Your cart is currently empty!
Museum of Beadwork
I had the good fortune to be able to visit the Museum of Beadwork, in Portland, Maine. I took pictures of beadwork that especially caught my eye. This first collection of photos show some historical and contemporary uses of beads.
A featured artist is Melissa Shippee.
One collection on view is of geometric beadwork, done by individuals or as a part of the Contemporary Beadwork Group (CBG). The CBG had some beautiful pieces. In the captions, if the designer/architect is someone other than the artist, I have added that credit.
Design credits: Sylvia Hamburg, Ingrid Wangsvik, & CBG
Batcycle architecture: Claudia Furthner
Hexagonal spiral architecture and capture: Joy Davidson & CBG
Hinged cycle architecture: CBG
Architecture: Christina Vandervlist & CBG
This piece appeared on the cover of the first print issue of Beadwork Magazine.
Rick-Rack and MRAW: CBG
Nick Heller is another featured artist.
Beaded insects was the current beadwork challenge show, “Wings and Stings.” I beaded a cockroach once. Anyway! Here’s a few of the works that caught my eye.
One end of the gallery was devoted to the Beaded Square Project, a visualization of the first year of Covid-19 lockdown, with works from over 400 artists from 18 countries.
And let’s close with the astounding Jan Huling with The Gown: Affinity.
The museum shares a space with Caravan Beads, so bead shopping is also an option. There will continue to be opportunities to enter one of their challenges, so check the exhibition page for more information. Visit if you can!