Kasey Klaus, President

Hi – my name is Kasey Klaus; and I am an addict …

My beading story begins way back, in the last century … My then, boyfriend (now husband), bought me a bracelet … “here, it will help with your pain” He was referring to the near constant pain, resulting from a repetitive motion injury, in my right arm. The bracelet was magnetic, and the sign had stated that this would be beneficial for pain relief. I was skeptical (to say the very least – my initial response was “piffle – what a crock” – he smiled). However, it was pretty – and a gift from him, so I wore it.

I wore it EVERY DAY. And life progressed – I noticed nothing – but, again, it was pretty – and a gift from him.

SIX months passed – I wake up with excruciating pain in my right arm. “Where’s your bracelet?” – sure, enough, it’s gone! We were able to re-construct the last few days, and figured that it had been about 4 days gone. The where is not important – just that it’s gone, and the pain’s BACK. I had not actually noticed the pain being GONE, but I certainly noticed when it returned. WOW – apparently magnets really DO help with pain. Cool – I need more, lots more, bracelets, of course – but also anklets (super pain, arthritis).

Unfortunately; I am Welsh, and apparently directly descended from an ancient oak tree. Which is to say, that my ankles are HUGE – no mass produced item will ever fit! I must do it MYSELF – yeah – something new to learn. Off I went – to my LBS (Bead Happy in Oregon City – sad to say, now closed). Purchased some magnetic beads, some pretty colored beads and a spool of stretchy cord. And, an addict was born!

I made bracelets, and anklets… I went back to Bead Happy, and took a class (Fran Paulman, I miss you). I learned Layered Right Angle Weave (I understand that this is not your typical 1st learning experience). Apparently I never do anything the easy way – but I really loved this technique. I made dozens of pieces – using many different types of beads …

Time moves on… it’s nearly 20 years later … I have taken many classes – and acquired many patterns, and tutorials. I cannot seem to stop!  -  And, frankly, I do not WANT to stop!

pbspresident@gmail.com

Lomoar Majorowicz, Treasurer

I’m Lomoar, a native North Westerner.  I love to learn and create, beading, knitting, crochet, wire, fiber, sewing, it’s all a joy.  The Portland Bead Society is an oasis of interesting, talented, fascinating creators.  I look forward to the monthly meeting the fellowship, the wonderful presenters. 

My beading journey began when I purchased an anklet at the Portland Saturday market.  It was small, I took it apart and lengthened it to fit.  I was hooked, who could resist the gemstones, Delica’s, Swarovski’s and all the other sparkly wonders.  The way you can weave beads to into a fabric or use wire to sculpt.  All the possibilities. 

lomoar@gothyo.com

Janis VanWyhe, Grants & Education Awards Coordinator, Advertising Coordinator, Bead and Creative Arts Festival Chair

I have belonged to the PBS for a number of years. Carrie Sakai recruited me to the organization. I am now retired from the bureau of Land Management where she and I worked together. I have been a part-time/wanna be beader since 2003 - if one does not count beaded embroidery on shirts back in the 70's, or the beads in macramé of the same vintage. My best friend from college got me interested in beading. Only after I retired did I really make time to create more, but of course I had also been building a stash since 2003. Lately I have also become fascinated with polymer clay. Both together seem like a nice mix.

jlvanwyhe@gmail.com

Susan Borts, Program Co-Ordinator

susan.borts@gmail.com

Amy Taylor, Gathering of the Guilds Chair

Shirley Kloss, Membership Coordinator / Web Guru / President Elect

I started beading in the sixties with hippie beads, then quickly upgraded to daisy chains. My mother gave me a broken vintage netting necklace which I reverse engineered and I was off.  I've been beading ever since.  I was taking a beading class at Village Beads when Michele mentioned the Portland Bead Society and the Bead Retreat.  Recently widowed, I quickly joined the bead society and have formed many wonderful friendships.  Since retiring I have branched out into metalsmithing as well, but beading will always be my go to art form.

pbsmembership@gmail.com

Marilyn Grock, Librarian and Newsletter Publisher

I have been beading for over 20 years.  It started as a hobby I could do while “watching” football with my husband.  I love working with peyote stich and creating beadwoven bracelets and amulet pouches.  I retired from teaching special education and moved to Portland the summer of 2016 so that I could play with my grandchildren and pursue my beading passion.  I am excited to have found the Portland Bead Society and people who are like-minded about beading.

portlandbeadnewsletter@gmail.com OR pbslibrarian@gmail.com