Deronda designs: A Bit of this, A Bit of That....

I'm not sure what to blog about today. I've got a different type of butterfly beads...

these aren't too bad, but...still not quite there. I'm not sure which style I like better, so maybe I should do some of each?

If any of you make art beads of any kind, please consider Beads of Courage. They need beads of all kinds. Robert posted this in our challenge thread yesterday~

Heads and faces are really popular beads. I don't do them very well at all, but we get lots of request for them and I'm hoping that there are others who like to do them and are better at it than me.

I heard from the folks at the main office this morning and we’ve got a need for beads at Beads of Courage. I didn't want to start a new thread on the same topic and highjack this very good discussion. You may see this posted around other places, too.

Here's the whole story. We’ve got about 7000 children enrolled in the programs across the country now and we go through lots and lots of Act of Courage beads as they work their way towards recovery. An Act of Courage bead is an artist-made bead of virtually any design or color, so it’s a good opportunity for you to stretch your color palette and design ideas. After a tough procedure the kids get to search though a collection of these beads to find the one bead that means something to them. I’ve observed this selection process myself and they like to go through the box and examine each bead carefully to find the one bead that speaks to them. Months later they can tell you what it represents, so it is a meaningful experience.

If you’ve been thinking about donating beads now might be a good time to send a few off. It doesn’t have to be a big ‘ole bag, just whatever you’d like to pass along. If you’ve been donating all along, I want to thank you for your contributions and hope that maybe you’ve got a few more stashed away.

I know that there are challenges and other organized donations going on around the country. These efforts are appreciated more than you might know and they really do make a difference.

If you have any beads to spare please send them to:
Beads of Courage, Inc.
3331 N Riverbend Circle West
Tucson, AZ 85750
Thanks very much,
Robert Simmons
Director for Bead Donations
Beads of Courage

So I will be going through the beads and deciding which ones will go to BOC this week. The butterflies can just go at a later date, I think.

I've finished a couple of other projects, but I can't show you quite yet. One is a gift for my daughter and the other for my mom. I'm pleased with both and would love to show you, but...I know Liza for sure peeks at my blog now and then.

My daughter asked if I would make a couple of pieces for her to donate to a silent auction for a young lady who was diagnosed with lymphoma and has no insurance. The auction was a huge success and they raised over $10,000.00 for her.