To Everyone - Friends/Prayer Bracelet

MarieG10 wrote

on Nov 6, 2009 9:32 AM

Hi All,

Not sure where I should post this, so I'm putting it here.  If I shouldn't post here, please (someone) let me know where the appropriate place would be.

I asked a dear friend here to send me a bead from her "neck of the woods" as I would like like to make a Friends prayer bracelet.  Each bead will represent a BD friend who I can prayer for and think of when I look at the bracelet.  I would love to have beads from each of you and I would be happy to send you one also if you would like. 

I'm working on some polymere clay techniques and am hoping to make some of my own beads when I'm a bit more recouped - so if you would like one of those, I'd be happy to send one of those if you would prefer that.

If you would like to join me in this, please email me through BD and we can swap addresses and start our bracelets or collections.

Marie

Zerenity by Inca wrote

on Nov 6, 2009 1:24 PM

I love that idea - I will send you my info

LoisB@23 wrote

on Nov 6, 2009 1:28 PM

 Me too! I'm sending you my info now.

JeanB@18 wrote

on Nov 6, 2009 2:17 PM

 Marie

I would love to do this, so count me in I will send you my information

Jean

Gyspy Mary wrote

on Nov 6, 2009 3:14 PM

 Wow! this is so neat! I signed up for a BD forum and gained an entire family of new folks.

I love that you all reach out and care about each other. Help each other mend.

Count me in!

MarieG10 wrote

on Nov 6, 2009 4:10 PM

 Mary,

I couldn't have said it better myself.  What a blessing my BD "family" is. This year has been long and lonely and BD has been a life line not only for company, but in reminding me of how many truly wonderful people are out there.    I received e-mails from all these ladies and I have to tell you, I am smiling from ear to ear. You guys are just the best.

LisaKwaj wrote

on Nov 7, 2009 3:31 AM

Hi, Marie, welcome to the forum!!!  Your suggestion is a really good one.  So often one or more of us need special prayers; it would help me a lot to have a tangible reminder of those for whom I need to pray each day.

I wonder if there is some way we could (1) label our bead as our own (so that when Cat needs prayers, for example, I could easily identify Cat's bead), and (2) structure our prayer bracelets so that we can add/remove beads as our friends need special prayers.  Of course, all of us can certainly use a little extra power from above all the time.  But I'd like to have a bracelet that includes Cat and Pam right now, for example, plus others who have especially asked for prayers recently, kwim?  Then once Pam recovers from her knee surgery, I could remove her bead from the "extra prayers" bracelet, and add it to a "friends" bracelet.  Do you see where I'm going with this?

So I've posed a couple of questions, and haven't offered any suggestions.  I have to admit that my brain is tired tonight, it's been a long day.  The only thing that comes to mind quickly is to attach each bead as a charm with a lobster claw, but that’s kinda “blah”.  I’ll bet there are much more creative solutions out there…

LoisB@23 wrote

on Nov 7, 2009 6:05 AM

 Lisa-- I have an answer to ONE of your questions, though not the other. All you have to do is make your bracelet out of a nice larger link chain, and put ALL the individual beads and charms on little lobsterclaw clasps. Then you can add and remove them at your discression.

As for being able to identify them... well.... all I can say is keep them in baggies with their names on them till you can remember which is which, OR take a photo of each one, and label that photo with the name of the sender. That's all I got!

Lois

oops... somehow I must have skimmed over your last couple of lines and totally missed that you had thought of that... too early!

MarieG10 wrote

on Nov 7, 2009 8:08 AM

 Lisa,

Those are great ideas.  Hmm, the lobster claw idea is all I can think of or maybe a wire  type link that could be moved around.  I'll play around with some wire and see if I can come up with anything workable that would be small, but sturdy enough for moving back and forth.  As to identifying them.  I have a pretty good memory when I associate things with people, so I THINK I'll know whose is whose, but I think I'll take pics too. Great idea Lois.  

I wish we had a forum here specifically for prayer requests as I don't always see everyone's needs. 

As to the idea.  The bracelet idea is mine, but Gypsy Mary is the one who encouraged me to post it, so my thanks go to her.  I would not have thought of putting it out to everyone if she had not suggested it.   

JSmaz wrote

on Nov 7, 2009 9:01 AM

Usually we use the off topic section for prayer requests and people start new threads for whatever they want to talk about.  We could make a "prayer request" thread that you list your request in and anyone can read through so they know who needs what.  Just a thought.

Cat_P wrote

on Nov 8, 2009 12:01 AM

 Hey I love the idea since I have my own "BD friend charm bracelet" currently circulating the country having charms added. How about that!

I would love to send you a bead! I'll send my info :)

MarieG10 wrote

on Nov 8, 2009 9:22 AM

 Jeni.  That's a good idea.  I'm popping over to the off topic forum and starting a thread for prayer requests.  Hope everyone will use it. 

Sheila H wrote

on Nov 8, 2009 10:57 AM

 I have a thought but this would require some time and effort from the organizer...

The organizer has people sign up for the prayer/family bracelet ( it may end up being a necklace! LOL! ) and says "okay, everyone send me 30 of their special beads". The organizer could then snap a picture or each bead and note who it represents.

For example...I pick out a special bead that represents myself. It could be something as simple as a 8mm Dark Blue Bicone bead. So I would send 30 of those.

Mary chooses a light pink and white swirled glass bead, she sends 30...etc etc

The organizer can then send everyone a set of beads. Then either pictures could be posted of the bead with the person's first name/BD name under it, or a simple list could be compiled with a description and the person's name/BD name and sent with the beads.

Then each person could create their own piece with it. Whether that be 3-4 bracelets or one bigger piece, etc.

Just my thought! But...like I said, it would take some time and effort on who is organizing it...

Zerenity by Inca wrote

on Nov 8, 2009 10:59 AM

I love your idea Sheila ... I would love to be in on makeing a friendship bead swap ...
(are you arrangeing it?)

Sheila H wrote

on Nov 8, 2009 11:21 AM

 I could but I don't want to take away from Marie's thought. It would be up to her if she is not up to arranging it.

Marie...the Bead is in your court... LOL!  ( sorry, bad play on words! )