Kasey Klaus, Past President, Membership Coordinator, Volunteer Co-Coordinator

Hi – my name is Kasey Klaus; and I am an addict …

My beading story begins way back, in the last century … My then, boyfriend (now husband), bought me a bracelet … “here, it will help with your pain” He was referring to the near constant pain, resulting from a repetitive motion injury, in my right arm. The bracelet was magnetic, and the sign had stated that this would be beneficial for pain relief. I was skeptical (to say the very least – my initial response was “piffle – what a crock” – he smiled). However, it was pretty – and a gift from him, so I wore it.

I wore it EVERY DAY. And life progressed – I noticed nothing – but, again, it was pretty – and a gift from him.

SIX months passed – I wake up with excruciating pain in my right arm. “Where’s your bracelet?” – sure, enough, it’s gone! We were able to re-construct the last few days, and figured that it had been about 4 days gone. The where is not important – just that it’s gone, and the pain’s BACK. I had not actually noticed the pain being GONE, but I certainly noticed when it returned. WOW – apparently magnets really DO help with pain. Cool – I need more, lots more, bracelets, of course – but also anklets (super pain, arthritis).

Unfortunately; I am Welsh, and apparently directly descended from an ancient oak tree. Which is to say, that my ankles are HUGE – no mass produced item will ever fit! I must do it MYSELF – yeah – something new to learn. Off I went – to my LBS (Bead Happy in Oregon City – sad to say, now closed). Purchased some magnetic beads, some pretty colored beads and a spool of stretchy cord. And, an addict was born!

I made bracelets, and anklets… I went back to Bead Happy, and took a class (Fran Paulman, I miss you). I learned Layered Right Angle Weave (I understand that this is not your typical 1st learning experience). Apparently I never do anything the easy way – but I really loved this technique. I made dozens of pieces – using many different types of beads …

Time moves on… it’s nearly 20 years later … I have taken many classes – and acquired many patterns, and tutorials. I cannot seem to stop!  -  And, frankly, I do not WANT to stop!

pbsmembership@gmail.com

Debi Burns, Secretary

It was over 30 years ago a co-worker needed to practice teaching someone how to bead before she taught a class. Debi was that lucky someone, and it changed her life. She’s watched the beading world change so much over the years. One of the best changes is being able to Zoom bead with friends all over the world. While living in the San Francisco bay area she can still be active on the Portland Bead Society’s board.

Over the years, Debi has been active in many artistic communities and endeavors. When not beading, she weaves, spins, knits, dyes, makes felt, and lace. She’s also spent several years working with enameling and glass (fused, torch and hot glass). Now most of her “glass” work is made up of tiny round seed beads. Debi has always loved accessories, so jewelry is her primary focus. 

pbssecretary13@gmail..com

Lomoar Majorowicz, Treasurer

I’m Lomoar, a native North Westerner.  I love to learn and create, beading, knitting, crochet, wire, fiber, sewing, it’s all a joy.  The Portland Bead Society is an oasis of interesting, talented, fascinating creators.  I look forward to the monthly meeting the fellowship, the wonderful presenters. 

My beading journey began when I purchased an anklet at the Portland Saturday market.  It was small, I took it apart and lengthened it to fit.  I was hooked, who could resist the gemstones, Delica’s, Swarovski’s and all the other sparkly wonders.  The way you can weave beads to into a fabric or use wire to sculpt.  All the possibilities. 

lomoar@gothyo.com

Janis VanWyhe, Fundraising Chair, Grants & Education Awards Coordinator

I have belonged to the PBS for a number of years. Carrie Sakai recruited me to the organization. I am now retired from the bureau of Land Management where she and I worked together. I have been a part-time/wanna be beader since 2003 - if one does not count beaded embroidery on shirts back in the 70's, or the beads in macramé of the same vintage. My best friend from college got me interested in beading. Only after I retired did I really make time to create more, but of course I had also been building a stash since 2003. Lately I have also become fascinated with polymer clay. Both together seem like a nice mix.

jlvanwyhe@gmail.com

Carol Geraghty, Program Coordinator

Amy Taylor, Gathering of the Guilds Chair

Amy grew up in Rural Oregon and was a very creative child.  She always had a project going on.  After raising two daughters and finishing a career, she turned to beads as a creative outlet.  She joined the Portland Bead Society in 2019 and has enjoyed it's many inclusive events and learning opportunities.  After emerging from the pandemic she started helping with the 2021 Gathering of the Guilds show and took on that role on the PBS Board of Directors.  

Amy also enjoys bike riding for transportation, hiking and backpacking, and traveling to see the wonders of the world.   

Diane S. Hertzler, Auditor 

Diane began beading about thirty years ago after trying her hand at every other type of art and craft that used a needle and thread. Over the years, she started creating her own designs which have been published in many outlets. She is best known for her jewelry and ornament designs using SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS and Delica Beads.

She has taught nationally for a number of years at the Bead & Button Show, SWAROVSKI at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, Bead Fest around the country, and individual bead shops from San Diego CA to Bangor ME. Her publishing credentials include the cover of Bead & Button Magazine in April 2015, Beaded Ornaments for the Holidays and Beyond 2009, Crystal Jewelry Inspiration, from the CREATE YOUR STYLE Ambassadors 2013, and numerous articles in Bead & Button, Beadwork and Step By Step Beads Magazines. 

She is also featured in the Convergence Magazine, which showcased artists from around the world in an international design competition. Her combined design, with Australian lampworker Wendy Hitchins was titled Aboriginal Dreamings, and was the only bracelet published. Diane is a Certified Zentangle Teacher, and has incorporated this technique in her bead designs.

The greatest joy of beading for Diane is watching her students attain enough skill to begin loving the craft as she does, and she has been rewarded several times by seeing her students become instructors themselves.

Marty Willey, Advertising Chair

Several years ago a seemingly trivial gift of stone bead chips introduced me to the world of stones and design. That gift as well as the encouragement and guidance of a knowledgeable friend, launched me on my bead journey. The materials and figuring out how best to marry a variety of elements into ‘happy’ designs is what inspires me. The reward has often been the pleasure of seeing my creations worn by my clients. 

My work has been represented in galleries in New York State as well as the Albany Institute of History and Art, the Vanderbilt Mansion museum shop in Hyde Park, and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass. Most recently my designs can be found in the Attic Gallery, Camas and Aurora Gallery, Vancouver.

I moved to Camas about 3 years ago to spend more time with my family which includes 2 amazing granddaughters. The PNW is a far cry from upstate New York. I don’t mind the rain and enjoy the people and opportunities for social dancing.

martywilleyjewelry@gmail.com

Ann Jacobs, Librarian

Hi everyone!
I'm officially taking over as librarian.
The library is online. For more information click HERE:
If there are specific books you'd like to check out or a category you're interested in, send me an email and we will get them to our next general meeting.
We are working on making the library easier to search, and I'll give an update as this progresses.
There are over 1000 books in our library!
I'm excited to be able to volunteer again, Even as a remote position.
Thank you, Ann Jacobs

pbslibrarian@gmail.com

Marilyn Grock, Newsletter Publisher, Retreat Co-Chair

I have been beading for over 20 years.  It started as a hobby I could do while “watching” football with my husband.  I love working with peyote stich and creating beadwoven bracelets and amulet pouches.  I retired from teaching special education and moved to Portland the summer of 2016 so that I could play with my grandchildren and pursue my beading passion.  I am excited to have found the Portland Bead Society and people who are like-minded about beading.

portlandbeadnewsletter@gmail.com OR pbslibrarian@gmail.com