Much as when the Woodcarvers arrived, so did the Beaders, although many were residents of North Ranch. This week is open only to Escapee members. The gathered 110 people includedthirty instructors who taught classes just for the joy of it. Forty classes included bead weaving in assorted stitches, bead stringing, polymer clay, chain maille, Kumihimo and wire work. In the past, and possibly in the future, they are hoping to offer Huichol beadwork and beading on gourds.
Most of these techniques were unfamiliar to me so I went on line to find the basic instructions for using the Kumihimo Braiding KumiLoom, which requires using eight threads or cords. “This technique is applicable to all styles of handheld Kumihimo braiding products.” Of course, I knew that. (I’d never make it in this class or even learn the “Kumihimo” language.)
Cathy Benton reported, “The cost to be a part of this group was an outrageous $15 for the whole week plus kits for the classes which usually run between $2 and $15. We have a “store” with basic beading supplies at mostly wholesale prices with a few surprises.”
Cathy continued, “We had a pot-luck-hearty-appetizer evening and a Show-and-Sell plus a few seminars. We ended with an assortment of huge Subway sandwiches which went over well.” She said Lila Dudley, Janet Pufpaff, Gerri Erwin and JoAnn Munsell will take over the reins for Bead Week 2015. They are always looking for new projects. The teachers are not professionals, and likely, they have never taught before. Cathy says, “The Beaders are very patient and forgiving (usually).”
Kathy Bross from North Ranch has been beading her whole life and joined right in with the local group of beaders when she and her husband moved here. She has been making and selling jewel for twenty years. She says as a kid she practiced on her mother’s jewelry every time something broke. Kathy no longer works with the tiny beads but sticks with the larger pieces. The local group meets on Tuesday and Thursday throughout the year and they work on whatever suits their fancy. If a new person comes in and needs guidance, someone always reaches out and helps or teaches. She says the Polymer Clay group organized the 2014 Bead Week.
You can see by the photos, they love what they are doing and what they are creating.
When I received this informative e-mail from Cathy, she and husband Ron were shortly to depart into the wilds of Africa. She ended her e-mail, “…Now we’ll go get eaten by lions.” Though I know they are two delightful human beings, I’m not sure they would be all that tasty without a good bit of catsup!
While you are enjoying the long weekend, remember what Memorial Day is all about. God Bless until next week.
Winter in the Wilderness, the first e-book novel published by Minshall, is offered at most Internet book sites. A print edition may be obtained from Amazon, or you can order an autographed copy from the author at Box 1040, Congress, AZ for $7.95 plus $3.50 for postage and handling. The fourth edition of RVing Alaska and Canada is available through Amazon.com. 
At 45, Widow Minshall began 20 years of solo full-time RVing throughout Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. Sharlene canoed the Yukon, mushed sled dogs, worked a dude ranch, visited Hudson Bay polar bears, and lived six months on a Mexican beach. She lectured at Life on Wheels, published six RV-related books and wrote a novel, “Winter in the Wilderness.”
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