ABOUT BSGNY: A BRIEF HISTORY

The Bead Society of Greater New York (BSGNY) was founded in January 1988 by a handful of students taking a beading class at NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology taught by the now, world renowned artist (and BSGNY founding member), Yoshie Marubashi.

Today, BSGNY boasts over 500 members including a Chapter in Japan. We are a diverse group of avid beaders from hobbyists to professionals, many of whom are nationally and internationally renowned instructors and represented in major publications and competitions.

Our mission is to enlighten and educate the public on the historical and cultural influence of beads.  To achieve this goal, we offer our members a wide array of programs and benefits which include:

  • Monthly lecture series covering topics such as the history and cultural importance of beads, beadwork design and techniques, gemology, art photography, the bead industry, and even the ergonomics of beading
  • Discounts on workshops taught by world renowned and local bead artists
  • Bead library and discounted book sales
  • Special events such as “Tips and Tricks”, “Annual Garage Sale” and private museum tours
  • Discounts at local bead shops
  • BSGNY newsletter and  e-mail updates

We provide a showcase for our members’ creativity and talent in events such as our World of Beads Exhibits I - VIII, invited presence at the exhibition and sale at the famed Takashimaya in Tokyo, educational exhibit at NYC’s Donnell Library, participation in the annual NYC Soft Flex Glass Art & Bead Festival and the Manufacturers of Jewelry Suppliers of America’s (MJSA) New York Expo.

BSGNY is active in several outreach programs such as BEADS for Education sponsoring the schooling of Catherine Musele, a Maasai child in Kenya; cash donation sent to the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina; initiated Operation: Beads for Kids contributing enormous amounts of beads and stringing materials for children in Iraq; and contributions of bead supplies and books from our members to assist missionaries working with women in Haiti

BSGNY Past Presidents:
1988 - 1990                        Esther Esses
1990 - 1996                        Ethel Wagner
1996 - 2000                        Julia Putterman
2000 - 2002                        Peggy Frank
2002 - 2005                        Seena Travis
2005 - 2007                        Barbara Aubrey
2007 - Present                   Cynthia Stern

BSGNY is a nonprofit organization.  Our Board and all of our programs are run solely by our member volunteers.  We thank our members for stepping up to support the Society and look forward to welcoming new members to join us in this wonderful passion of beading.