Mission  Statement

The Beads of Clay "Working" Mission Statement

Community & Public Awareness

The main goal of this group shall be the promotion of ceramic beads as an art form. To accomplish this we shall strive to bring together all ceramic bead enthusiasts from the collector to the ceramic bead artist to the designer interested in working with hand-crafted artist-made ceramic beads.
For designers and collectors, a resource for contacting artists currently working in the field of ceramic beads as well as opportunities to learn more about the methods of production and the various techniques used by these artists. For the bead artists themselves, a forum for exchanging information about techniques, technologies, research, etc.

Exhibition Opportunity and Promotion

Working together as a group, we have the opportunity to exhibit collectively. Possibilities for this are the Beads-of-Clay Website, bead or trade shows, group gallery showings, and print and on-line exhibitions. Promotional ideas such as advertising for the group will be an area of focus. Inclusion of ceramic bead subjects in competition is also a goal.

Cross-Media Experimentation

We hope to encourage experimentation between ceramics and other bead making fields. Glass lampworking and kilnworking, polymer clays, and metalsmithing and metal clays are possible areas of interest for cross media experimentation.

Research & Development

In order to develop our craft, we can work together to inspire one another with challenges, both technical and inspirational. Bead swaps - both within the group and with other groups, and the sale or donation of beads for charity may be explored. Research of historical and contemporary ceramic beads may also be of interest to the group.

To suggest changes please go to our online forum at Yahoo - Beads Of Clay