Glass beadmaking is an ancient art that has been practiced for more than 3,000 years. Until the latter part of this century few Americans possessed the technical knowledge to make glass beads. Those few glass artists worked in virtual anonymity and isolation. They used a variety of techniques to create their beads, including lampworking, kiln forming, kiln casting, furnace work, and cold work techniques.

Glass beads have been used for adornment, trade, currency, and religious ritual in cultures all over the world. Yet throughout history, the art of making glass beads has been shrouded in secrecy. One of the primary goals of The Boston Chapter has been to foster the rebirth of ancient glass beadmaking traditions through the sharing of techniques and information among members and the public.

The Boston Chapter has its roots in a small group of New England beadmakers brought together in a Newburyport living room in 1996. In 1998 the group became recognized as a chapter of the Society for Glass Beadmakers, now called the ISGB. In August 2010 membership had grown to 130 with people from all over New England as well as some from as far away as Arizona and California.