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	Dusti Dickman, President I feel that the real strength of the PBS is its membership, and the examples and inspiration that each of you provide. Here women, and men, share their insights into the amazingly personal process of creativity. Couple that with an environment rich in resources, and there is no telling when and where the muse will strike! When I travel the country and visit bead stores in out of the way places, I find that the Portland Bead Society name precedes me. When folks find out that I am from Portland, they invariably ask if I am a member. It gives me great pleasure to declare that I am. Thank you, members and volunteers, for giving our society such a good name.
	Lisa McAuliffe, President Elect & Bead Bazaar Co-Chair I?ve been dabbling in beads for over 5 years. I discovered at the Portland Bead Society I could shamelessly pick the brains and talents of my betters. One word of caution: Never pull a needle with your teeth?or be prepared to buy chipped tooth spackle.
	Carol Perrenoud , Vice President & Program/Grants Coordinator I joined the Bead Society mostly for the lectures and slide shows to learn more about beads. I became the librarian a few years later since I had an interest in books (and I was the librarian for our small high school for four years). Now I am vice president which includes programs and speakers. I believe you get out of a society proportional to what effort you put into it.
	Sylvia Loftus, Secretary & Bead Bazaar Co-Chair Sylvia has been PBS Secretary since 1991. As a youngster she would press against the cases containing mummy beads at the University of Pennsylvania Museum. As a younger woman, she strung hippie beads in Santa Cruz and Tokyo Japan. Today she designs and creates jewelry from unique stones, glass and metals for her own pleasure and for selling to others. She also enjoys beading with her grandchildren.
	Cathy Brauer, Treasurer I attended my first Bead Bazaar in 1995. It was so intriguing that I joined the Bead Society and was a volunteer at the next Bazaar. I wanted to get more involved, so I joined the Bazaar Planning Committee. Then I started going to the board meetings and was asked to run for treasurer when the past treasurer decided to step down. I have made many new and talented friends, learned a lot about beads and beadwork and have had lots of fun. It has been a great experience.
	Delta Waldt, Advertising Coordinator Being on the board for over 11 years and watching our society grow has been exciting. I find beading is relaxing for me. My cares fall away! Delta was one of the winners of our "It's Not Your Grandmother's Beadwork Anymore" Contest, Click here to learn more.
	Diane Mandaville, Art & Elegance Co-Chair
	Sandy Riegel, Art & Elegance Co-Chair
	Mrele Sherman, Audit Chair & Historian
	Jennifer Gallagher, Bead Retreat Chair
	Diane Werner, Education Awards Coordinator I became interested in beads in 1996, and I joined the Bead Society in the same year. Since then, I have attended many classes to improve my skills and have met many wonderful beaders and friends. I served for two years as the Volunteer Coordinator for such events as our annual Bead Bazaar and the Bead and Button Show (when it was in Portland). My position now as Scholarship Coordinator gives me a lot of satisfaction as the Bead Society is able to award members with scholarships to take more classes.
	Carrie Sakai, Librarian I think my first bead recollection was in the 3rd grade taking apart the belt I got from Disneyland with "California" written on the back in seed beads. My bead fascination lay dormant for decades til I wandered into a PBS Bead Bazaar and heard about the Portland Bead Society. Tory Hughes as guest speaker was my first PBS meeting - wow! I've been hooked ever since, working on the Bazaar committee, co-chair for Art & Elegance. and the PBS library. By getting involved with PBS, I'm so very fortunate to have met some wonderful bead compadres.
	Jeannine O-Hagan, Membership Coordinator & IT As a young girl I would buy my beads at the local hobby store. When I look in the bead stores today, I shake my head and am amazed at how things have changed. It is a wonderful artistic world that is available to us as bead artists today, and organizations such as the Portland Bead Society have played a big roll in that progression. When I was approached to be the volunteer coordinator I took it as an opportunity to give back to the PBS and its members. I am enjoying working with a great group of people.
	Kathleen Smail, Newsletter Editor When I first walked into a Portland Bead Society meeting, I felt that I'd opened the door into a world of enchantment. So much talent, so much creativity, so many beads, and so many people who appreciated the art of beads and adornment. Starting as a board member-at-large (willing to do whatever was needed), progressing to volunteer coordinator, and then serving as president, I was and am committed to keeping the door to that world of magic and enchantment open for others. We have a truly wonderful organization with incredible members!
	Karmen Schmidt, Immediate Past-President & Newsletter Publisher I began beading nearly 10 years ago by taking classes from bead artists including Robin Atkins, Maya Jones, Wynter Raine and Lynn Merchant. My biggest challenge is that I am driven to work with every beading techique possible and all the inherent materials entailed by such an approach. This passion is compelling and stimulating, but makes for a "ton" of beads and associated stuff that fills the nooks and crannies of my home and threatens to cast my husband, our dogs and me to the garage!	Cover Story: Karmen's 10-strand twist necklace is featured in the April 2004 Bead & Button magazine
	Tara Fergerson, Volunteer Coordinator/Hospitality
	Candy Walter, Webmaster I have been a member of The Bead Society for several years attending meetings and benefiting from the wonderful presentaions. When the post of webmaster opened up I realized I could use some of my other world (not bead realted) skills to give back to the group.
	Bobbye Brown, Community Representative The Bead Lady Recently, the Portland Trailblazers celebrated Black History Month by recognizing six people for their contribution to the community, and Bobbye Brown was one of the six honorees. Bobbye's $500 award was donated to a scholarship fund, and the 25 Blazer tickets she received were donated to a youth group. Bobbye began her path by working as a 'flunky' (her words)in one of Carol Perrenoud's classes in 1993. Since then, she has worked with shelters, high schools, children's groups and more to demonstrate the origins and uses of beads, as well as to instruct these groups in creating their own beadwork.