The Retreat starts on Friday, May 2 at 8:00am in the Open Beading Room at the Best Western hotel in Plover, WI (see next paragraph). The registration fee is $50.00 (same as last year!). Optional open beading will start on Thursday, May 1st at 12:00 noon for a $10.00 surcharge. All registration and class fees are payable from our Square site. When you arrive, check in at the registration table to receive your badge/name-tag. (Reminder: As a courtesy to all attendees, please refrain from using any “stinky” materials in the room.)
Hotel check-in is at 3pm. Checkout is at 11am. A specially priced block of rooms is available to us at the Best Western, 5253 Harding Avenue, Plover, Wisconsin 54467-9715. Telephone: 715-544-6200. Mention the Loose Bead Retreat to get the special rate.
Our Retreat is for Loose Bead members only. Please become a member–we’d love to have you! Join the Loose Bead Society.
Classes
Member to Member projects, Zwirnknopf Button, Endless Glimmer Bracelet and Square Dance Beaded Bead classes will be held at the Hotel in the Open Beading Room.
All other classes will be held at A Touch of Glass, 8907 State Highway 54, Amherst, WI.
Waitlisting for any classes is available. If a class does not show up on Square, the class is full. Email Karen Domine at vpprogramming@loosebeadsociety.org to get on a waitlist. Please select your classes carefully to prevent any scheduling mistakes!
 | Kumihimo Clinic Bring your Kumihimo UFO project and Sandy Abraham will help you get back on track. | Date and Time: Friday 10:00a - 12:00p | No charge |
 | Embellished Ring by A Touch of Glass | Date and Time: Friday 1:30p - 4:30p | $130.00 |
 | Pewter Charms Make-N-Take by A Touch of Glass | Date and Time: Friday 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00 | $12.00 |
 | Leather Bead Bracelet Class Fee includes a kit. Presented by Pat Harvey | Date and Time: Friday 2:00p - 3:30p OR Sunday 10:00a - 12:00p | $5.00 |
 | Endless Glimmer Bracelet 2 Colorways are Available Presented by Lisa's Designs Class Fee includes a kit. | Date and Time: Saturday 9:30a - 12:30p | $80.00 |
 | Stacker Rings by A Touch of Glass | Date and Time: Saturday 9:30a - 12:00p | $70.00 |
 | Spinner Rings by A Touch of Glass | Date and Time: Saturday 1:00p - 5:00p | $130.00 |
 | Zwirnknopf Button Presented by Cris Robinson Class Fee includes a kit. | Date and Time: Saturday 1:30p - 4:30p | $30.00 |
 | Modified Spiral Stitch Presented by Pat Harvey | Date and Time: Saturday 7:00p - 8:30p | No Charge |
 | Square Dance Beaded Bead 4 Colorways are Available Presented by Lisa's Designs Class Fee includes a kit. | Date and Time: Sunday 10:00a - 1:00p | $55.00 |
A Touch of Glass address is 8907 State Hwy 54, Amherst, WI. It’s within a 10-12 minute drive from the hotel. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your class begins. You may also want to carpool with other members taking the class – we’ll provide a list of class attendees at the registration table during the retreat to help with this. Your instructor is also being provided your name and email address, so you may receive an email from them prior to the retreat. Here is a more detailed description of the Touch of Glass classes.
Retreat 2025 Touch of Glass classes
Here is a list of the additional opportunities our members are offering at the Retreat. Please sign up for the sessions you want to take, and note that some sessions require the purchase of a kit while others provide a list of materials for you to bring. There also may be homework to prepare for some classes, so read carefully to determine what YOU should bring to the class!
Retreat 2025 Open Beading Room Classes
Food
All meals are on your own. Attached is a pdf file with maps and a listing of area restaurants so you can check out your options in advance. A printed copy will be available upon check-in. Food and beverages are allowed in the Open Beading room and we’ll have our usual “shared snack” table for any snacks you want to bring along to share.
The hotel offers a complimentary full breakfast, with a choice of breads, cereal, fruit, hot eggs, hot breakfast meat, other hot items, yogurt, juice, and coffee. Rooms have a mini fridge, coffee/tea maker and a microwave.
Shopping
A Touch of Glass shopping hours through the weekend:
Friday – 11am to 4pm (Reception 6-8pm)
Saturday – 12pm to 5pm
Sunday – 10am to 2pm
If you want to visit any of the other area bead, rock or craft shops, you should plan to do so on Friday or Saturday, as most are closed on Sunday.
Blue Bead & Rock Shop – 1043 Main Street Stevens Point, WI 54481, 15-20 minutes from hotel
Hours: Friday, 11am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm. http://www.blue-bead.com/
Stoned & Wired Bead Shop – 221 Scott St. Wausau, WI 54403, 45 minutes from hotel
Hours: 11am-5pm Friday and Saturday. http://www.stonedandwiredllc.com/
Lunar Light Awakening/Bill’s Moonstones and Crystals – 325 N. 1st St. Wausau, WI 54403, 50 minutes from hotel
Hours: 11am-6pm Friday and Saturday.
Herrschners, Inc. 2800 Hoover Road, Stevens Point, WI 54481
Hours: M-Sat: 9:00 to 6:00pm, Sun: 11:00 – 4:00PM, 15 minutes from hotel
https://www.herrschners.com/
