Asheville Torching

By the time this posts, I will have been in Asheville, NC for the long weekend at Fire On The Mountain with about 30 other lampworkers.  Organized by Marjorie Langston and Terry Hale, this twice a year gathering of beadmakers, is such a delight.  It's held in an old Fire House which is Touch of Glass and owned by Gary Newlin.

Not having photos yet to post, I used the little gorilla that I taught up at this retreat quite a few years ago.
And below is a class photo from the students who watched my demos.

You see, there are a variety of demos for the participants to watch and then attempt.  This year besides lampwork, we will be learning some metal jewelry techniques as well.  These will be done by Angie Ramey, Melanie Hazen and Carol Crye.

Hopefully in a few days, I can show you what I learned and give you a bit more of a recap.  But until then, I'm just going to bask in the wonderful sharing that is going on, and cross my fingers that I don't get lost on the way driving home, like I usually do.

See you tomorrow!

The Big Beads of Courage Drawing for My Cricket Torch!

Perhaps you remember that this Cricket Torch raffle has been going on for the entire month of March.   For every 25 beads or $25, the donor receives a raffle chance.  And  wouldn't you know it, there's been an overwhelming response.  Way over 6,000 beads have been sent in to Beads of Courage.   I'm so delighted with our wonderfully generous lampwork community.  And even better, quite a few folks have stepped forward with additional raffle gifts, so there are lots more to give away.

Here are two photos of the many which have been posted on the raffle blog, http://www.givebeadsofcourage.blogspot.com.  Please pop by and see all of the wonderful beads that are going to the kids.  I'll leave the blog online after the raffle is completed for everyone's viewing pleasure.

So before I do the drawing today, I'm going to double check my raffle tickets to the donations and then I'll be using the online number generator.  You can see it here.  And after that- I'll post to the BOC Blog and start contacting both the recipients and the other gift donors as well.  I'm excited for all of it!

And of course, the big winners are the kids.  Having watched them pick beads at one of our local events, I know that they think about it pretty carefully when choosing.  (and like a complete bead dork, I was watching to see if they'd pick one I had donated.) 

Cheers to the lampwork community - you make me so proud to be associated with all of you.

Donate to Beads of Courage & Win A Cricket Torch!

This is the Cricket Torch!

I am so excited!  It's time to for a little "pay it forward".  I was so lucky that my friends and family supported me in FlameTree Glass' Christmas contest and how fantastic-- I won a torch.  This one!  But on the other hand, I own one almost exactly like it.  (it's purple too!)

So I thought perhaps it's time to give back to all of you, my friends and it's your turn to win it.

I've started a blog with all the details right here.  http://www.GiveBeadsOfCourage.blogspot.com
It has all the details and fine print, but essentially here are the basics.

For every $25 or 25 bead donation to Beads of Courage, you receive a chance to win this GTT Cricket torch pictured above. This promotion is ONLY for the month of February starting on the 1st and ending on the 28th at midnight.  If you donate 200 beads, then you get 4 chances...easy peasy!

Please read the blog and check out the details.  There are some specific, (but easy) things you need to do to be sure you are entered for your donations.  Like send a photo of your donation to me, Marcy Lamberson, to post on that blog.  There are a few more minor points to be sure you can be contacted if you win!

Please join me in supporting kids with cancer and other life threatening illnesses.  Let's make their healing journey a little easier through our art and Beads of Courage.