is a small women’s cooperative
founded in 1995 by Martha Forsyth and Pat Iverson
 | In 1994, on one of their many trips to Bulgaria, Martha and Pat learned a technique of crocheting with beads to produce bracelets and necklaces similar to those shown here. The bracelets seem snug as you RO-O-O-LL them over your hand, but then they sit smoothly on your arm — “Look, Ma, no clasp!” Since we began experimenting with this technique in January of 1995, we have each made literally thousands of bracelets, necklaces and earrings. The work is exacting: hundreds of tiny glass ‘seed’ beads are strung one-by-one on strong synthetic thread and crocheted into a flexible fabric tube, leaving a bead in every stitch. The ends are then sewn together in an invisible seam. A skilled maker may spend five or six happy hours creating a single bracelet! But somehow the ideas keep crowding upon us, and there are always more bracelets (and necklaces) that just have to be made...beads without end.... |
 | “Sensuously supple rivers of seed beads crocheted into an endless spiral.... Bracelets that roll on, without the need of a partner to fasten them for you, and then stay comfortably in place instead of flopping around on your arm or hurting when you twist.... Endlessly changing patterns in luscious colors, always something new.... ” The New England Folk Almanac, Vol. 7, No. 3, December 1997 |
Some FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS• Opportunities to buy them yourself this spring •
See us in the Craft Hall at the New England Folk Festival
April 19-21, 2013, at the Mansfield High School (Mansfield, MA)
• or •
Come to Somerville Open Studios
at 14 Gussie Terrace, Somerville, MA, May 3-5, 2013,
Friday from 6 to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm
• If you can't come then •
Contact us for a PERSONAL SHOWING,
or about having a “HOUSE PARTY” (in New England, or -- make us a good offer!):
Martha Forsyth & Pat Iverson
• Annual Events •
Sometimes we forget to update this page, but you can always check:
• New England Folk Festival (Mansfield, MA) in April (in the Craft Hall)
• Somerville Open Studios (Somerville, MA) in May
• Acton Open Studios (Acton, MA) in October
and
with advance notice, we can bring our work to the
monthly Saturday night dance parties of our Bulgarian band, ZDRAVETS
2012 Sept. 8, Oct. 20 (in Whately, MA), Nov. 10, Dec. 8
2013 Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 16, April 13, May 11, June 8
at the Church of Our Saviour, 21 Marathon St., Arlington, MA
Beads Without End
.