one-eared pig beads: September 2011

Monday, September 26, 2011

Beads of Courage

First, if you are looking for my Bead Soup, please click here.

This is a long post, but please bear with me.

Beads of Courage is a wonderful program. It is an arts in medicine program for children with serious illness. It is currently implemented in over 100 children's hospitals in the United States, Japan, and New Zealand. Every bead tells a story of strength, honor, and hope.

This weekend our local group rented the West Michigan Glass Art Center in Kalamazoo. They have an awesome set up, including a fusing area, a hot shop, and a lampworking area with 14 torches. *sigh* It is truly glass and fire heaven.

Our only goal on Saturday was to make beads strictly for Beads of Courage. We made nearly 179 beads. We had such a great time. I've posted some of the beads we made. We made fish, pumpkins, snowmen, ice cream cones, hearts, and so much more! In fact, we actually ran out of kiln space before we ran out of ideas.

So many people to thank for this weekend. First and foremost, HOWACO GLASS. Jamey brought the entire line of Effetre glass for us to use.

In no particular order, here are my glassy peeps that participated in this fun event:
Barb Reed, Sandra Rathbun, Tracy Bell, Sandra Humphrey, Marion Walter, Deb Harlan, Dawn Ceccacci, Karen Klomparens, Annmarie Stanesa, Deb Kauzlarich, Robin Moore, Chris Fisher, Laurie Stover, Sharon Pribble, and Jill Daniels.

Thanks for reading this far. This organization means a lot to me, and these crazy people even more.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Bead Soup Reveal!!!!

Click here for the entire Soup list, located on the awesome Lori Anderson't blog. Please visit as many blogs as possible. You won't be disappointed.

I am so excited! Seriously, I cannot express how much I enjoy participating in the Blog Soup. I create things. I play with shiny objects. I meet new people. For someone whose all-time favorite thing to do is to sit at home, curl up on the couch and read, "knowing" all these beautiful, caring, creative people is almost unfathomable. My life is awesome.

My partner this round is Marian Hertzog of M's Place. She creates beautiful polymer clay beads. Check out her Etsy store! She sent me a beautiful collection.

{deep breath}
This is what I created.

September kicks off an extremely busy time of year for me at work, and it really doesn't let up til February. My life is nonstop. I only mention that because when I first looked at all the goodies in my box from Marian, I was mentally designing no less than 5 pieces. When I was finally able to sit down and create, I realized *everything* had to go into one piece, not because I didn't have to time to do all the various pieces, but because I wanted it all NOW.

What Marian sent me are some of my favorite colors. Blues, purples, and black; metals in silver, brass, and copper. Perfect. I added brass and silver chain, blue pearls, a few of my handmade glass beads, and even a ceramic bead from my first partner, Nan Emmett. I used the clasp Marian sent me in the main body of the necklace, so I used some brass wire my second partner, Diane Cook, sent me for the clasp. :)

After I wear it next week (you know, quality control), I will be donating the necklace to Homes for our Troops. They build specialty adapted homes for our troops, and recently built one locally. My dad's birthday is in October, so this time of year always make me think of him, and miss him just a little bit more. He was a Viet Nam vet. Marian's son is currently serving our country in the Navy. I kept my first Bead Soup necklace because it was my first one. I kept my second one because it represents my grandmother. I was recently approached by Homes for Our Troops for a donation, so it just seemed like this is where this necklace needed to go.