2012 Beads Of Courage Art Charm Swap and Reveal

What a fun and CHALLENGING challenge! This year's art charms swap's theme is laughter. Not known for making whimsical beads, I tortured myself over what to make. For you see, while this is a fun swap, it's really about the kids in the Beads of Courage, (BOC) program. What an amazing organization!

The organizer of the swap, Jennifer Cameron, asked us to create 11 art charms to swap with other participants, one of which will be auctioned off on ebay at 3PM EST along with all the other charms, the proceeds of which will be donated to BOC. BOC is a wonderful program started by Jean Baruch, to help children who are coping with serious illnesses and their families. The children are given artisan beads for certain milestones in their treatment program. I've been a supporter of BOC for some time now so was delighted to participate.

Back to my dilemma.....I tried to think of something the kids might like, something whimsical in keeping with the 'laughter' theme. I finally realized that I was making it more difficult than it had to be. I wanted it to be something that both boys and girls would appreciate. I created a yellow sun lampwork bead with red and yellow rays and using my tools, I made the eyes and a smiley face. I wired it up with a crystal at each end. But I felt it needed more. I found these adorable pennies on ebay that had a smiley face cut out. I'm really pleased with how it came out. I hope my swap partners are too. But more importantly, please bookmark this link for the auction. I hope it brings in lots of money for the Beads of Courage program.

Please also check out the other participants' blogs to see the adorable charms they created. I've highlighted in red those people whose adorable charms I received. Love them all!

Auction Site, beginning @ 3PM EST today!! http://myworld.ebay.com/glassaddictions

Alenka Obid http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchage-reveal.html
Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-blog-hop-and-auction.html 
Babette Cox http://babettecox.com/blog.htm
Carol Watson http://www.carolwatsonartglass.blogspot.com
Carolyn Chenault  http://carolynchenault.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/beads-of-courage-auction/ 
Cassi Paslick http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-charm-swap-reveal.html
Charlene Jacka http://clay-space.com/2012/11/early-christmas/
Cheri Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/2012/11/to-participate-in-charm-swap-you-must.html
Cheryl McCloud http://cherylmccloud.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-blog-hop-and-beads-of.html
Deb Kauzlarich http://debkauzlarich.blogspot.com  
Denielle Hagerman http://somebeadsandotherthings.com  
Emma Todd  http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-in-aid-of-boc.html
Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-laugh.html
Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchange-2012.html
Inge vonRoos http://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Jean Peter http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/ http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-charm-swap.html
Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog/2012/11/12/beads-of-courage/
Jennifer Cameron http://wp.me/p1xIa0-wn
Kia Dallons http://kiadallonsstudio.blogspot.jp/2012/11/laughter-is-best-medicine.html
Kimberly Roberts http://bahamadawn.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap.html
Kristi Bowman  http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-hop.html 
Lea Avroch http://lajewelrydesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-beads-of-courage-art-charm-swap.html *that's me! :) * 
Leslie Schenkel http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/?p=171
Linda Florian http://www.lilysofthevalleyjewelry.blogspot.com/
Lori Greenberg http://lorigreenberg.com/blog
Lynnea Bennett http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com  
Mallory Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-time-has-come-art-charm-blog-reveal.html
Marcy Lamberson http://studiomarcy.blogspot.com/2012/11/charmed-by-minions-im-sure.html
Marsha Neal Studio http://marshanealstudio.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-exchange-and-beads-of-courage.html
Maureen Connolly http://mrsbeadsley.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-reveal.html 
Melissa Meman http://melissameman.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-blog-hop.html
Monique Urquhart http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/2012/11/charmed-im-sure.html
Natalie McKenna http://www.grubbi.co.uk/ 
Perri Jackson  http://shaktipajdesigns.com/11/blog/reveal-the-laughter-art-charms/
Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchange-auction-and-reveal.html
Robin Koza http://www.robinkoza.com 
Shaiha Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-hop.html
Shannon Hicks  http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Shelby Foxwell http://sundownbeaddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal.html   
Shelley Graham Turner http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/2012/11/reveal-2012-charm-swap.html
Shirley Moore http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-art-charm-reveal.html
Stephanie Haussler http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/laughter-art-bead-charm-swap-auction.html
Susan Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-charm-swap-reveal-and.html
Toltec Jewels http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2012/11/BOCArtCharmRevealBlogHop.html
Vanessa Gilkes http://culturezine.com/blog/

Beads of Courage

Let me just say that I've only been back on the torch recently after a 3 month hiatus following spine surgery. And, living in NY and it being WINTER, we've been hit by lots of snow and cold weather....not the ideal torching weather when your studio is in the garage as mine is.

When temps hit 40 the other day I decided to turn on the space heater and brave the cold. I turned on the kiln, lit the torch, but somehow it just was not my day. The kiln fairies must have been visiting someone else that day because it sure wasn't me. So instead of forcing things I decided to work on some butterflies for Beads of Courage (BOC)

For those unfamiliar with BOC, it's an amazing program for children coping with serious illnesses. If you want to see what it's all about and some of the children it's helping, watch this recent video broadcast on CBS Sunday Morning.

They collect all sorts of beads, but 2 in particular have special meaning. Purple hearts, which indicate the end of treatment and butterfly beads, which are given to parents who have lost a child.

Now back to beads....I have never made butterflies before, but decided it was time to test my creative skills in this area. Nothing else was working that day so I thought it would be a good day to attempt some butterflies. I am fairly pleased with my 1st attempt and will be sending these off to BOC (once they're cleaned of bead poop of course) along with some orphan beads that the kids might like.