A New World Record

Last Christmas, Steve gave me a gift card to Shipwreck Beads, but unfortunately I never made it down there all year. Last night, I went to their website to see if they'd be open today. Imagine my surprise to see an announcement on their home page, asking for volunteers to string beads in an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records record for longest bead chain!! How could I NOT participate? How could I ever call myself a beader if I didn't contribute to this? How could I pass up the opportunity to be part of a record breaking attempt at anything? I was on the road by 8:15 and thanks to the light traffic conditions, was at Shipwreck by 8:50.

This is the article from The Olympian newspaper:

"On Dec. 26, Shipwreck Beads will attempt to break the “Longest Chain of Beads” record, now set at 402 feet. The goal? One-half mile of beads, or 2,640 feet.

Shipwreck Beads’ owner Glenn Vincent said in a news release, “This is a serious record attempt, but it’s also a ton of fun and will benefit children in our community. We can’t do it alone, so we are inviting any and all to come out and help us string this enormous chain of beads.”

Shipwreck Beads has committed to donate 2 cents to the Boys & Girls Club of Thurston County for every bead in the chain."

The sidewalk leading to the front door is embedded with beads.


As soon as the doors were unlocked, I was directed to the stringing area to sign up for an hour of volunteer beading.
There were tables set up with totes full of plastic crow beads. There were 25 meter spools of cord onto which a large plastic needle was threaded. We all waited, poised, as the large digital clock counted down to 9:00 a.m., and we were off!
I happily plunged the needle into the beads and speared up to 7 at a time onto the needle. It was surprising how fast they accumulated! The only thing that was a drag was constantly having to get up, push all the beads down & get more slack from the spool.
All of the colourful strings looked like candy necklaces.
When my hour was up, I relinquished my spot to the next volunteer.
I was surprised how many people showed up, although some of the employees were also working their first hour at the stringing tables. But I also saw a videographer shooting the event, and when I left, there was a radio station from Olympia broadcasting from the parking lot. I was told that a Guinness representative would be present for the final measurement and count when the event ended at 2.
After my contribution towards the new world record, I shopped for awhile. I love this Deady bear beaded curtain. I wish they sold them!
World's Largest Bead Store.
All the posts are covered with hanks of beads
My treasure chest of booty.
These look much prettier in real life of course.






I am hoping to find out later today, or at least by Monday, if we broke the record.