Changes coming

We have started migration of this web site to new servers. While we are doing the migration I will not be adding new Gallery users. I appreciate your patience during the transition.

Welcome!

WOW! We have seen a huge jump in interest in the Beehive since the article in The Quilter Magazine was published in the April-May 2012 issue. We welcome all interested quilters and thank you for visiting.

Who are we?

Good question, and one with a little history.

Several years ago a few technically savvy quilters who had met at various shows and other functions started sending email to each other oriented around their quilting and other topics. As this was a small group, it was easy for each to simply send the email to all the others. But, as the group grew, it became harder to manage for each individual what with people joining, dropping out, or changing email addresses. An obvious solution was to start an Internet List which would leave the management up to the administrator. Each person would simply have to send one email to the "list" and it would get distributed to all the members.

This worked for quite a long time and was very successful. The group even started organizing get-togethers on an annual basis at various spots around the country. A good time was had by all. But, as sometimes happens, differences in the membership and administration started to cause friction and many of the members dropped out of the group.

And so, a new group was put forth, Our Quilting Beehive, initiated by members of the older group who wanted to see a good experience for all. And the group was quickly accepted by many of the older group and the discussion lists were soon buzzing. Thus the origin of Our Quilting Beehive and the associated "Buzz" discussion list!

So, join us in the discussion list. It's a diverse group and we don't restrict our discussions to strictly quilting topics. Imagine, if you will, an old-fashioned quilting bee and what the discussion was around the quilting frame ... this is what we are emulating. Please, though, keep controversial and easily inflamed topics such as politics and religion off the group. It's not that we don't like your particular politic or religion, it is that we don't want to spoil the group by the types of discussions that they frequently deteriorate into.

What do we do?

First, and foremost, we provide a friendly place where people who enjoy quilting (and other needle arts) can exchange ideas freely.

The list is in English primarily although we do have members from around the world.

We also try to have a get-together once a year, usually in the Fall, at different places around North America.  We try to vary the place enough so that some of the group is "local."  That way they can attend without spending a lot of time or money travelling and, perhaps more important, they can help with the hands-on planning.  More about the Swarm below ...

And there are a lot of things going on in The Buzz list too.  There are several ongoing swaps. I believe that someone has organized a Secret Sewing Sister group.  And people frequently use the group to arrange "mini-Swarms" for when they are travelling to an area that might have other Bees near.  We even get occasional animal husbandry lessons from at least one of the members but you'll have to join the group to get the specifics of that. 

What else is going on?

Well, we have a Picture Gallery where you can upload your digital pictures of your creations and what ever else you wish to share.

We have the list and, finally, we have the annual Swarms.

Swarms? Huh?

Yes, that's what we call our annual get-togethers. There is a lot more information here. But, simply, our swarms are where we get to meet face-to-face someplace around the country about once a year.

What does it cost?

Joining and participating in the group doesn't cost anything right now and we have no plans to charge for the foreseeable future.  The groups are provided and run by Google at no charge and the web space is such a nominal expense that we would have to charge less than the cost of a postage stamp to cover it.  If we get a lot bigger or decide to offer extra services then we might want to charge for it but, at this point, there is nothing like that being discussed.

How Do I join?

If you already have a Gmail or Google groups account then go to http://groups.google.com and search for "our quilting beehive" ... you can request membership in the group from there.

If you don′t have a Gmail or Google Groups account go to http://groups.google.com/ and click "Sign Up for Google Groups" ... once you have a Google Groups account you can then use the Search function to find "our quilting beehive" groups and request membership.

As always, if you have trouble signing up or any time later feel free to write to me at admin@quiltingbeehive.org

What else?

Indeed.  Good question!  We currently (March 2012) have over 620 members of the Buzz group.  We have been adding three or four members a week so we are still growing.  And it is the members who drive what goes on around here.  We, the admins, might suggest things or test new gadgets and doohickies, but the members are the ones that we are here to please. And, remember, we are members first and foremost and have put this all together so that we can enjoy our craft and community with lots and lots of other people.