project to create a permanent documentation of Board responsibilities/duties. We hope to put all aspects of chapter business in writing and post on the website. We already have class guides (student, teaching assistant, and teacher ) and hope to have guidelines for group tables at bead bazaars, arranging demos/classes, treasurer's operations, and other business so that future boards will have a roadmap for success!

9. ISGB Regional Director Report (Nolly Gelsinger): Nolly reported on the switch from New Orleans to Kansas City, MO, for the 2006 Gathering and also that Julie Farr was approved for another term as Executive Director, ISGB. Nolly also reported that the ISGB website will be undergoing renovation, including some changes to the forum! Stay tuned! For more ISGB news, visit the website, www.isgb.org.

10. Old Business.

a. Status of Buyers group for purchase discounts (Private side - not part of the chapter). Lynn Hume was not able to attend, but several members participated in a group buy of palladium leaf and the Deanna Griffin Dove/Brad Pearson book, The Art of Beadmaking: Dots (<http://www.artofbeadmaking.com/>) and reviewed on our website: http://www.sgb-midatlantic.org/book_reviews.html#Art of Beadmaking ) .

b. Jamie Fine circulated a sign-up list for persons interested in a group buy of Etch-All ($25/pint compared to $40 retail). Juliet Page also circulated a list for persons interested in buying select Lauscha glass (her brother lives in Germany)-you can contact Juliet at julietpage.com. If you are interested in a particular item for a group buy, please email Lynn Hume at lynn.hume@sligocreek.com.

Mickey Kunkle mentioned that winestoppers were available from Gala Source. If there's sufficient interest, we could obtain a case of 48 stoppers at $5.75 each - check it out <http://www.galasource.com/>

c. Chapter table at Northern VA Bead Bazaar, Oct 1-2, 2005, results: Linda Spence/Sharon Leiberman reported that there were 8 participants who sold a total of $3,600. The next Bead Bazaar will be held at New Carrollton, 12-13 November. Email Linda Spence if you're interested at lkswolf@aol.com.

d. Chapter table at Bead Fest, October 7-9: Janet report that five chapter members participated bringing in approximately $2,600. There was discussion whether the dividends were worth the investment of time, money, effort, etc. Of note is the fact that next year's Bead Fest coincides with the NOVA Bead Bazaar. Nolly suggested we consider the Jewelry Arts Expo or other Bead Fest venues.

e. Report on Washington Bead Museum and BSGW fundraising gala: Bob reported that Bead posters may still be available (photos of select beads of over 300 donated for the gala. Bob also encouraged those who donated beads and who have not yet sent in their donor bead registration to the Bead Museum to please do so at your earliest opportunity. Let Bob know if you're interested in a poster. A picture of the poster is on our website here: <http://www.sgb-midatlantic.org/images/BSGW-gala-beads_large.gif>.

f. SGB-MA Logo Contest Update: Deborah reported that she is still working on getting information and details posted to the website. In the meantime, be thinking of how to graphically capture the essence of our chapter in a logo!

11. New Business.

a. Dates for calendar year 2006 were established: 21 January, 22 April, 29 July, and 21 October - mark your calendars.

b. Problem Bead: Margaret Smith presented a bead that was made with lilac rose frit (gaffer glass) and asked why it resulted in a milky finish. Deanna Griffin Dove opined that it may be devtritrification caused by contact with a cold brass tool, recommending that Margaret heat the brass tool before pressing the bead into shape. Deanna also cautioned against using Val Cox' "Silver Lake" frit without a mask - the silver content could be hazardous to your health! Sharon Lieberman also asked a question regarding the best metal to use in fabricating bead/wire sculpture. Suggestions included copper tubing available at McMasters Carr, Small Parts, Michaels, and Terra Firma retail stores.

c. Show n Tell: Jamie Fine passed around a bead made on a cone shaped mandrel offered by Arrow Springs - it sells for approx. $15. Janet showed an extra large flat lentil made by Cattwalk's (<http://www.cattwalk.com>) newest 2-inch press - it's HUGE!!!

d. Bead Donation to Benefit Habitat for Humanity: In light of several recent natural disasters, the chapter discussed if there was a way for us to make a difference. After much discussion, we voted unanimously to offer members the opportunity to donate beads to the next Bead Bazaar at New Carrolton to benefit Habitat for Humanity. This is a great opportunity to find homes for those orphan beads and/or get top dollar for one of your finest creations. If you're interested in participating, send your beads (name/price attached) to Linda Spence or drop them by the Bead Bazaar first thing Saturday morning.

e. Kansas City or Bust!: Deanna Griffin Dove canvassed the membership for interest in chartering a bus for the trip to Kansas City for the Gathering next summer. Deanna will obtain information regarding minimum ridership, cost per person, and duration of the trip. Stay tuned.

12. Bead of the Quarter : The challenge was for your seasonal best, and if possible using one of Zoozii presses. Jamie Fine won first place with her large autumnal lentil and Bob Miller was runner up with his silver capped abstract focal. See them here: http://www.sgb-midatlantic.org.

13. LUNCH

14. Bead of the Quarter challenge for next quarter is your most absolutely stunning creation between now and the next meeting! Let your imagination soar!

15. Pat Baker Cold Worked Silver Bead Cap Demo: Pat Baker, a member of the Gem Cutters Guild, provided a detailed demonstration of how to make bead caps and rivets for beads, as well as "S" hooks and ear wires and provided detailed handouts packed with "how to" information. Pat had all her equipment on hand such as her Foredom flexible shaft, and tools for polishing, dapping, and disc cutting. Pat recommended using fine silver because it is softer and doesn't tarnish like sterling. Pat also prefers using ball burs rather than drill bits to drill holes into the domes used as caps. In that regard, Pat recommends doming the cap first, then drilling the hole, cup side up. Pat also discussed Argentium-a type of silver that is made without copper. She also prefers thin/medium wall silver tubing. If you use a ballpeen or planishing hammer, sand and polish it to a fine sheen before using to prevent transferring unsightly dents onto your silver. Pat teaches classes offered by the Gem Cutters Guild. We all thoroughly enjoyed her demo and greatly appreciated her sharing her many talents with us.

16. Great meeting : visit the website to see the pics!<http://www.sgb-midatlantic.org/minutes/pictures_oct_2005.htm>.

17. Next meeting: January 21, 2006!

18. Adjournment.

Minutes archive is here.