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.

Glass Artist Jennifer Umphress Needs Your Help- And It's So Easy...

Jennifer Umphress's Glass Art

The 14 year old son Izaiah, of one of our fellow glass artists, Jennifer Umphress, has Burkitts Lymphoma cancer.  Jennifer and her husband have had to move to be close to him while Izaiah is going through cancer and chemo treatments at the hospital.  Which means...Jennifer can't do her glass art.

So, a fabulous raffle has been set up, to help pay for living costs in a second location.  Doesn't that make you proud of our glass world?  It does me.

And the raffle is held monthly on the 10th of each month with raffle tickets at different levels.  Wait until you see the goodies.  The photo at the top is not one of the items, ( it is one of my favorite pieces of hers) but she does have another piece that is in the raffle!  Yikes, wouldn't that be wonderful to win!  And so many more artists have donated pieces that are fabulous too.

So, head over to command central...the Umphress's Family & Friends blog and read through.  The paypal button at the bottom of the page is the way to buy the raffle tickets.  And help out one of our fellow artists and her family.  And by the way, 14 year old Izaiah's body is responding to the chemo and the tumor on his kidney is shrinking (hooray!) but there are still months left to go for treatment.

So now that I've written this, I'm heading back over to their blog to buy some raffle tickets.  Wishing all of you the best of luck and let's give Jennifer (who is a sweetie) a helping hand.

,

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.

Look What I Won- A Christmas Tree Covered with Lampwork Ornaments

Last Wednesday was my lucky day.  I don't know whether the moon and stars were aligned, whether it was destiny or what happened, but it sure was a delight.

After seven years of buying lots of tickets, I won the raffled Southern Flames Christmas Tree that night.

Members brought lampwork tree ornaments and converted beads (and even some sculptural glass earrings too!) and hung them on the tree.  In return, they received raffle tickets and everyone was eligible to buy tickets also.  I had brought my share of ornaments and had my length of raffle tickets and joked about never winning anything.

I have so many wonderful ornaments on it and feel so lucky.  A white raven, multiple Santas, a purple fish, all different kinds of icicles, blown balls, pendants, earrings, doves, dragon and a sweet angel on the top of the tree.  I keep it next to my computer.

And then there's my grinch.  Isn't he wonderful?  This was done by Maureen McRorie, (remember the post about voting for her?) and he's about 6" tall out of soft glass.  Those are some pretty amazing the details on him.

But the best part about the entire tree, is that these are handmade by my friends and each one is a bit of them that I get to keep.  The tree and its ornaments are a symbol of what I will treasure the most and you can see how lucky I really am.

Lampworker Shannon Hill Needs Our Help

If you've been on some of the lampwork forums, you might already be aware that fellow lampwork glass artist, Shannon Hill is quite sick. He was recently diagnosed with Lung Cancer, and according to reports, "it's bad". But worse, Shannon doesn't have medical insurance.

So needless to say, the lampwork community has banded together and found multiple ways that you can help, if you can.

1. Buy some raffle tickets that benefit Shannon here. Great selection and watch for additional items being added. Tickets are only $5 and it's paypal. You can also donate items for the raffles here too. I'm giving you fair notice, I'd really love to win that Poppy Vetrofond glass. But if you get it, I'll still be your friend.

2. Visit Shannon's website and order some of his gorgeous beads. He has some beauties. And as an old married woman I'm allowed to say this...enjoy his bio photo while you're there.

3. Not in the mood for beads or raffle tickets? What about his great instructional dvd or video?

4. You can donate directly to his paypal account by logging into paypal and using his paypal address (which is found at the bottom of this page) to send money. Just be sure to write a note and tell him who you are and what it is for, please.

I do not know Shannon personally, but have always heard such nice things about him. I am hoping that those who are able to, will try to help in some very small way. Send him healing thoughts, prayers and well wishes and know that this is one of the real spirits of the season.

See you tomorrow with some tips I recently picked up and don't forget, I just added a 25% or More SALE section to my etsy shop...
Marcy