And, The Bead Museum collections manager was hired (a 2 year contract) by the Mingei to help with the acquisition.

I cannot locate who originally wrote this announcement- it was posted by the Ethiopian bead society:

ANNOUNCEMENT

THE BEAD MUSEUM TO DONATE ENTIRE COLLECTION TO

MINGEI INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM IN SAN DIEGO

(Glendale AZ and San Diego CA) - Upon permanently closing on March 12,
2011, The Bead Museum of Glendale, Arizona will donate its entire
collection of beads and beaded objects to Mingei International Museum in
San Diego. It is considered the most comprehensive public collection in
the world, containing 11,650 beads and beaded items made from a wide
variety of materials.

"The Bead Museum's board is pleased that the collection will remain
intact and that it has found a wonderful new home at the prestigious
Mingei International Museum in San Diego," said Kelly Norton, executive
director of The Bead Museum. "Like The Bead Museum, Mingei
International showcases useful, handmade objects of timeless beauty that
are satisfying to the human spirit. Our missions are symbiotic, and we
are now confident that The Bead Museum collection will live on."

"We are honored to accept this significant gift from The Bead Museum,"
said Rob Sidner, director of Mingei International Museum. "This
extraordinary collection fits perfectly with Mingei International's
mission, and strengthens the institution's long-time interest in and
commitment to beads and adornment."

The Bead Museum was founded in 1986 by Gabrielle Liese who is a renowned
bead collector and historian, and is the only museum of its kind in the
world. The collection of individual beads and beaded objects represents
nearly all bead producing areas and cultures of the world and spans
20,000 years, from ancient times to the present day.

"The collections of both The Bead Museum and Mingei International Museum
truly complement each other," said Jamey D. Allen, renowned bead
researcher and former curator of the Liese collection. "The gift of
beads to Mingei International is a great benefit to the museum, both
expanding and enriching its current collection."

"The human fascination with beads has spanned millennia, and this
announcement comes at a time when scientific and public interest in this
subject is particularly strong," said Robert Liu, coeditor of Ornament
Magazine. "The passage of this important collection to Mingei
International ensures that it will continue to be shared with scholars
and visitors."

For the next several months, Mingei International will focus on the
physical absorption of the bead collection and then begin planning for
its continued documentation, maintenance and use. Museum visitors will
get their first look at pieces from the collection in an exhibition
opening at Mingei International in December, 2011, New Jewelry in a New
Medium, whichwill feature beads and adornment made from polymer clay.

Along with the bead collection Mingei International is also accepting a
substantial library from The Bead Museum, including thousands of books,
periodicals and catalogs.

ABOUT MINGEI INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM

Mingei International Museum exhibits folk art, craft and design from all
eras and cultures of the world. Its museum in Balboa Park features
Southern California's largest and richest collection of mingei - art of
the people. A non-profit institution funded by admission, individuals,
and community support, the Museum offers inspiring exhibitions and
diverse educational programs to over 100,000 visitors a year.

Image:
Courtesy of the Bead Museum
"Eye of Horus" faience bead from Egypt, New Kingdom 1540-1075 BCE.
via Kathleen Vanesian Tue., Mar. 1 2011