The Northwest Suburban Beadwork Guild

29/04/2026

Our booth at the fiber fabric and craft fest . Come see us starting tomorrow at rosemont expo center

12/03/2026

Hi, all my crafty friends,
I am teaching 2 classes at the Fiber, Fabric, and Craft Festival by H H at the Stephens Center. This show is open to the public and is sure to be a lot of fun. I am teaching Beaded Toggle Closures for Garments and Jewelry, and Meditation Bracelets. Check out my classes and all the great things available at the show. I will have a booth at the show with Crafty Traveler Media and The NW Suburban Beadwork Guild selling kits and having fun. Join us there. Ask me about the show or classes. Spread the word.

31/10/2025

Hi, all my beady and crafty friends,
We are going to try something new for the NW Suburban Beadwork Guild. For our November beadup, we are going to invite our other crafty friends to join us and have a craftup. What that entails is this: any craft, including beadwork, as long as it’s not extremely messy (no chainsaws or oil paint. LOL). Since the winter holidays and gift-giving time are coming up, this gives us an opportunity to work on those gifts or just any UFOs taking up space in your craft bag. Or if you have some small craft supplies that are gathering dust in your stash, bring them to trade. You may find something you didn’t know you needed.
Our Bead/Craftup will be Sunday, November 23rd, at 11 am, at the Woodfield Mall food court, upper level, Primark wing. Come to work on your projects, socialize, eat lunch, and have fun while meeting new crafty friends and possibly finish a few holiday gifts. Look for us toward the back by the big windows.
You can RSVP and pay at our event; please also RSVP on the guild’s page so I have an accurate headcount. Sales end on November 20th. Beadup/Craftup will be canceled if fewer than 5 people RSVP. If you have paid and we cancel, the money will be refunded.

Send a message to learn more

31/10/2025

Send a message to learn more

30/10/2025

Hi, all my beady and crafty friends,
We are going to try something new for the NW Suburban Beadwork Guild. For our November beadup, we are going to invite our other crafty friends to join us and have a craftup. What that entails is this: any craft, including beadwork, as long as it’s not extremely messy (no chainsaws or oil paint. LOL). Since the winter holidays and gift-giving time are coming up, this gives us an opportunity to work on those gifts or just any UFOs taking up space in your craft bag. Or if you have some small craft supplies that are gathering dust in your stash, bring them to trade. You may find something you didn’t know you needed.
Our Bead/Craftup will be Sunday, November 23rd, at 11 am, at the Woodfield Mall food court, upper level, Primark wing. Come to work on your projects, socialize, eat lunch, and have fun while meeting new crafty friends and possibly finish a few holiday gifts. Look for us toward the back by the big windows.
I have tickets available for 5$ on Eventbrite. You can RSVP and pay there; please also RSVP on the guild’s page so I have an accurate headcount. Sales end on November 20th. Beadup/Craftup will be canceled if fewer than 5 people RSVP. If you have paid and we cancel, the money will be refunded.

Send a message to learn more

14/09/2025

Hi, all my beady people, I have a question. Someone has contacted me saying they did a Google search on us and said we were defunct before 2020. Are people seeing my posts? I have looked, and some appear to be missing. I am not sure what to do about this, but rest assured, we are alive and in business. I will post the next meeting details in a couple of days, just working on some things. If people could let me know if they are seeing anything, and what they are seeing, I'd appreciate it

11/04/2025

Hi my beady friends,
important bead news...
After 29 years in Evanston, Ayla's Originals will close at the end of summer. go support this great LBS before closing. Maybe we can make a field trip out there.

12/03/2025

Hi all my beady friends,

the next beadup will be on March 23, 11 am, at Wood Field Mall's upper-level food court. The class posted last month will be postponed until probably May. The march beadup, let's think, spring. The equinox has happened, and Ostara, Passover, and Easter will be soon. pastel colors and flowers are perfect for this time of year. bring your ideas and friends, and let's have fun. Spread the word. See you soon.

23/02/2025

Hi all, don’t forget the beadup tomorrow, woodfield food court 11am

18/02/2025

Hi, my fellow artists. I have a question. I am interested in doing shows but haven't been able to get accepted. What are you willing to pay for an application fee for a show? My art medium is beadwork, which is nontraditional. I have some ideas about a couple of beadwork related shows I'd like to curate. What are your tips and tricks for this? Any ideas will be helpful. Thanks

02/02/2025

Hi all my beady friends,
our February beadup will be on February 23r, 11 am, at the Woodfield Mall food court upper level Primark wing. this will be a regular beadup. for March, I would like to do a mini-class for anyone interested, we will make a spring flower. the cost for the class will be about 2 hours and will cost 50$. i will give you a supply list at the beadup and you will get the easy directions to take home.

03/01/2025

Hi all my beady friends,

I hope everyone had a great holiday season. 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Northwest Suburban Beadwork Guild. I want to keep this group going, but we need to have more people attend. Are we still viable? Should we change the group focus to include more art/craft forms? Should we offer classes at meetings or at different times? Should we charge dues? Should we become a 501c3 nonprofit? Should we concentrate on trying to get into shows? What say you?

I love this group and the great projects we all create together. I will set up a poll and run it through January and hold off our next beadup until February. Remember this group is what we all make of it. If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

Melanie