The Auction for Beads of Courage is ongoing!

This is my 

Butterfly Wing Charm.

It still has only one bid, so it's open for more bids.

Here's the link.

Click

HERE.

This charm is made by 

Monique Urquhart.

I was one of the lucky ones to receive this charm in the exchange.

Click 

HERE

to bid on Monique's charm.  

There are other charms available.

Take a look.

Remember,

100% of the funds go to

BEADS OF COURAGE!

The Day Is Here! The 2014 Art Charm Exchange Reveal and Auction for Beads of Courage Has Arrived!

The theme for this year's Art Charm Exchange was

SOAR!

 In my mind,

what would make you soar more than to fly on a butterfly's wing.

Well, there were other ideas, and I'm going to show you the charms I received in exchange for my butterfly wing.

Aren't these amazing?  

I love them!

Thanks to Monique, 

Lamplight Crafts,

Chris Eisenberg,

Culturezine!

More exciting charms!

Thank you,

Moriah Betterly,

Elizabeth Auld,

Windbent,

and

Sheila Prosterman!

Didn't I tell you I received 

THE

BEST

CHARMS

EVER!!!!!

In addition to the fun we had making and trading our charms,

there is an auction to benefit 

BEADS OF COURAGE

on 

EBAY

Jennifer Cameron 

has done an amazing job coordinating the exchange and the auction.

The photos of the charms are beautiful.  Click on the link above and make a bid.

100% of the funds made go to 

BEADS OF COURAGE!

Thank you,

Jennifer Cameron!

Since this is a blog hop, too,

Here's the list of all the participants in this hop and auction!

Blog Hop List!

Jennifer Cameron: http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog

Alenka Obid: http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com

Alicia Marinache: http://www.allprettythings.ca

Andrea Glick: http://zenithjade.blogspot.com

Caroline Dewison: http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk

Cassi Paslick: http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/

Cate van Alphen: http://fulgorine.wordpress.com

Cheri Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg: http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Cory Tompkins: http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com

Genevieve Gabbert: http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog

Jami Shipp: http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com

Jenny Davies-Reazor: http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Jill Bradley: http://www.jillybeads.blogspot.com

Kim Dworak: http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com

Lee Koopman: http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com

Lennis Carrier: http://www.windbent.net

Lesley Watt: http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com

Mallory Hoffman: http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com

Melissa Trudinger: http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Michelle McCarthy: http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com

Monique Urquhart: http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/

Moriah Betterly: http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com

Nancy Dale: http://nedbeads.blogspot.com

Nancy Smith: http://wirednan.blogspot.ca

Niky Sayers: http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk

Perri Jackson: http://ShaktipajDesigns.com/blog/

Renetha Stanziano: http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

Shai Williams: http://www.shaihasramblings.com/2014/11/art-charm-exchange-auction.html

Sheila Prosterman: http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Susan Delaney: http://susandolphindelaney.wordpress.com

Susan Kennedy: http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Terri DelSignore: http://artisticaos.blogspot.com

Toltec Jewels: http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com

Vanessa Gilkes: http://culturezine.com/blog/

Art Charm Exchange, Beads of Courage, and a Bowl of Beads

I haven't been able to torch in a while, but there comes a time, when beads need to be sent to Beads of Courage. 

I started cleaning out beads today.  I almost have a full bowl with a lot more to go!!!  I hope the kids like them!

Just a reminder, the Art Charm Swap is over.  I'll post my charms soon.  There will be a blog hop and an auction to raise funds for Beads of Courage on November 14.  Stay tuned for more details.

Now that it's November, it's time to start thinking of the holidays.  Thanksgiving is coming up soon.
I'm hosting the annual gathering this year.  It's always a wonderful time of year to get together, talk, and enjoy that bird! 

After Thanksgiving, of course, comes Christmas.  I want to scale back this year.  Everything will be casual, except, of course, Church.  That will be Midnight Mass.  I love being out in the cold at Midnight to attend Christmas Mass! 

Then, during December, we begin our ascent into spring.  The light of day becomes slightly longer as we move into January.  Of course, we will have a lot of snow, but, it's better to have the snow and see it glitter in the sun.  (I can't believe I said that!)  Dusk is my favorite part of day.  The blue of the early sunset reflects on the snow and I feel peaceful. 

For now, even though I think we should do it all year, we need to give thanks.  We are such a rich country.  We have so much that others don't have. 

Last year, at this time, I had a broken bone in my foot.  Actually, it wasn't a broken foot bone or a broken ankle bone, it was the connector bone between my ankle and foot.  I am very grateful that I don't have a broken bone this year!  That hurt!

Dream Beads for Beads of Courage!

I love making beads for 

Beads of Courage!

I recently signed up to make some

"Dream Beads."

I have no idea where these beads will go after 

Beads of Courage 

receives them,

but I think they will be put to good use!

Go, Team Beads of Courage!

BOC and my Try to Imitate Heather Behrendt

Yesterday, I showed you the amazing work of Heather Beherndt!  If you missed the post, click
HERE. 

Well, here's my attempt to imitate Heather's work!
Not quite the same, right?
Right.  That's okay, because I know that even thought this bead is not perfect, there will be some kid, some special kid, who will love it!
This is the mission of Beads of Courage.  To help children tell their stories with beads.  This bead will be an Act of Courage Bead.  They are so needed by Beads of Courage right now!

If you have any beads to send in, DO IT NOW!  They need beads.  Click
HERE, and the link will take you to the Beads of Courage website.  They need your help!  Even if it's just a few beads, send them in!  They are most grateful for you help! 

The Countdown to the Flame-off Has Begun! T-5 and counting!!

See these beads?  All but one of them will be heading to the Minneapolis Flame Off at Potek Glass Studio this coming Saturday! 

Minnesota Lampworkers,
there are still openings available.  You can sign up
HERE!

You are also invited to help work the tables - the Welcome Table and the Bracelet Making Table!

It would be great to see you there!  Here's the rest of the information.

Attention All Beadmakers!!! Beads of Courage is Having an Event in Minneapolis This Month! Come Join us if you can!

Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota Bead Makers,

Please come join us to make beads for Beads of Courage on September 21st.  

We need YOU!!! 

More information will follow later, but you can certainly contact me about this, too. 

I think Malcolm is going to put up a sign up sheet on his website.

Click 

HERE 

for Malcolm's website.

Even if you can't make it,

there will be a team link coming up soon and you can

torch at a distance, 

and that will include 

ANYONE.

Again,

contact me by leaving a comment! 

Hope to see you on the 21st!

The Bead Box is Filling UP for BEADS OF COURAGE

I know I said it yesterday, 

but

BEADS OF COURAGE

needs your beads!

My bead box is beginning to fill up.

How's your bead box?

I got to meet Jean Baruch from Beads of Courage!!!!!

Here we are with Malcolm Potek in his studio in

Minneapolis, Minnesota!

Jean is a dynamo of energy and ideas!

We had a great time making beads and enjoying the company.

Do you remember Hannah?

She was there, too, and she not only brought her beads from 

Beads of Courage

but 

Hannah joined us in making beads!

It was a great time!

My dear Bead Maker friends,

you can see Hannah's strands, 

and she has an entire basket full of beads now.

The beads for kids are well used and appreciated!

Click

HERE 

to learn how to donate to 

Beads of Couage!

Look under 

Artists.

More later on my beads.

In the meantime,

always remember,

with Jean,

resistance is

futile!!

Thank You, Beads of Courage!

There are days when I go to get the mail only to find nothing but

bills

advertisements

or 

mail meant for the neighbors.

Then, there was that day

when I went to the mail box and saw a 

brown

paper

envelope

addressed to 

me.

It was from 

Beads of Courage.

What?

I had forgotten.

I had participated in the February challenge to donate 30 beads to 

Beads of Courage.

Look what they sent me as a

thank you!!

I am thrilled!

How kind and generous!!!

I 

AM

THRILLED!!!

Thank you

Beads of Courage!!!!!!

30 Beads for Beads of Courage - Attention Bead Makers

If you are a glass bead maker, please consider this. 

The information is all here.

You can read more about this challenge on the

Beads of Courage

website.

I'll be showing my beads later on.

Making Beads for Beads of Courage - How I make a pie Bead

This is how I do it!!!

Be sure to check out the 

Beads of Courage 

website to learn more about this wonderful organization.

The Power of the Bead

Sometimes, you just need to experience something to understand the effect it has on someone.

As you know, I am a very big supporter of

Beads of Courage.

Beads are given to children to help them cope with serious illnesses.

I don't remember the exact date, but, in October, 

Beads of Courage hosted a Flame Off.

I participated in this Flame Off

at a distance.  

I was part of Team Arizona!

Go Team Arizona!

I mailed in my beads,

then, earlier this week,

on a day when I was down in the dumps,

I received a package from

Beads of Courage!

My mood soared!!!

Now, I have my Beads of Courage!

 

 I have my name, a Beads of Courage bead, and a special bead for participating in this flame off!

Thank you,

Beads of Courage!!

Thank you!

Oh, I was playing with the hipstamatic app on my phone.

Double exposure.

Woooooo Hoooooooo!!!

My Little Army of Snow People Begins

Thinking snow and winter now.

My little army of snow people is starting to grow.

These will be for 

Beads of Courage 

when my army has grown enough. 

If it doesn't get cold enough for the snow to fall in Minnesota

(not likely, but I can dream...)

these little snow people might be able to bring a smile to the face of a child.

That makes me happy!

This Month's Beads for Beads of Courage

Just thought I'd show you what I've been making.

A few monster and eyeball beads

 

 Some seasonal colored beads.

See the pumpkin pie?

Always the food beads!

We must have those.

And Lots of red beads.

Now, why all the red beads?

This Sunday

Nick, Sara, Katie, and Bobby 

will be participating in the

Multiple Myeloma Race for the Cure

in St. Paul, MN.

I plan to string the beads into four strands and ask the runners to wear them for the

Beads of Courage kids.

I think they will.

There are so many children with cancer, especially blood cancers.

So, stay tuned!!

You'll see photos of the run either Sunday or Monday.

The results of today when torching for Beads of Courage.

Mandrels Dipped? Check...

Today is the day!!!
The Beads of Courage Flame Off!
I am participating in this at a distance.
I will be working with the Arizona team, at a distance.
The rules are simple, torch for two hours for Beads of Courage and send your beads into the BOC Headquarters before October 1.  So, tomorrow, I will be torching for BOC, and I'm looking forward to it!!!

I counted the beads in my bead bowl, and I have 115, so tomorrow, the rest will be gravy.  I sure hope the kids like them!!

I'll show you the results on Monday or Tuesday before I send them off.

If you have the urge, you can donate, too.  Clean out your bead boxes.  You can also make a cash donation.  There are so many ways to help out.
Here's the link to Beads of Courage.  Click HERE!

A reminder: Saturday is the day!!!

that I'm torching

at a distance for Beads of Courage

with the Arizona team.

When I send in my Saturday beads,

I'll also be sending in some other beads that I've already made.

Wanna' see some?

Okay.

Because we are at the start of the 

Holidaze,

I decided to focus on some 

Spooky Beads.

 How about some lips?

Or a BIG Nose!

Anyone want some 

eyeballs?

There will be more to come, but I thought the kids would enjoy these

Body Parts!

See you on Saturday!!!!

Stop the Presses! Save the Date! September 15th!

If you have read this blog for any length of time, you know that I am a big supporter of Beads of Courage. 

Beads of Courage is a program that helps children who are sick tell the story of their illness and treatment using beads.  Right now, since sales are slow and I love to make beads, I have only been making beads for Beads of Courage.  The beads I have been making are the Acts of Courage beads that are given to children whose courage has been tried by their treatment of their disease.  This little guy was shipped last week to Beads of Courage.  I'm sure he's already on his way to someone who needs him. 

Acts of Courage beads are bigger than the other beads the children receive.  I try to make the beads from 1.5 inches long to 2 inches long.  Most fall in that range.  During a torching session of 2 hours, I can make 9-10 beads. 

Now, why stop the presses and save the date?  Well, Beads of Courage is hosting an event in which I will participate on SEPTEMBER 15.  It's the Beads of Courage National Bead Challenge Day.  I will be teaming up with the Arizona team to participate at a distance.  The requirements are simple.  I pledged to fire up my torch for 2 hours that day and make beads for Beads of Courage.  I also pledged to send them these beads before October 1.  Easy Peasy!!

If you are a flame worker and would be interested in participating,  (It's easy to sign up!), here's the link.  The form took me, maybe, 5 minutes to fill out! 
http://www.z2systems.com/np/viewDocument?orgId=beadsofcourage&id=b2b81aa8394d9e410139567520ce001d

My goal on September 15 will be to make 10 or more large beads for the Acts of Courage program.  As I said, I am teamed up with the Arizona team which is the Sonoran Glass School!  I am thrilled that they accepted my request to join them!  So, stay tuned and save the date!  I might even try to make a VLOG that day, but I'm not sure.  We'll see.

I promise to show the beads I made that day after they are cleaned and photographed.  Wooo hoooo!  Go Beads of Courage!!!  

Candy Corn for Beads of Courage

Looks like I'll be sending in my beads for

Beads of Courage 

sooner than I had planned. 

After reading Marcy Lamberson's blog yesterday,

I'll be sending off a box on Monday.  

Click HERE to read Marcy's post.

I thought these beads would be going off in September, in time for Halloween.

Instead, they will be boxed up on Sunday scheduled to leave Monday for 

Beads of Courage.

 

 First, there's the traditional candy corn.

Nummy!

Ready for some candy corn bones?

How about a piece of candy corn pie?

 

I do have more beads than these to send off.  I just don't have near the number I usually send. 

I do know it will help.

If you are a bead maker, check out the BOC 

donation page

and 

read Marcy's blog.

Both of these resources will explain so much to you about the great need for

beads.