Special Projects
Christmas Ornaments, November, 2020
Members of the Maine Bead Society beaded Christmas ornaments to decorate a tree for the Auburn Shriner's annual Festival of Trees fund raising auction. Rose Campbell, owner of Butler's Beads, Auburn, provided beads and inspiration for our participation in this project.
Mountain Girl Bracelets, August, 2021
Members of the Maine Bead Society joined together via Zoom and used the techniques of bead embroidery to create bracelet cuffs. They were inspired by the original designs of Regina Payne. Whether novices or highly experienced practitioners of this beading method, our members produced these beautiful bracelets:
Members of the Maine Bead Society joined together via Zoom and used the techniques of bead embroidery to create bracelet cuffs. They were inspired by the original designs of Regina Payne. Whether novices or highly experienced practitioners of this beading method, our members produced these beautiful bracelets:
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Beaders:
Patti Bosken
Suzanne Bruno
Candace Emerson
Diane Hastings
Ann Hemenway
Barbara Hepburn
Museum of Beads, Portland, Maine
Bead Squares, 2021, Opening Display, 2023 and Masked Ball, 2024
Members of the Maine Bead Society maintain a cordial and fun relationship with the Museum of Beads in Portland. Three of our Members are docents there. Other interactions between our Members and the museum are described below.
Several Maine Bead Society Members participated in a project sponsored by the Museum of Beadwork. Beaders designed and created six inch by six inch beaded squares using various beading techniques. The squares express the beaders varied reactions to the 2020 viral pandemic. This large "quilt" of squares includes 541 individual pieces from individuals representing 18 countries. The completed project can be viewed on the museum's website:
museumofbeadwork.org/pages/beaded-square-project
Bead Square Beaders and Designers:
Ann Hemenway
Patti Bosken
Candace Emerson
Nancy Kleckner
Meghan Wakefield
Ann Hemenway
Patti Bosken
Candace Emerson
Nancy Kleckner
Meghan Wakefield
Kelly Hudson's beadwork was selected for display at the
Opening of the Museum of Beads, 2023.
Nancy Kleckner designed and beaded a mask for the Masked Ball, 2024.
Beaded Name Tags, 2021
MBS Members Designed and Beaded Name Tags
Examples Are Below
MBS Members Designed and Beaded Name Tags
Examples Are Below
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Celebration of Maine Project, 2022
Maine's bicentennial was in 2020, but due to the Covid pandemic, our celebration was delayed until 2022. Various MBS Members designed and beaded symbols of Maine. Marcia Whitney constructed a display for them and it was exhibited at Caravan Beads in Portland and Butler Beads in Auburn.
Maine's bicentennial was in 2020, but due to the Covid pandemic, our celebration was delayed until 2022. Various MBS Members designed and beaded symbols of Maine. Marcia Whitney constructed a display for them and it was exhibited at Caravan Beads in Portland and Butler Beads in Auburn.
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First Friday in Portland, October 7, 2022
First Friday is a monthly arts and cultural event in Portland during which members of the public visit local venues showcasing the many sides of creativity in the city. Caravan Beads featured the MBS and our Members were on hand to inform participants about our group and its activities and display beaded items made by our members.
First Friday is a monthly arts and cultural event in Portland during which members of the public visit local venues showcasing the many sides of creativity in the city. Caravan Beads featured the MBS and our Members were on hand to inform participants about our group and its activities and display beaded items made by our members.
Marcia Whitney, Nancy Kleckner, Ann Hemenway and Kelly Hudson
Cinderella Project of Maine, April, 2023, 2024
The Cinderella Project provides prom dresses and accessories to Maine high school students who would otherwise not be able to attend these important events. Members of the Maine Bead Society beaded and donated many necklaces and earrings. Examples are below.
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Beading Challenges
Each year the Program Chairperson selects a theme for Maine Bead Society Members to interpret and design, creating a work of beads.
"Four Seasons" Beading Challenge October, 2023
MBS Members beaded projects to represent the changing seasons of Maine.
Each year the Program Chairperson selects a theme for Maine Bead Society Members to interpret and design, creating a work of beads.
"Four Seasons" Beading Challenge October, 2023
MBS Members beaded projects to represent the changing seasons of Maine.
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Beaded by Diane Hastings
Designed by Katie Dean
Designed by Katie Dean
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Beaded and Designed by Nancy Kleckner
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Beaded by Sally Shepardson
Designed by Heather Kingsley-Heath and Sally Shepardson
Beaded and Designed by Johanna Hawlof
"Inspired by Existing Artwork" Beading Challenge October, 2024
Calla Lillies, Beaded and Designed by Nancy Kleckner.
Nancy was inspired by a bouquet of calla lilies designed by Callie Dyer, florist, of Callie's Flower Shop and Design Studio. Ms. Dyer created the original bouquet for the "Art in Bloom" exhibit at the Portland Museum of Art featuring Alex Katz wedding dresses from the early 1990's.
Butterflies, Designed by Theodora Seimeni and Beaded and Arranged by Sally Shepardson.
The wall hanging was inspired by the work of William Forsell Kirby (1844-1912), an English entomologist who worked at the British Museum of Natural History.
Colorway Bracelets, July 2024
Using the peyote stitch, MBS Members beaded bracelets using the same pattern by Susan Arrighi Designs and the same six colors of delica beads. However, each Member followed a unique sequence of the weaved beads, producing many variations of the pattern. The results and a list of the weavers are below.
Using the peyote stitch, MBS Members beaded bracelets using the same pattern by Susan Arrighi Designs and the same six colors of delica beads. However, each Member followed a unique sequence of the weaved beads, producing many variations of the pattern. The results and a list of the weavers are below.
Beaders
Sally Shepardson, Linda Marchand, Diane Chaloux, Rosemary Weymouth, Suzanne Bruno, Rudy Jones, Nancy Kleckner, Becky Huckle, Ann Hemenway, Anne Smith, Diana McFarland, Diane Hastings, Candace Emerson, Mary Berce
Sally Shepardson, Linda Marchand, Diane Chaloux, Rosemary Weymouth, Suzanne Bruno, Rudy Jones, Nancy Kleckner, Becky Huckle, Ann Hemenway, Anne Smith, Diana McFarland, Diane Hastings, Candace Emerson, Mary Berce