January 18, 2004

Location: Artistry Glass Studio

Prior to the official meeting, local bead stringer, Karen Anijar presented a large collection of beads acquired from various artists to sell.

Moderator Laurie Nessel called the meeting to order at 2:30, welcoming everyone

A motion was made and seconded to accept last month’s meeting minutes. The motion passed.

Announcements:
§ We had two new members join our ASGB group: James Reagan and Debbie Purdie

§ Beads of Courage: Presented by Cheryl Coburn-Browne

o The Phoenix Children’s Hospital will now be doing this program along with the Tucson hospital.
o The Phoenix hospital is very excited to start this program and needs about 150 purple hearts. These beads need to be made on a 1/8 inch mandrel. If you decide to put the hole through the heart vertically, a wire work loop should be incorporated so it can hang from the necklace.
o The hospital also needs Butterfly shaped beads. These beads are VERY special as they are the closure bead that will be given to parents whose children passed away. Again, beads need to be made on a 1/8 inch mandrel and if the hole is done vertically please wire work it with a loop.
o They will also accept any regular beads, color, bumpy, etc. for beads that children can choose for “special treatment procedures”. All beads can be turned into Jean Donaldson.
o Tracy Baginski suggested that the group pass around a “pledge” sign up sheet so that our group can be motivated and accountable to complete these beads for the “Beads of Courage” program. A sign up sheet was passed around.
o We also discussed putting a post on the WC! and ISGB to get some aid in making these beads. Jodi Lindsey will be posting this info on the forums.

§ Beadventure Scholarship: Presented by Cheryl Cobern Browne
o A scholarship is being donated by Beadventures. This will be an all expense paid trip to Ireland for ONE person. Multiple bead societies will each have one representative chosen from the group and then there will be a drawing from among those submitted.
o The ASGB group will decide at March meeting how we will select this one representative (raffle, election, contest, etc.).

§ Bead Exchange: presented by Tracy Baginski
o Beads from the Textured Challenge were passed out to participants.
o The exchange for March was presented, and will be the making of latticino. Each latticino should measure 5-6” long. An email with more info will be sent out when a full count of participants is available.
o She also discussed the “Stretch Challenge” exchange with Core Formed Vessels. These will also be due in March.

§ Email Exchange: Presented by Laurie Nessel
o An “email exchange” with the Glass Studio at the Sonoran Art Institute was discussed. This would mean that those in our group willing to participate would receive information on workshops at Sonoran Art Institute several times a month via email. The group discussed sending an email out to the ASGB members to allow those that are not interested to opt out of having their email addresses including in this exchange.

§ Treasurer’s Report: Presented by Juanita Dunn
o The Larry Scott workshop and demo brought in $2060.00. Expenditures were $2291.00 leaving the ASGB group cost at $231.00. The group will be getting back some money on the oxygen and propane for the class which should bring the current ASGB accounts up to approx. $2306.00

§ Group Book Purchase: Presented by Laurie Nessel
o Laurie Nessel is organizing another group book purchase.  Judi Binderman will be putting this information on the ASGB website as well as sending out an email with this information. All orders must be into Laurie Nessel no later then Feb. 15th, 2004 to have the books available for distribution by the March meeting.

§ Larry Scott Workshop: Presented by Judi Binderman
o She will be updating the website soon with some tips from his class and demo. She would also like anyone who purchased beads, won beads, or latticino to email her pictures of these for the website.

§ Beadbox University: Presented by Judi Binderman
o Discussed future workshop classes for the Beadbox. If anyone has any ideas for classes or demonstrators please let Judi know: jeb41@cornell.edu.

§ Bulk Purchases: Presented by Raychel Stein
o Kugler Reduction Frit and Black Cullet used in the Larry Scott workshop were discussed. A sign up sheet was passed around for this and more info will be discussed in the future regarding this.

§ Shows: Presented by Raychel Stein
o Alternate places where we can do shows as a group, possibly a couple times each year was presented. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for this please email her: birdsng@hotmail.com.

§ Bead Museum Fund Raiser: Presented by Carol Saker
o She also getting feedback on pricing for booths. If anyone wants to volunteer in helping with show details please email her at: dcsaker@earthlink.net.

§ Bead Bags: Presented by Cynthia Beach-Shelton
Cynthia brought some cute bead bags that are great for shows! The bags have clear spaces in the front to show of your work or others work and the center is embroidered with the saying “Lampwork Beads Are My Life!” She is selling these for $25.00 with tax the total comes to $27.23. She had 20 available at the meeting if you are interested in getting one of these from her please contact her at: glassartbeads@aol.com.

§ Laurie Nessel will be sending out information in the future on a possible second lampworking workshop with Leah Fairbanks for Feb. 23rd and 24rth.

§ Lynn Gustafson announced that Heather Trimlett will be having a workshop on “Amphora’s” at Atristry on March 20-21st. The cost is $400.00 which includes all supplies and lunch.

§ Laurie Nessel and group commended Judi Binderman on her hard work and hours put into the ASGB website.

§Laurie mentioned the rule voted on last November regarding issues coming for a vote before the group.  All items to be voted on must be posted on the next month's agenda, for voting at that meeting.  It was mentioned that this process might be a true handicap for the group, as there may be months in which we do not have a meeting, resulting in critical delays in taking a vote.  This item will be posted on the Agenda for our March meeting, with critical discussion and voting on possible modifications.

§ The ASGB website can be accessed at http://azsgb.tripod.com

Please check this site for the agenda as well as other announcements

§ Next meeting will be held on Sunday March 14th, 2004 at Artistry.

§ A motion was made, seconded and passed to adjourn the meeting

Show and Tell followed the meeting.
Laurie Nessel gave an awesome and detailed demo on Core Form Vessels!

Submitted by Jodi Lindsey