“Family Jewels”
and a walk though the The Bead Museum, Glendale, AZ

Presented by Karen Karn

Karen Karn, Curator/Collections Manager, for The Bead Museum will present a powerpoint presentation which will take the members of the BSNC on a tour of The Bead Museum with a special focus on the upcoming exhibit "Family Jewels" which is scheduled to open on September 10, 2010.

"Family Jewels" explores the world of costume jewelry and beaded garments from early Victorian times through 1970. This time span allows us to explore the three Victorian periods when Queen Victoria ruled England and influenced fashion. With the death of Prince Albert in 1861, black mourning jewelry and garments became the rule. We will display hair jewelry, Whitby jet, bogwood, vulcanite and, of course, glass beads as well as costumes and beaded fragments of lace.

At the turn of the 20th century the mood lightens with the Edwardian Period, Arts & Crafts movement and the Art Nouveau Period. Colors are lighter and brighter, design motifs are flowing natural lines, women begin to work and jewelry uses more silver, cabochons and enamel. The use of plastics begins with the popularity of Bakelite and Czech glass and Venetian beads are everywhere.

The Art Deco Period, from 1920-1935, spans the "Roaring Twenties" and the end of World War I. Egyptian motifs become really popular with the discovery of King Tut’s Tomb in 1922. Fashion designer Coco Chanel introduces affordable "costume" or faux jewelry to appeal to the average person and a whole group of jewelry designers emerge onto the market. We have examples of many types of beads from this time and, of course, a beaded "flapper" dress.

The Retro Period, 1935-1949, encompasses the Depression and World War II when metal use was restricted so plastic dominates. “Jelly Bellies” became very popular. The glass beads from Austria , Czechoslovakia and Germany are not available and many fine jewelry craftsmen fled Europe and joined costume jewelry manufacturers. At this time designers began to abandon patents in favor of copyright marks to identify the artist or manufacturer.

1950 began a period "glitz." Rhinestones, "aurora borealis", large chunky jewelry and charm bracelets were all the rage. Poodle pins and skirts, Christmas tree pins and multi-strand or bib necklaces were worn by everyone. Hats and gloves were common for the well dressed lady.

The early 1960s were the Mod Period with pop art, mini skirts, go-go boots and large bold jewelry and accessories. Jewelry with bright colors and jingling bracelets, chains, fringe or tassels ruled. The later 60s became the “Age of Aquarius” and the Hippie era. Protests were common. Used clothing, tie dye, blue jeans, peace signs, zodiac signs and love beads took over popular culture. Men began to wear more jewelry than anytime in the last 5 decades. American Indian silver and turquoise, along with natural resources (wood, bone, etc.) were the preferred bead materials.

The 1970s brought us Disco music and the "Me" generation. The personal computer hit the market and began a time of rapid change. The 70s were also the heyday of the "African trade bead" imports with beads from the European colonial trade from 1850 to 1940 and lots of Italian millefiori from Murano , Italy . Shell and wood jewelry was also very popular. To conclude this exhibit we will showcase a hand sewn and beaded wedding dress on loan from Denise McLean.

Most of the beaded garments in the exhibit are on loan from Ursuline College in Cleveland , Ohio . We have tried to include the community in this exhibit so have many beaded pieces of costume jewelry from our members and friends of The Bead Museum. The goal of Family Jewels is to engage the community in the discovery of their family heritage through their family heirlooms, jewelry and beaded adornment.

Karen will also be bringing pieces from the new exhibit with her so that Bead Society members can see them up close.

She will also have some unique and collectible items from the museum store for Bead Society members to purchase if they are interested. (Gabrielle has donated several pieces which will be included.)

Please wear a piece of beaded clothing or costume jewelry to the program.