We aim to educate and promote the art of Glass beadmaking in New Zealand, preserve the traditions of the art form and encourage the continued renaissance of contemporary glass beadmaking.

Presidents Note 2009 – Lisa-Jane Harvey

Welcome, I’d like to start by thanking you for considering joining the NZGBA.

We are the first international chapter of the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers). This is a very proud accolade as we are pioneering the unique art of lampworking.

The primary focus of the NZGBA is to network New Zealand lampworkers by creating a community that supports, motivates and promotes our lampworking community within New Zealand and abroad. We also focus on educating the public on lampworking thereby creating a discernable consumer for our art beads. Finally, we aim to preserve ancient techniques while providing a platform to innovate and design new techniques that are uniquely kiwi. We also hope to entice international participation thereby exposing our members to international initiatives, designs and flavours of art forms and share ours.

In light of the above objectives of the NZGBA we have various initiatives throughout the year that assists us with our tasks.

1. Bead’nz – Our quarterly newsletter that is created to keep our community networked and informed on matters relating to the above objectives
2. NZGBA.org.nz website which serves as a vehicle to educate and network the community
3. Annual Exhibition to showcase members talents and educate the public on our art
4. Annual Glass bead competition, a fabulous opportunity to showcase your development as a beadmaker
5. A lending library of DVDs and books promoting the education of our members and assist in members upskilling their talents
6. Networking of business sponsorships and business members offering value to not only our members but strengthening the New Zealand lampworking industry thereby offering our members local access to all things pertaining to lampworking
7. Public educational activities such as the Release a Bead project, craft fairs, markets and business networking functions to create a discernable educated public awareness of lampworking
8. Annual fundraising activities to boost our financial ability to sustain all the above initiatives

There is so much value in belonging to a like-minded community there to support, educate and create a sustainable market for new lampworkers, full time lampworkers and hobbyists.

Thank you again for considering becoming a member, I hope the above will drive you to becoming a valued member of our miniature art glass community… welcome aboard J

Regards, Lisa-Jane Harvey