Sunday, October 28, 2012

Courage, Beads of Courage

This is Sammie D.  

He's one tough cookie.  

See all those beads?

 "Every bead tells a story of strength, honor and hope."

He earned one for each time he went through a procedure, surgery, etc.
 
He's actually due a few more for than you see here.  We're not going to go into all the heart wrenching things this little man has had to endure, but here's a glimpse of how far he's come in a mere 18 months.
Heart Warrior, Trooper, Miracle, Inspiration...
 
all these are fitting titles for the little prince 
I've been blessed to have as part of my extended family.

While I could go on and on about Sam, I want to tell you about the beads.
There are many programs that reward children for their bravery during procedures.  I'm going to share a bit about Beads of Courage.  This a program can be found in hospitals in the US, Canada, Japan, New Zealand & the UK.

I can't explain it any better so here's a bit from their website:
"What is the Beads of Courage Program?

The Program is a resilience-based intervention designed to support and strengthen children and families coping with serious illness. Through the program children tell their story using colorful beads as meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate milestones they have achieved along their unique treatment path."

 Not only does it show them how far they've come, but also gives them something bright and fun to hold on to when they are hurting.  Later, the strands become a visual story of their journey.  

Since resilience has been a goal of mine since a very powerful message was impressed upon me in 2010 the resilience of children has repeatedly caught my attention.

Having heard BOC mentioned before in the online beading world I am a part of I jumped at the chance to participate in a blog hop that would work at least in part with the program.

Jennifer Cameron of Glass Addictions is hosting an Art Charm Swap.  We've each made 11 charms, and sent them to her.  Soon we'll be receiving 10 charms, and the 11th will be auctioned off for BOC.  There are somewhere between 40-50 charms to be auctioned off so stay tuned for details so you can buy a treasure, and help BOC.





"Resilience is that ineffable quality that allows some people to be knocked down by life and come back stronger than ever."




Monday, October 15, 2012

Been Playin'

Lampwork by Crazy Lady Beads
Pink Ribbon Heart Tutorial found HERE
These were trial and error, but find some cool patterns HERE




I've been having fun around here, but a minute for something serious.  October is breast cancer awareness month, and I want you to take care of yourself.  You are important and precious.  Take the time for your monthly self exams and annual mammogram if appropriate.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

My Bead Table Blog Hop

A very long time ago I signed up for a challenge with Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures.  I paid a very small fee and received a surprise kit in the mail.  Which I talked about here.

Somewhere during the time I spent stewing on my ideas, and creating these pieces Lisa went and set up a whole new blog called A Grateful Artist.  Take time when you are done here to stop by her blog for a visit.  If you can, check out some of the other talented gals who participated in this challenge too.  

Anyway months after receiving the beads I am here to show you what my odd, little mind created with them.  Some of the pieces still need some work, but some of them I am quite proud of.   Heck as many times as these beads were lost, buried alive, spilled and forgotten I'm proud that most of them found a place to belong.  

Here's what I stared with:
Here's what's left:
Why are long necklaces so hard to photograph?
And here are the pieces in no particular order.
Necklace that's missing something.
Dangles from missing piece necklace
more detail of missing piece necklace
stretchy bracelet
ring & first attempt at crazy wire wrapping
not one for those who like to put their hands in their pockets, but so fun
the one little man took
earrings for the funky girl
more earrings
fall earrings
more earrings, but this time with matching bracelet
tiny drop necklace close-up
see very petite on 20in chain
firefly
Cha-Cha bangle
AHH!  I didn't finish wrapping behind the bottom stone.
Sometimes pictures talk too much!
This is just bad lighting, but should I let it naturally patina or spray it so it stay's shiny?
Inspired by Bones Season 1.  I miss that crazy, chunky jewelry.
Yes, only the chips were from the kit, but the rest was all in my stash.
Here's where that necklace started when I was debating back of the neck options.
 It's funny how things evolve especially when you are given this long to stew on it.
Did I tell you I've had this kit since August?

Ok that was 13 pieces.  I didn't even notice I made 13 pieces till I finished this post.  Yeah me!  And a big hug for Lisa who gave me this challenge.  Thanks so much Lisa for the kit, and all the work you put into the blog hop.

So which piece is your favorite?
I'm still deciding.

 


My Bead Table Blog Hop

Your Host: Lisa Lodge
 

Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
Ginger Bishop, lilmummylikes...<----(You are Here)
Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Michelle Buettner, Mishel Designs
Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life
Mikala Coates, Maybe Just Perhaps
Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Kathleen Douglas, Washoe Kat's
Mary Anne Klinglesmith Flesch, Hand Crafted Serenity
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Tanya Goodwin, A Work in Progress
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Shelly Joyce, Au jour le jour
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Susan Lloyd, Designs by Susan
Cynthia Machata, Antiquity Travelers
Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
Kristen Stevens, My Bead Journey
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Sneak Peek for the next hop

We were suppose to use all the beads sent to us and this is all I have left.
Oh yeah!  Go me!

AND I've actually brought some of my pinning to life.
The posters are for my son's teacher, and the bookmarks are for the classes I handle Scholastic book club for.  They will hold the order due date reminders next week.


Then I piled all the pieces I've created for the Bead Table Blog Hop in a heap and tried to take the worst picture ever.  Have fun figuring out what these are.  (Don't really guess in the comments.  I want it to be a surprise.  You've only got 3 more days.)



 


Saturday, October 6, 2012

Holiday Bling Blog Hop

Ok folks, today is the day.  Boy this hop turned out to be a roller coaster ride that I am still on.  Three typhoons made things crazy on this end.

Off topic-side note:  We are all fine.  And a special thanks to all you fabulous ladies who've expressed concern.  I'm truly blessed!  

I've never before put so much effort into the processes that follow creating the piece.  Packaging, shipping and verifying receipt had been the easy part.  Oh well, change keeps life interesting, right?  I hate to possibly ruin the surprise for Melinda, but here's what I sent.

The pattern is a beaded bauble titled Loopy that Gemma Andrews allowed several of us on the Operation Tackle that Bead Stash facebook group to test for her as she changed her kit pattern to a tutorial.  I messed it up adapted it a bit because my bauble was bigger than planned for, but I love it so much more.
And for my personal amusement here's a little string by string view.
and 'den...
and 'den...
Voila!
There is no way to photograph some things.  You can only truly enjoy them when you add the sense of touch.  This is one of those things.  It's actually aqua not baby blue like it shows on my screen.  It's the color of the sea where I dipped my feet after my walked this morning and many other mornings.

Despite waiting till the last package was taken off the last truck of the day no holiday bling arrived for me.  The guys at the post office didn't have to be so sweet, but they checked for me anyway.  Oh well. 

Early Holiday Greeting to All!  Now enjoy some more holiday bling with my fellow blog hop participants.  Oh, but first a big round of applause for our hostesses Shelly Graham Turner and Marlene Cupo.  Thank you so much all the hard work, Ladies!

Michelle Fanucchi http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
 Monique Urquhart http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Therese Frank http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Heather Otto http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton  http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.com
Linda Florian http://lilysofthevalleyjewelry.blogspot.com
Debbie Rasmussen http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca
Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Lo/  Lynn Jobber  http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.com
Leanne Loftus http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Rita/Toltec Jewels http://www.toltecjewels.blogspot.com
Shelly Joyce http://www.aujourlejour-shelly.blogspot.com
Shai Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Lennis Carrier http://www.windbent.net
Marla Gibson http://spiceboxdesigns.blogspot.com
Mary Howell Govaars http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Linda Younkmann www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com
Shirley Jones Moore http://​www.beadsandbread.blo​gspot.com
Melinda Orr http://www.orrtec.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turner http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Sonya Stille  http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Anindita Basu http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Dee Elgie  http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Lori Jean Poppe http://lorillijeanscreativecorner.blogspot.com
Charlie Jacka http://clay-space.com/blog
Stephanie Stamper (Woods) http://skwds.blogspot.com
Mary Hicks, Shannon Hicks http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com




Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Barely Hanging On

This post is not meant for sympathy.  I just want to share.  It may help someone.  It might help me too.  Since I am blessed so greatly I was due for some hardships, but it's been wearing me down.  It seems like I'm trapped in the tide.  I can see the shore.  I know I'm not in any real trouble, but I'm tired of trying to catch my breath.  Figuratively speaking of course.  I have had a few tiny over-stressed fits here recently and I suspect they aren't over yet, but letting it out and keeping on moving forward is much better than staying stuck in a bad place.  So don't worry about me.  I'm not worried about me.  I'm just worried about some things that I am sure will work out eventually.  We've all had these times, and I'm sure I'll be here again.  For now, I just keep moving forward.
art by Michael Crichlow