Power of Beading Contest & Charity Fundraiser

re: Power of Beading Contest & Charity Fundraiser

Jen Jones — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:33:20 GMT

Kerrie's generosity (and beautiful ribbon pattern!) is so uplifting. It's wonderful to see people combining their bead talents with the desire to make the world a better place. I've been doing beadwork for nearly 20 years, but really only became serious about it a year ago...and then this last Feb, 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the tender young age of 30. I had a bilateral mastectomy, 4 mos. of chemotherapy, 6 weeks of radiation, and will do 6 years of hormone therapy. At some point early this last summer, I put my head down, started doing beadwork (it seems all I could do with my sorely lacking energy level in the midst of chemo!) and worked and worked and worked until finally, towards the end of summer I lifted my head, took a breath, looked around and realized I was going to survive this thing...

In the meantime, my beadwork took a substantial leap forward, but I know I can do more! Please visit my site at http://ladibugj.wordpress.com - I've put together somewhat of a clearinghouse of ideas & website links for bead artists who want to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

re: Power of Beading Contest & Charity Fundraiser

Jeannieb@11 — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:18:49 GMT

I just reaad this page today, and would like to share why I started beading. My beading experience really took hold 4 years ago dec,20, 2004, I had dabbled in it and really didn't get very far, but when I lost my job due to taking too many sick days, I finally found out after numerous Dr visits that I had MALT lymphoma IV B, a type of non-hodgkins lymphoma found in the stomach lining and lymphatic tissue throughout my whole body, stomach cancer. Since I no longer had a job I wanted to keep busy: so I learned beading,crocheting and to knit-very poorly- but I have since learned to bead my own rings with glass stones and some semi presious cab and stone cabachon rings which I have given away to friends and family. I have found out that all my designs for the rings have all been different, I don't seem to be able to make any 2 alike, because of chemo my memory seems to take a back seat, sometimes happens to the best of us. I am now 44 and really enjoy my life- in some ways cancer has made my life better. I am in remission and have been for 3 years, a place I have been told is only held by very few of us stomach cancer survivors, and not for vey long. Faith and beading has taking me a long way, and God willing it will take me further...I am hoping to eventually sell my beaded rings, and give away many more! I hope to someday submit a project for this magazine.

re: Power of Beading Contest & Charity Fundraiser

Shoppyshoppy — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:03:13 GMT

Beading led me to a wonderful non-profit called Stewart's Caring Place (www.stewartscaringplace.org). They are a cancer wellness and support center offering counseling, programming, healing arts, etc. My best friend lives in California and was diagnosed four years ago with stage 3 breast cancer. Since I live in Ohio, I could support her by visiting and talking but wanted to so something more. This led me to discover that Stewart's was opening to the public and was just around the corner from me. We wanted to create public awareness of their services through a fun, community friendly event. Because I bead and do art shows, I had a wonderful network of artist contacts. With their help, I created the Stewart's Caring Place Annual Holiday Boutique & Community Open House. It's a wonderful way for artists to sell their work (many of whom are cancer survivors), open the doors to the community, and raise valuable funds for programming through sales and raffle. If I win the pin, I will put it in the raffle as a special prize. Thank you!

Marla Schleider, 3424 Stanley Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333

re: Power of Beading Contest & Charity Fundraiser

LoisR@8 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:39:12 GMT

In November, 2008 I will be a 5 year breast cancer survivor. Now that is really something to celebrate. We are having our Relay for Life Event in two weeks. I work at a elementary school and get all the kids involved in raising money for this worthy cause. I began beading over two years ago and it is the best thearpy and hobby I have done. I use to knit, crohet, crosstitch, quilt, but this beading is the most fun and rewarding thing I could do. We have one of the most wonderful bead stores in our area. My hobby started when I noticed the new bead store and my granddaughter, age 12 at time was making earring...welll that started my hobby. The bead store is having a breast cancer awarness campaign. She has a special basket in her store and customers and beaders are making breast earrings to donate to our Look Good Feel Better Program for cancer patients. I would love one of the pink cancer beaded ribbon...would really love the directions..for I could make some for our Relay for Life. Thanks for a wonderful...love getting your information everyday..look forward to it everyday. Thanks for all you do. Lois Rabb P.O. Box 25 Bostic, NC 28018

re: Power of Beading Contest & Charity Fundraiser

AmotaG — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:45:54 GMT

I am a breast cancer survivor. My sister was diagnosed in 2003 with stage 4 Breast Cancer and due to her diagnosis, I had my first mammogram on Good Friday and was diagnosed with breast cancer. With many prayers and support of family and friends, we are both survivors.!!! During my treatments, I became turned on to beading and it became my hobby and such good therapy to me. I now make jewelry to sell and the proceeds I give generously to cancer research. Would you be willing to donate a pattern to me so that I may make some of the ribbon pins.?I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks!

Anita Golub

anitagolubuga@bellsouth.net

re: Power of Beading Contest & Charity Fundraiser

Michelle Mach — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:44:40 GMT

Hi Pam,

Of course you have permission! Hope it isn't too late!

Michelle

re: Power of Beading Contest & Charity Fundraiser

lefthandedstitcher — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:00:47 GMT

Michelle,

I would like to share this information with my EGA chapter. May I have your permission to reprint this post in our newsletter? We will gladly send you a copy.

Thank you,

Pam