3-18-07_GMnotes

Regional Update: Leslie announced that the Gathering information has been mailed. If anyone has questions about the ISGB or the Gathering, please e-mail Kendra.

Membership Update

Members need to sign up for the ORBS 2007 yearly membership. Those that signed up today received goody bags, and door prize entry. Thanks to Bullseye for the great Torch Tips booklet, and Rod Color posters they donated. The goody bags also contained $5.00 Starbucks gift cards and Trajectories postcards.

Three door prizes were available, a Trajectories catalog, and two mixed sets of glass, dichro, bead release and tools. The winners of the door prize drawings were Jenny Newtson, Lori Watson and Chrisy Gregory.

We will select a logo for ORBS, and at the next meeting will vote from three options. The selected logo will be used on our ORBS web site, on membership cards, and other items such as T-shirts, etc..

Membership cards will be ready after the group selects a logo. An example of the cards for Fire and Rain were shown. Membership will include discounts for card holding members. Sponsors now include Bullseye, which offers 20% off for ORBS members. Any other suggestions for sponsors should be given to Karen.

ORBS web site will be redesigned and once created, will be kept current. In the next few weeks, we will register the domain name, and then logo will be incorporated in the site. This should be available in the next few weeks, and will have the new domain name/web address of TheORBS.org. Karen will send an e-mail with a link to the new site to ORBS members when this is ready. Please provide feedback on the site, including content suggestions to Karen.

Beads of Courage

Scott from Aquila announced their promotion and participation in the Beads of Courage program, and another group run by Legacy hospitals. The third Thursday of each month Aquila offers free torch time, and instruction in making beads for these programs. The donated glass beads are given to child cancer patients. Each bead color or shape corresponds to a particular kind of cancer, or treatment that the child has received in their course of treatment. Legacy sponsors a program where patients and their siblings receive pendants. Six torches are available for use during these session.

Aquila will also recognize the Bullseye ORBS member discount on Bullseye glass. In addition, they also offer the 50% discount during Bullseye sale dates. Customers can order from the catalog and pick up at Aquila. They currently offer open torch time for $8.50 an hour, with supplied mandrels and some tools are available. Aquila may become an ORBS sponsor, offering torch time for $7.50 and hour. They also have other events at Aquila. ORBS member e-mail addresses will be provided to Aquila so we will receive notification of these events.

2007 ISGB Gathering

Gathering information has been mailed to ISGB members. The Gathering is a yearly conference with two days of education, events and a bead bazaar. Pre and post conference classes are also available. Members are encouraged to sign up early. Both Leslie and Kendra will be instructors. This year, the Gathering will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota from July 26- 29th. Information is out- info was sent out. Gathering is once a year conference- two days of education, events, bead bazaar. Sign up now. Leslie and Kendra are both going to be instructors. Minneapolis, July 26-29th.

Next year, the Gathering will be held in Oakland. The ISGB web site at ISGB.org has all the information on this years Gathering, an online application for ISGB, and other resources. Members are encouraged to donate to the silent auction even if you can’t make it to the Gathering. This money is donated to scholarships and other ISGB programs. If you can’t make it to the Gathering due to the cost, ISGB offers scholarships for some attendees. They also offer work exchange programs, where 12 hours of work is provided in exchange for a half price event fee. The ISGB web site has the information on applying for these programs. There are an abundance of vendors with supplies, tools and other goods at the Gathering as well. Karen is the work exchange coordinator for ISGB and can answer questions on this program.

Guest Speaker- Elaine Alhadeff

Elaine teaches at Pratt Fine Art Institute, Arrow Springs and other locations around the country. Photos of her work are available on her web site at www.meandyouartwear.com.

Elaine did a great demo showing her techniques for creating vessels. She generously donated the finished demo bead to ORBS.

The meeting ended with members enjoying a great spread of treats, libations, bead exchange, and the enjoyable company of other ORBS attendees.