Something Beautiful Happened Yesterday!

Look what visited my garden yesterday.

Isn't she beautiful?

The pods are growing big!

She was trying to do something very special on my milkweed.

See her bend the bottom half of her body?

Do you know what she's doing?

See that little white dot?

She laid an egg!

I hope that I see a catterpillar soon!

What a blessing to see!

Butterflies for BOC

It's been a while since I made butterflies  for Beads of Courage.  Beads of Courage butterflies are given to parents who have lost their beloved children.

I had heard that Beads of Courage had found a supplier for their butterfly beads, which is true.  However, I have found, through dialogues on Lampwork Etc., that when artisan butterfly beads are available, Beads of Courage does want to use and will use the artusan made beads, too.  After learning this, I began to make butterflies again.  Here's a sample of what I will be sending in with my next box of beads to Beads of Courage. 

I'm going to try and wire wrap each butterfly.  I am sad that someone will receive these, but if I can give a grieving parent a virtual hug with their butterfly, I will.

Making Beads for Beads of Courage

Beads of Courage

Arts in Medicine for Children with Serious Illnesses

If you've read this blog over the years,

you will know that I am a big supporter of Beads of Courage.

You will also know that there are many other bead artists who give to this cause.

I am very proud to be associated with this cause,

especially since my adult daughter, Jenny, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma just over a year ago.

This, alone, has inspired me to work and make more beads for children with serious illnesses.

I have a rule that each time I torch I make 

two

butterflies

and 

two

purple hearts.

It's amazing how quickly the beads add up!

The purple hearts are given to children when they complete their treatment plan.

I try to make each one different and unique.

I also try to get some "boy" hearts in there, too.

As much as I love flowers and poke - e -dots,

I'm not so sure the guys do!

 I make sculptural butterflies.

A butterfly is given to a parent who has lost a child.

My hope is that these parents receive a bit of comfort from these butterflies.

Each one is unique.

Rarely are there two alike.

Beads are welcome from artists.

Acts of Courage beads are special beads given to children to remind them of their bravery in treatment.

There are many ways to give to this program.  

Please check out the website for more information.

Go Team Beads of Courage!

So What Have You Been Making for BOC?

Here's my latest batch of beads for Beads of Courage. They really do need more beads for their Acts of Courage! They mean so much to the kids!



So, what have you been making for the Beads of Courage Acts of Courage beads?

I forgot to add, this was Day #1 of using my "shorts" to make beads! So far, so good. No real dent yet!

Beads for Beads of Courage

Here are some of the beads I have made for Beads of Courage. At the end of May, I hope to have another box of beads ready for mailing. I try to wire wrap the butterflies before sending, but I'm not always able to do that. These butterflies are ready to go.
They will be give to parents who have lost a child. Beads of Courage has stated that they use about 1,000 butterflies each year. Yes, it's sad. I can only hope that these little glass beads will bring a modicum of comfort to a family that has suffered such a great loss.








One of my goals this year is to make beads for some of the older children who are in the Beads of Courage program. As a former high school teacher, the older children are very dear to my heart. I've started to ask for suggestions to make beads that might be appropriate for some of the older children. Today, I made "worry stones" for some of the older children.
I made them in bright colors and with lots of texture. I always feel comforted when I can feel texture.











Now, if you have any suggestions for beads to make for older children, please feel free to leave comments to let me know. I need more inspiration.



Beyond this, I did ask one of my former colleagues, an art teacher at the high school where I taught, to ask her students what kinds of beads they thought would be appropriate for kids their age undergoing the various treatments for their illnesses. Here are some of their answers:



Bright colors, retro things...Pink/lime green, Peace symbols, mushrooms, fairies, hearts, love
Sports things...footballs, baseballs, MN Vikings, soccer balls, etc.

Looks like I've got a lot to keep me going. Feel free to add to the list! I would appreciate it!

Butterfly Treasury on Treasury West

Spring = Butterflies = Treasury West

Lampwork Glass Butterfly Necklace by Sarah Hornik

Handmade Bracelet, Bead Soup, and Butterflies by Joolz by Lisa

The Rainbow Butterfly by Dora Schubert

Cute Little Butterfly Bead by LeighinAK

Blue Butterflies by CC Design

Sea Butterflies by Djinn Glass

Splayed Series Focal Lampwork by Patty Lakinsmith

Fairy Charm Bracelet by Janet Lily

Chalcedony Organic Handmade Lampwork Bead by rosebud101 (That's me! I cheated.)

Bill the Butterfly by Maybeads

Lovely Butterfly by Michoudesign

My Smiley Butterfly by Dorset Hill Beads

N + Joy = Enjoy!

Beads of Courage and Butterflies

In my opinion, Beads of Courage is one of the most empowering organizations for children who are ill. Each child in the program receives a bead for each step of their treatment program. Colors are important for Beads of Courage because they are treatment milestones of progress to these young people who are so very ill.

Purple hearts are given to children at the start of their treatment programs. There is always a need for purple hearts.

As treatments progress, and even after treatment is completed for these courageous children, death does happen. I cannot imagine a parent's grief as they loose a child.

Beads of Courage is also here for these grieving parents. Butterflies, a symbol of peace and hope, are given to parents who have lost a child. Please look at the Beads of Courage website. There are many ways to help. Your heart will be touched by the courage of these wonderful children and their parents.

I make 2 butterflies each time I torch. I've started to wire wrap them now, too, but I do know that butterflies are welcomed by this organization wrapped or not.

Beads of Courage - Tear Jerker Get the Kleenex Ready

Beads of Courage! You can help, too! Get the kleenex. This is a tear jerker, but please watch it! This tells the store of courage that just can't be matched!

Beads of Courage

Some of you who know me, know that I begin each torch session by making two purple hearts and two butterflies for Beads of Courage. I'm very pleased to say that this week, I will be sending in to Beads of Courage: 160 Purple Hearts and 153 Butterflies. The purple hearts go to the children who have finished their treatments. The butterflies are given to parents who have lost a child. Here is a video I found on UTube that shows how the beads are used. Get out the kleenex. You are probably going to need more than one when you see the courage of these children.