BORNEO INTERNATIONAL BEADS CONFERENCE 2010

The Borneo International Beads Conference 2010 is taking place this weekend in Miri, Sarawak. Various programs have been organised for this first ever occasion in Miri. Please visit http://www.crafthub.com.my/ for details on what's on offer.

BIBCo promises to be a weekend of total immersion in a vibrant bead culture.
Attend formal lectures by acknowledged experts in the field.
Get down to the real thing in hands-on workshops.
Meet indigenous Orang Ulu ladies with centuries of bead-tradition behind them.
Browse your fill at the Bead Exhibition and Bazaar.

Objectives of BIBCo:
To improve the earning power of home-based cottage workers in Sarawak
To preserve the Sarawak bead tradition
To encourage the production of top quality beads and beadwork in Sarawak
To promote competent modern design in beads and beadwork
To facilitate creative interaction between Sarawak’s artisans/designers and their international counterparts

Friday 8th Oct

1200 hrs Conference Registration

1400 hrs Setting up and ‘soft opening’ of Beads Exhibition & Sales

1700 hrs Visit Bead Exhibition at Miri Pustaka Library

Saturday 9th

All day: Bead Exhibition, Demonstrations & Sales

Session 1 : Chair Datin Valerie Mashman

0830 hrs Conference Paper 1 Ms Reita Rahim "Organic materials used as beads by Malaysia's indigenous peoples"

0910 hrs Conference Paper 2 Mr Ipoi Datan "Pre-historic and early historic beads of Borneo"

1000 hrs Official Opening by Dtk.Patinggi Tan Sri Dr.George Chan,Minister of Tourism Sarawak followed by Morning Tea

1115 hrs Conference Paper 3 Ms Eileen Paya Foong "An Uma Pawek Family's Heirloom Beads@

1200 hrs Lunch Break at Loon Jin Restaurant

Session 2: Chair YM Datin Raja Fuziah Tun Uda

1400 hrs Conference Paper 4 Dr Cheah Hwei Fen "Nyonya Beadwork"

1445 hrs Conference Paper 5 Dr Poline Bala "Kelabit/Orang Ulu value beads conservation"

1530 hrs Afternoon Tea Break

1800 hrs Board Transport to East Valley Golf Club

1900 hrs Gala Dinner at East Valley Golf Club, graced byDt.Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan

Fashion Show by Von Jolly Couture

Sunday 10th Oct
All day: Bead Exhibition, Demonstrations & Sales

Session 3 : Chair President of WCC Mdm.Usha Krisha

0900 hrs Conference Paper 6 Mr Jamey Allen "The heirloom beads of Island South-East Asia"

0945 hrs Conference Paper 7 Mrs Heidi Munan "Borneo Bead culture in the 21st Century"

1030 hrs Morning Tea Break

1100 hrs Conference Paper 8 Ms Nor Azmah "Making ceramic and glass beads in Malaysia"

1200 hrs Lunch Break at Loong Jin Restaurant

Session 4 : Chair President WCCAPR, Mdm. Surapee

1400 hrs Conference Paper 9 Ms. Yekti Kusmastono "From shards to art - antique beads, recycled glass"

1445 hrs Conference Paper 10 Dr David Baradas "Beads in the Philippines"

1530 hrs Afternoon Tea Break

1615 hrs ‘Meet the Speakers –Show and Tell’; Informal discussion Session – show your best beads to the experts!

1730 hrs Conclusion of BIBCO 2010

There'll be plenty of interesting wares on display and sale!

Maiden be-decked with all manner of beads on opening day at the conference.

October News & Updates

Dear Valued Members,

We hope you have enjoyed the Hari Raya holidays with family and friends, while being surrounded by delicious and glorious food! Now that the festivities are over, we have planned a few exciting activities for our members this month.

Here are the upcoming events slated to take place in October:

Oct 9: CFZ along Kuala Nyalau

This is an overnight sunset cruise along Sungai Nyalau to check out fireflies (among other things). There are only limited seats available so book your place as soon as possible. Interested participants must bring a life-jacket.

Our member conducting his assigned task (photo credit: Faye Osman).

This is a working trip, therefore participants are expected to be able to conduct small assigned tasks while in the boat.

Oct 18 - 23: Mount Murud trek

This trek is now fully subscribed. Participants will trek from Ba'kelalan to Church Camp via Lepo Bunga before attempting the climb to the highest peak in Sarawak.

Oct 30: CFZ along Sibuti

This is a cruise along Sungai Sibuti to check out fireflies (and certain reptiles!). This outing might be an overnight trip. Again, there are only limited seats available, as we can accommodate only a small number of people in the boats. 

Our participant recording GPS waypoints (photo credit: Faye Osman).

As with all our CFZ trips, participants are expected to conduct assigned tasks while we are traversing the river.

There are also other bird-watching related events taking place this month:

Oct 08 - 09: Sarawak Bird Race 2010 by MNS Kuching

Oct 15 - 17: Borneo Bird Festival by Borneo Bird Club and Sabah Tourism

Oct 23 - 24: Festival of Wings by KSNP, MNS, Selangor Bird Group, MNS BCC-WG

More details can be found in our birdwatching blog.