History of the Ottawa Bead Society

In late summer of 1997 three ladies discovered their mutual passion for beading.  Eileen Bays-Coutts, Isabel Jones and Anne O’Malley decided that what Ottawa needed was a beading group.  The first meeting, attended by about 8 people, took place sometime later that fall at Isabel’s home.  They originally called themselves Beaders Unlimited.  They met regularly at different member’s homes.

As their membership grew, they moved the meetings to the Nepean Museum.  Bead challenges, workshops, guest speakers and show and tell, were just some of the interests that the ladies pursued.  In 2005, Beaders Unlimited became the Ottawa Bead Society.  The membership continued to grow and once again a larger facility was necessary.   The meetings are presently held at the Tanglewood Park Community Centre in Nepean.

Over the 20 years the Ottawa Bead Society has evolved into an organization which inspires and promotes the many aspects of beading.  Let us hope that through the efforts of our dedicated volunteers it will continue to flourish for many years to come.