Let the exchange begin

A huge thank-you to the artists who have sent me their beads to exchange. I feel privileged to be able to see everyone’s lovely beads, then send them back out into the world. For those of you who haven’t taken part in the Bead Exchange before, it’s like a lolly-scramble with glass. The process is very simple; every participant makes 10 beautiful beads and sends them to me with a self-addressed postage bag. I package up a random selection for each person, pop them back in the post. It’s exchange excitement when the beads arrive!

If you want to be involved, you still have a few more days to send in your beads. I am not going to divide the spoils until the end of October, so you should get your package by the end of the month.

Just post them to me before the 20th of October: Isla Osborne, 2 Wellpark Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021.

Wow, I got such a great selection of beads in the mail today

Thanks to everyone who participated and especailly Karen for hosting!

I took a picture with the names on first so I won’t forget who made what, and here is a pic of all the beautys together.

I love that there are so many techniques included, wig wags, cubic zirconia, mesh, mandrel implosion, scales, flowers and  an awesome  6cm long bead!

Thanks all

Thanks to everyone that participated in the Inaugural NZGBA Lampwork Bead Exchange.

The bead exchange was extremely successful and would be great to repeat again this year – if there are any takers.

Cons:  The deadline is approaching and 16 beads still need to be created!!

Pros:  Receiving a package of 16 beads from NZ Lampwork artists!!

Here are some excerpts from the feedback I received:

• The number of participants doesn’t need to be limited but maybe a maximum number of beads to make by each person.  Like a lolly scramble – if everyone makes the same number of beads, then the beads are randomly plucked for each person so we all end up with a selection of beads from different artists.  For example if 50 people participated and we each made 10 beads, we would receive back 10 beads from other artists.  It doesn’t matter that we don’t all receive beads from the same people.
• Another suggestion is for each participant to make one very special focal bead to send in as a contribution.  Every participant would then receive one very special designer focal bead as a Christmas gift.  A bit like a secret Santa-you don’t know who you will get a bead from until it arrives.
• A reminder could be sent out for the exchange mid-year so people had plenty of time to make their beads.  I think this time of year is good to receive them though – a Christmas gift from each other.

Perhaps it could be a mid-winter thing next year, to cheer up the dark nights… but I don’t think you should limit the number of participants. Perhaps you could divide us into two or three groups depending on numbers. That way everyone can take part but we don’t have to make quite as many beads.

My comments: it was hard making all those beads, but after I finished them it was a really good ‘accomplishment’ feeling. I’m up for doing it again, how about aligning it with Glass Bead Week in mid May? Just a thought,  if we start early, then I think there shouldn’t be a cap on the number of bead participants. How about a ‘theme’ for the next one?

I would be a starter for and other exchange, I too think Bead Week in Whangarei would be a good time to do another exchange

You can vote online to say when you think the next Bead exchange should be… click here