When I responded to a request for designers to participate in the Beads of Courage Design Challenge I had no idea what they were all about. When I visited the website to purchase the bead to work with, I discovered just how neat this program is. They provide supportive care programs for children coping with serious illness and their families. Some really incredible artists design, execute and donate art beads and 100% of the proceeds raised from sales of those beads goes to support the mission.
The bead I chose is titled "If LIFE was a Bead", inspired by a drawing by Cheryl Czajka, a BoC member at Central DuPage Hospital. She says life is "the tree of life... the tree to me stands for nature and life. Branches are like friends and the roots are people or things that make you grow and can make you stronger." The bead artist was Robert Simmons, Ph.D., from Atalanta, GA.
I wanted to do something simple and playful with this bead, so I hung it from a strap of macrame knots punctuated with glass beads. Random meandering of beads on cord. No real pattern, no charted out course - just like life.
It's swingy and fun to wear. Totally uncomplicated - there isn't even a clasp. It just slips on over the head.
If you aren't familiar with Beads of Courage, I hope you will take a minute to stop by the website to see what they're all about.
What a lovely program and what a lovely necklace you made. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana!
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