My latest Beads of Courage Beads

Following on from the 52 little things project last year where I made a special bead each week for Beads of Courage, this year I am going to be having a studio afternoon each month instead

My first offerings are these sweet Fun Guys with googly eyes and chubby cheeks!

I got a chance to nip into the studio for February's BoC play afternoon yesterday and made these very cute Monkey Shines! beads. The tutorial for these is by Sharon Peters and can be found in the Hot Glass for Cool Kids e-book written by Diane Woodall last year.

They were so so so much fun to make!

If you make lampwork beads and have some that you'd like to donate to Beads of Courage then the addresses need to know are:

UK
Be Child Cancer Aware
Beads of Courage
2, Park Close
Wickford
Essex
SS12 9EH

USA, Japan, New Zealand:
Beads of Courage
3230 N. Dodge Blvd.,
Suite J Tucson,
AZ 85719

United States
Canada: Beads of Courage
Attn: Bead Donations
3119 35th Ave SW
Calgary,
Alberta
T3E 0Z8
Canada

Have a great day, Jolene xx

52 little things week 52 and a 2013 round up

On the very last day of 2013 I thought  would be nice to reflect on the past year and some of the lovely things that have happened. It has been a wonderful year for Be Child Cancer Aware and Beads of Courage here in the UK.

It has been a very special year for me too and also a pretty special year for these little beep beep robot beads.  The very first one I ever made was for week 1 in my 52 little things project (to make a special bead each week for a  Beads of Courage child). I thought it would be lovely to finish the year with a little family of Beep Beeps because Childhood Cancer affects every member of a family and turns their world upside down.

I sent a picture of some of my little BoC Robots to Diane Woodall offering a tutorial for them for the Beads of Courage section of The Soda Lime Times magazine and they inspired her to create an ebook called Hot Glass for Cool Kids to raise funds for Beads of Courage in America. It has 20 wonderful tutorials written by artists from all over he world. So far the book has raised almost $14,000. I am so proud to have been part of that super special project.

The first time I began to fully appreciate the significance of the beads that I make and donate is when I happened to see a picture on Facebook with a note from one of the BoC Mums showing her daughter holding one of  the 50 little little robot beads that I made to fund raise in the run up to the summer Beadathon. She explained how that her daughter talks to her little robot bead. I honestly cried, it was so lovely.

This summer 11 amazing, lovely and talented UK bead makers gathered at my house for the second year running and we took turns to make beads solidly for 24 hours on two torches. We streamed the whole 24 hour event live across the internet, raised over £900 and made 165 beads to donate to BCCA.  I loved hosting the Beadathon, such hard work but such great fun and fingers crossed we will get another one organised in 2014. Below is my fave beady snap of 2013, taken by Marlene Minhas. We ran two kilns at the Beadathon, the first was kindly donated for the event by www.Kilncare.co.uk and this shows Sandy Kelly, a huge grin on her face, fetching the some of the first batch of Beadathon beads out of the kiln mid morning on the second day.

Through the latter part of 2012 and the start of 2013 I was working hard learning how to write with glass stringer on beads so that I could make and donate beads with kids names on to Beads of Courage. In April this year I had my first lampwork tutorial published in Beads and Beyond magazine, sharing the writing with glass technique. A huge thank you to Julie Fountain for recommending me to the editor for this project. It was thrilling to see my work in print in a British magazine and it spurred me on to submit more ideas and have two further tutorials published this year.

Another fab project that I have been helping with this year was the Walk of Courage. I put out a call for volunteer bead makers to create pairs of fire colour beads for brave folks to carry whilst walking over hot coals. The ones being shown off here by Ted Drummond were made by Elaine Hunter of Galloway beads (to see all of the beautiful fire walk beads click here). The event was a brilliant success, raising over £7800 and bringing some amazing beads to kids  on the Beads of Courage program.

This brilliant picture shows Ethan Drummond preparing to walk across the coals, he was the very first and youngest courageous fire walker.

2013 has been an amazing year full of wonderful projects that I feel so privileged to be part of. The cherry on the cake for me was an invitation to be the featured artists in the January 2014 issue of the Soda Lime Times. What a wonderful way to begin 2014.

It has been the most wonderful year of teamwork and achievements and laughter and I have a feeling that next year will be even more rewarding.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and an amazing 2014, Jolene xx

52 little things week 50 and 51

It is such a sweet and sad feeling that this very special project for me is drawing to the end. My week 50 and 51 beads are now finished and will soon be in the post to Be Child Cancer Aware to be gifted to children on the Beads of Courage program here in the UK.

It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to be able to give something of myself to the Beads of Courage kids and families this year. It is humbling to see and read how these glassy gifts that we give empower and uplift. They mean so much more to the kids who receive them than just a bead. They bring hope and smiles and comfort.

If you would like to find out more about the program please visit

http://www.bechildcanceraware.org/beads-of-courage


or check out the BCCA Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/bechildcanceraware

Have a super day, Jolene xx

52 little things weeks 46 and 47

 For some reason I got a little behind in week 46, no torch time all week so yesterday I made a pair of fun guys :-D One for week 46 and the other for this weeks smiley offering to Beads of Courage.

It is hard to believe that there are only 5 weeks left until Christmas, my heart goes out to all of the kids and parents who will be spending the festive season in hospital this year <3 br="">

If you would like to find out more about the Beads of Courage project here in the UK or about Be Child Cancer Aware and their valuable awareness raising projects please pop by their website

http://www.bechildcanceraware.org

Have a lovely day Jolene xx

52 little things week 45

This weeks special bead uses a combination of glass gold rich glass that gives an effect called Faux Boro. I have encased the whole bead in clear glass to trap the metallic effects inside and there are no metallic reduction effects on the surface which makes it perfect to donate to BoC.

If you make lampwork beads and would like to donate to BCCA for the Beads of Courage program here in the UK pop along and check out the artists guidelines here

Almost anything goes, as long as your beads have neat bead holes without sharp edges, no metallic reduction on the surface, are annealed and have been cleaned then they are perfect.

Please raid your fugly jars, sin bins, declutter your kitchen windowsill and send them in. Your beads will bring smiles and will be treasured and cherished.

Have a lovely day, Jolene xx

52 little things week 44 #blogtoberfest13 day 29

My special bead for Beads of Courage this week is a slightly more grown up take on a Christmas themed bead. It is still quite large, over an inch across, but I have decorated it with simple holly and berries.

I just wanted to take a moment to remember that Childhood Cancer affects teens and young adults too.

For more information on how to Be Child Cancer Aware and find out about the Beads of Courage program here in the UK please visit
www.bechildcanceraware.org

xx Jolene

52 little things week 41 #Blogtoberfest13 day 10

Christmas is in my thoughts this week, I can imagine it is an especially hard time for families who have a child who is so so poorly. For the next few weeks I will be making special Christmas themed beads to donate to Beads of Courage so that I can send them away to BCCA in good time.

This one is a frosted tree with gifts and fairy lights...I think I got carried a bit carried away.

Love Jolene xx

52 little things week 31 and 32

 A little catch up post to show you my special beads for BCCA Beads of Courage for week 31 and week 32 (because it is the start of week 33 today which means...shhhhh....19 weeks until Christmas *ducks*)....

I've chosen to make fairly grown up beads as part of my 52 little things project because there are young adults as well and babies, toddlers, kids and teens on the program here in the UK.

There are 4 separate layers of flowers withing this bead separated by layers of clear glass to give this flower garden bead a lot of depth. the burgundy glass is such a favourite of mine, it is called Multi Dark.

My week 32 flower garden bead is cherry red with lots and lots of different shaped flowers and leaves inside. They are pretty large scale beads, and inch or so across and were really fun to make.

September is fast approaching and with that comes childhood cancer awareness month. My September BoC beads will all be in gold (ok, bright yellow :-D) the colour of childhood cancer awareness and BCCA Ribbons. I had better get my thinking cap on!

Have a great day

Jolene xx

Sponsor or adopt a Beep Beep for BoC

Good morning, this is a pretty exciting and busy week! I need to spring clean the studio and make sure we have plenty of gas, snacks and drinks in for next weekend...less than a week to go until some fabulous ladies will be gathering here for our 24 hour lampwork beadathon for Beads of Courage. We will be making Act of Courage beads for the kids on the program and having some fun and larks along the way too.

I first started making these little robots as part of my 52 little things project. To count down the days I am making these sweet little robot beads which are available to adopt or sponsor to raise some funds for BoC - BCCA.

And the best bit, you get to give your little robot it's name.

Please visit my Facebook Album for all the info and find out how you can get involved xx

Have a wonderful weekend, Jolene xx

52 little things week 29

Here is this weeks special bead for Beads of Courage, this one is made with some delicious new colours from CiM, Nutmeg and Hazelnut Mousse.

The 2013 Summer Beadathon is nearly here! Just 8 days til we get started with our 24 bead making marathon on the 26th/27th July.

All the beads we make over that 24 hour session and all the cash we raise will be given to a small charity called Be Child Cancer Aware who fund, train hospitals and support the Beads of Courage program here in the UK.

This year is is also possible to donate to our Just Giving page by text by texting

BCCA99 
Followed by 
£2 or £3 or £5 or £10
to
70070

Wishing you a wonderful weekend in this glorious sunshine
Jolene x

52 little things week 28

This week I have been revisiting an idea from  week 2, fish bowl beads. This one is all sparkly and blue and I do so hope it brings a big smile to the face of a brave kid.

This year I have been making a special bead each week for BCCA - Beads of Courage. Beads of Courage in the UK is an arts in medicine program the helps children find their voice to speak about their personal journey through Cancer treatment.

Each treatment, be it Chemo, a blood transfusion, physio, has a signifying bead and with each treatment the child is given the corresponding bead for their string. Some kids end up with several strings, hundreds of beads, and their beads speak volumes. Special one of a kind beads like this fish bowl are made by glass artists like myself and donated to the program as Act of Courage beads. These extra special handmade beads are given to children as markers for exceptional experiences to reward and acknowledge their bravery and strength.

If you would like to know more about Beads of Courage here in the UK please visit the BCCA Facebook page or pop over to Just Giving where I currently have a page open for fundraising.

Have a great week, Jolene xx

52 little things week 27

This little cutie is called Lillybeth and she is my week 27 Act of Courage bead for Beads of Courage UK.

At the end of this month a group of fab bead making lass's are meeting at mine to spend 24 hours making beads to donate to BCCA for Beads of Courage....we may well broadcast the whole thing live on the web too so watch this space for more info.

To visit our Just Giving page please click
http://www.justgiving.com/2013Beadathon

Have a great day

Jolene xx

52 little things week 26

My special bead for Beads of Courage UK this week is Lucky Lobster. I think he's pretty cute so hopefully whoever he goes to live with will think he is cute too.

Have a great day

Jolene xx

Beadathon '13 keyrings auctions

I'm trying out something new, my very first Facebook auctions. There are 5 very special keyrings up for grabs, all proceeds will be given to a small charity called Be Child cancer Aware via our Summer Beadathon 2013 Just Giving Page. These special commemorative keyrings have been on offer for just two days and are doing very well so far. I'm so pleased as the money will help support the Beads of Courage program in the UK and it is such a great cause.

Please click the grey links to go see how the auctions are going......

The Blue One....

 The Green One....

The Pink One...

The Purple One....

And in Childhood Cancer awareness colours....
The Yellow One....

Each keyring comes with a matching bead that will be given to a child on the Beads of Courage program with a special note from the auction winner.

The auctions will not close until June 30th and so there is plenty of time to pop by and show your support.

Please look out for more info coming soon on The Summer Beadathon, 24 hours of lampwork bead making to make Act of Courage beads for Children on the Beads of Courage Program here in the UK.

Have a wonderful weekend, Jolene x

52 little things week 25

Meet Delores, she is my week 25 bead for Beads of Courage UK in the 52 little things project I'm doing this year.

To find out more about Beads of Courage here in the UK please visit the BCCA Facebook page as they are the fabulous little family run charity that manages and fully funds the program in Oncology wards in hospitals all across the country.

I'd also like to give a shout out for the 2013 Summer Beadathon that I will be hosting in my studio on the 26th/27th July.

A wonderful group of glass artists will be gathering here in Middlesex to work in shifts for a whole 24 hours to make Act of Courage beads to donate to BCCA for BoC kids.

Please take a moment to visit our Just Giving Page and sponsor us a pound or two if you can. All funds raised will go straight to BCCA.

Have a wonderful week, Jo x

52 little things week 22

Welcome to week 22 of 52 in my year long challenge. I am making and donating a special bead for each week of the year for the Beads of Courage program here in the UK. The program is sponsored by a small family run charity called Be Child Cancer Aware and is in place in 45 UK hospitals for children with cancer and blood disorders.

Act of Courage beads like this little purple robot and  are and gifted by glass artists all over the UK and Europe. They are given to children and teens on the program to mark milestones on a child's treatment journey. The strings of beads (in many cases hundreds of beads) that a child enrolled with BoC will collect through the course of their treatment are a powerful tool. They are a tangible way for friends, families and care givers to be able to see and recognise courage and bravery.


The Beads of Courage program helps to help to reduce illness related distress and encourages positive coping strategies. Every treatment bead gives a child something tangible to use to be able to discuss their treatment and experience. Beads of Courage are very powerful and I am very proud to be able to do something to help bu doing something I love, making glass beads. If you would like to know more about the program here in the UK please visit

Jolene x

52 little things - week 10

Good morning, this year is speeding away so fast, it's week 10 in the Craft Pimp Forum Year Long Challenge already. This little poppet is my week 10 bead for a special kiddie on the Beads of Courage program. You can check out the week 10 show and tell thread here.

If you would like to find out more about BCCA and Beads of Courage please click here

Have a lovely week
Jolene xx

52 little things - week 8

Over on CP we are having a year long challenge to make one small handmade thing each week. I am making a special lampwork bead each week for Beads of Courage here in the UK. It is an absolutely brilliant arts in medicine project which is fully funded in the UK by a small family run charity called Be Child Cancer Aware, If you would like to find out more then this clicky link goes to the BCCA Facebook page.

To check out the Craft Pimp Forum YLC Week 8 thread and see what other peeps are making click here.

Have a great week, Jolene xx

52 little things - week 6

It's week six in CP's fab challenge for 2013, a year long project to make 52 little things. For my part I've decided to create a special bead each week for Beads of Courage. This is our YLC (year long challenge) week 6 show and tell and here is my special bead for the week, all bumpy and blue.

Jolene xx

52 little things - week 5

Craft Pimp Forum has a new project for 2013, a year long project to make 52 little things. people are making all sorts, a wide variety of small hand crafted items. I've decided to make a special bead each week for Beads of Courage. Here is the YLC (year long challenge) week 5 show and tell for you to go take a peek.

So this is my week 5 make, this bright bonny bead has been etched for a matt finish and has been faceted too. 

Jolene xx