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 The Bead Society of Greater New York's first meeting of the year, held on September 19, 2012, was both exciting and quite colorful. We were honored to welcome Advanced Style Fashion Star, Debra Rapoport as our guest speaker for the evening. Debra is an artist working within the visual and healing arts. Life to her is about having fun, being healthy and using style, creativity and self-expression to remain vital and enthusiastic. She deeply believes that frugality is fun evidenced by the fact that most of her wardrobe is THRIFTED and GIFTED.
 Debra presented a most insightful, energetic lecture while projecting slides of her numerous creative talents using mostly found objects from the street and everyday life. Her works included sculptures from fabric and paper twine, hats made from Victorian skirt hoops, jewelry from newspaper mache and she taught us how to look at our bodies as an armature that becomes a work of art when dressed in a creative way. A couple of her favorite mottoes are: "More is not enough" and "If you can't wear it backwards or inside out, don't buy it". To highlight her inspirations, Debra presented a most entertaining video of herself on a recent shopping adventure at one of New York City's premier thrift shops a favorite shopping destination for this value-conscious shopper. As only she can, Debra shared with us the multi-creative ways she plans to adorn the treasured clothing and accessories found on this shopping spree. The audience was left with so many creative ideas to apply to their own work; it will be exciting to see the fruits of Debra's inspiration at our future meetings. Debra's crocheted hats were modeled by some of the audience in a grand finale that drew exuberant applause. The audience of over 130 members and guests enjoyed spending this fun-filled evening with a true fashion icon who thrives on life's simple pleasures, living life to it's the fullest with her own unique style and flair.
 Debra had asked members to come to the meeting wearing a hat and/or our most fabulous jewelry and BSGNY members did not disappoint (see photos at the end of this report). There was all manner of haberdashery ranging from Leah Becker's amusing Yiddish-inspired felt fascinator to Elke Kuhn's hat adorned with copper pot scrubbers and tiny silver flatware. Helen Weinberg arrived in an Egyptian headdress of silver-painted wood beads, while Shirley Mitchell came with her head wrapped in a lavender scarf that complimented her hand-painted beaded necklace made of corks. There was a lovely silver crocheted style from Rebecca Maroney, a green-beaded lizard climbing a jaunty fedora, a wonderful feathered pillbox perched on top of Simone Belva, and a most sophisticated black-and-white ostrich feathered number on Christalle Molloy. Christalle also sported a very architectural necklace of gold metal squares that perfectly complimented her hat. I, myself, wore a fascinator of black and bronze mesh ribbons topped with a marcasite dragonfly. These, and so many other creative pieces of wearable art helped to make our meeting a joyful success and we thank everyone for joining in the fun.
The September meeting was called to order at 6:30pm by our president, Cynthia Stern, adorning her majestic purple beaded tiara. She reported the following highlights to the membership:
- The 2012-13 Board members were introduced to the membership and received a round of appreciative applause
- Our bus trip to BeadFest Philadelphia on August 18, 2012 was an overwhelming success. This was the first year a SECOND bus was needed to accommodate the 74 people who signed up for this trip. There was a little excitement this year, but the issue was handled expertly by our trip coordinators, Nessa Langer and Fran Hochberg who did a fantastic job in leading this adventure. Next year, we will do a better job at making sure everyone is back on the bus for the return trip to New York! But fear not, everyone made it home, safe and sound.
- Effective immediately, our annual town hall meetings will be discontinued due to poor attendance.
- The annual Treasurer's Report, usually presented at Town Hall, will be sent to the membership in one of our monthly Information Mailings
- Comments and suggestions from the membership are always welcome either by e-mail or at the beginning of each of our monthly meetings
- There was a good show of hands indicating interest in the potential bus trip to the Philadelphia Museum Craft Show in November. The results of the survey sent to the membership back in June and September to determine if enough members are interested in this trip will be reviewed. If the trip goes forward, we will let you know ASAP. Non-members will be allowed to attend if there is room on the bus.
- BSGNY member, Serita Kellman asked members for donations of unused beads and findings for a senior center where she teaches. Members can bring their donations to the October 31st meeting or Serita can pick them up, if necessary. To make arrangements for pick-up or if you have any questions, you can call Serita at 212-353-3939. All donations will be greatly appreciated by all.
- In honor of our Society's 25th anniversary, the board is discussing the possibility of a juried exhibition of members work in December 2013. They would appreciate hearing any ideas you may have in regard to this project. Email your ideas to [email protected] and be sure to use "25th anniversary" in the subject line.
- Members wishing to advertise with BSGNY can take advantage of a special Members' advertising rate of $50 to send out an e-mail blast to the BSGNY membership. For more information, e-mail us at [email protected].
Looking forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Happy Beading to everyone!!!
Respectfully submitted by
Marie Michal
BSGNY Member/Volunteer
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