The purpose of the Bead Society

• Advance the study of and education about beads
• Encourage and promote public appreciation for beads and the art of beading
• Disseminate information about beads and beading
• Develop and administer programs concerning beads and beading

History

The Bead Society of Northern California (BSNC), began in August 1977 and is the second oldest bead society in the United States. We became a non-profit organization to further our position as an independent, educational organization for people interested in the collection, history, design, production, and exhibition of beads. 

Cultures, places, and people around the world throughout history have been linked by beads. Technically any object that “has a hole” and can be threaded and then used to adorn a person, animal, or place qualifies as a bead. The history of beads is estimated to be over 100,000 years, but archeological sites are rapidly changing this claim, constantly moving the date even further back in human history.

The BSNC members are involved with techniques ranging from bead stringing, off loom beading using various stitches to achieve detailed bead work, as well as metal work, wire working, polymer clay, precious metal clay, bead quilting, and glass bead blowing, 

BSNC as a non-profit organization over the years provided grants to various community groups and organizations which involve beads in their activities. One that has involved a great number of people, previously not involved in beads, is NIAD Art Center, a non-profit located in Richmond that works with artists with disabilities. With help from the BSNC, their staff was able to learn about beading and passed that ability on to their students. As a result, their art center was able to greatly increase the sale of beaded items and jewelry in the students’ sale room. More recently, we donated  to the Museum of Beadwork in Portland, Maine.