Fundraising for Suor Angelica Opera

Last week I mention in my BTW post that I've been working on making some jewelry to benefit a friend who has been given an extraordinary opportunity. Since I finally got a few of those pieces in the shop this morning I figured I'd share more about this (with some of the jewelry I've made scattered in for good measure.)

Cross My Heart Necklace

My friend, Melanie, has been invited to sing the lead role in Puccini's opera Suor Angelica this summer in Rome as part of Operafestival di Roma 2012. As you can imagine, this opportunity could be life-changing for Melanie. While it includes four weeks of training and a week of performances, the cost of tuition for the program is rather steep.  As such, she is doing everything she can to try to raise the funds in order to participate.

Modern Religion Necklace

That's where I come in. Melanie approached me about making some jewelry that would symbolize Suor Angelica and donating a small percentage to her Rome fund. I thought this was a fantastic idea and a way that I could help her. So, 50% of the sales of the items in the Sour Angelica Fundraiser section of my shop with go into Melanie's fund.

Music for Your Soul

Since I am not familiar with the opera, Melanie informed me that it is about a nun, Sister Angelica, who lives in a convent. She uses flowers and herbs to make medicines for her other sisters. Melanie will be performing this production in an actual church in Rome. How cool is that!? Anyway, based on the theme of the opera, many of the pieces in this collection have crosses and music notes. I will be making additional items for the collection, but I wanted to get the ball rolling on my fundraising efforts for Melanie.

Music Dreams Necklace

If you are interested in helping Melanie achieve this dream but don't want to have to purchase jewelry from me, please visit Melanie's fundraising site for Suor Angelica in Rome. You can donate there, follow Melanie's fundraising efforts, and even see a video of her. Remember, every little bit helps!

Rose Garden Necklace

If the current items in the shop don't appeal to you, please come back by my Suor Angelica shop section another time as I will be adding more items as I get them made. Remember, 50% of all monies collected from the items sold out of this section will be going directly to Melanie.
Thanks!

7000 Bracelets for Hope 2012

It's time for the reveal of our creations for the 7000 Bracelets for Hope Blog Hop.

Erin of Elysian Studios and Christine of One Kiss Creations decided to co-host this year's blog hop to benefit the Global Gene's Project. It is their mission to collect 7000 denim-blue inspired bracelets for families living with rare disease.

I participated in this same campaign last year when Lori of Pretty Things hosted the Hop. If you are interested in what I made last year, just click here to see my reveal.

I started by picking my beads. Weirdly enough. I decided to use the same beads as last year since they seem to be the perfect denim blue shade. In fact, I realized that I had already made a bracelet that would be perfect for the hop. However, but it was made with copper wire and I wanted something that was a bit more neutral. So, I started with a silver-tone wire for this bracelet.

Using a heavy gauge wire, I connected the large, blue glass beads to each other with simple loops.

While the beads simply lined up were pretty, the bracelet just didn't have any fun, movement, or joy that I wanted to add to the life of the family who receives the bracelet. So, I added some dangles that were created with white sequins as well as blue, white, and silver beads wire wrapped onto head pins.

I wanted to make sure that the bracelet would fit a variety of wrists so an extender chain was added.

I'll be sending it out the first of next week and sincerely hope that this little offering brings some hope and blessings to the family who receives it. I know it made me feel good to know it was going to a worthy cause.

Anyway, that's enough of my rambling.

Here's the list of the other Blog Hop participants, starting with our lovely hosts!

Elysian Studios  and  One Kiss Creations

  

The Studio Sublime

Crafty Hope <----------**You are HERE**

The Gossiping Goddess

SilverRose Designs

Firefly Visions

Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry

Michelle Mach

Pine Ridge Treasures

Backstory Beads

Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean

Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

Sue Beads

MiShel Designs

Created Treasures

Taralinda Muses

My Life Under The Bus

Elizabeth Creates

SilverNikNats

Erin Siegel Jewelry

Carolyn’s Creations

My Life…one bead at a time

Fresh Baked Designs

Songbeads

Sunshine Bliss

Lori Anderson

Rainy Days Designs

Pat Barden Jewelry

Tell Your Girlfriends

Therese's Treasures

Windrock Studio

Bead Lola Bead

Spice Box Designs

Antiquity Travelers

Vitamin C...A Daily Dose of Creativity

Beads and Bread

Sharyl's Jewelry and Reflections

Ahtee's Blog

Thoughtful-Notions

Beads for Brains:365

Wild Sally Road

All The Pretty Things

Skye's Creative Chaos

My Addictions...Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti

Lindy's Designs

Falling Into The Sky

Star Hitched Wagon

Mama's Got to Doodle

10KDgroup

Thank you so much for hopping by to see what I made. I can't wait to get hopping myself (I do love a good blog hop; a chance to discover like-minded artists) and see what everyone else created! 

Here's hoping your weekend is full of all kinds of happiness and FUN!

You Made It!

I might be off base, but I know what you came here looking for.
At least I THINK I do. . .
Today's the reveal day for the 7000 Bracelets of Hope Blog Hop as hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things.

The task: Make ONE blue jeans/denim inspired bracelet an send it to The Global Genes Project to be given to a family that has a child suffering from a rare disease. Easy enough!

The hardest part of the task (or at least in my eyes) was to make a bracelet that could fit any adult.
My solution? Memory Wire!!! Of course! It hit me like a bolt of lightening that memory wire would be the perfect material to use for this project.
After, that it was down to deciding on the blue beads.
I stumbled upon these marble-y blue glass beads that were gifted to me and felt like they were the perfect worn jean color. Somehow, the light just wasn't perfect to capture the color.

I used simple silver beads as a symbol of the simplicity of jeans. As well, I added some lacy silver bead caps. The bead caps seemed to give it just the right touch of country.

Now, hop on over to check out what the rest of the generous Blog Hop participants have created for these families:

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got To Doodle
3.  Kym Hunter, Creatively Kym
4.  Mandy Duffy, Beads for Brains: 365
5.  Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer
6.  Lisa Boucher, Lisa's Clay Happenings
7.  Mary Harding, Mary Harding Jewelry
8.  Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire
9.  Amy Severino, Amy's Beads
10.  Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by Jennifer Pride

11.  Jenny Cameron, Glass Addictions
12.  Susan Ferguson, Windrock Studio
13.  Mortira vanPelt, Inspirational Beading
14.   Brandi Hussey, Brandi Girl
15.  Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design
16.  Angela Barribou, Re: Angela Rae
17.  Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie's Sammelsurium
18.  Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous
19.  Jean Yates, Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading To Be Done!
20.  Nicki Keller, Nicki's Reef

21.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
22. Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon
23.  Carrie Tahquechi,  Carrie T
24.  Deci Worland, Gem Trails
25.  Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium 
26.  Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals
27.  Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio 
28.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings
29.  Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady 
30.  Deb Price, Green Shoot Jewellery Designs 

31.  Suzette Bentley, Ellies Bijoux  
32. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads 
33.  Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread 
34.  Kate Gardenghi, The Tropical Blonde 
35.  Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre 
36.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me 
37.  Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co. 
38.  Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie 
39.  CJ Baushka, 4 His Glory Creations 
40.  Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash 

41.  Sandra Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box 
42.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs 
43.  Kim Roberts, Bahama Dawn 
44. Hilary Frye, FryeStyle 
45.  Emanda Johnson, Artemisia's Studio 
46.  Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss
47.  Sue Kennedy, Sue Beads
48.  Raquel Amaral, Raquel Amaral
49.  Robyn Hawk, Daily Jewel
50.  Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry

52.  Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry
53.  Andrea Robinson,  Madame Magpie's Shiny Things
54.  John Rasmussen, Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry
55.  Breana Fry, Vault 31
56.  Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found
57.  Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts
58. Dot Lewallen, Speedie Beadie
59.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
60.  Heather Pyle, Aquariart

61.  Adrienne Campbell, Adrienne Designs
62.  Dee Gordon, Runako Designs
63.  Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs
64.  Susie Hibdon, Vintage Susie & Wings
65.  Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
66.  Norma Agron, Norma's Clay
67.  Ana Novak, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos
68.  Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations
69.  Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads
70.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

71.  Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs
72.  Catherine Pruitt, Boo Beads
73.  Deana Hager, Just Deez' Art & Life
74.  Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
75.  Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass
76.  Janet Bocciardi, Honey From the Bee
77.  Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life
78.  Rose Noble, Lady Noble Design
79.  Sally Russick, WireWorked
80.  Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter 

81.  KJ, KJ's Beadacious Beads
82.  Lana Kinney, Something Unique by Lana
83.  Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman ... Art, Life, Love 
84.  Karen Bien, Everyday Gypsy 
85.  Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads
86.  Cyn Gagen, Creative Edventures
87.  Niky Sayer, Silver Nik Nats
88.  Deb Beechy, Beetique
89.  Marian Hertzog, M's Place
90.  Kerry Bogert, Kab's Creative Concepts

91.  Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
92.  Charlene Gray, Gray Girl Studio
 93.  Erin Fickert-Rowland, Elysian Fields
94.  Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
95.  Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art
96.  Christine Altmiller, One Kiss Creations
97.  Eileen Bergen, The Artful Crafter
98.  Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
99.  Rebekah Payne, Tree Wings Studio
100.  Mari Aparicio, Mis Amores 

101.  Tracy Statler, Make Bracelets 
102.  Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy
103.  Kim Stevens, Picking Poppies
104.  Karyn White, Releases by Rufydoof
105.  Elisabeth Auld, Beads for Busy Gals
106.  Lisa Hamilton, Simply Irresistible Jewelry
107.  Serena Trent, All Things Made Jewelry
108.  Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Artwerks
109.  Debbie La Rue, For the Love of Beading
110.  Maggie Towne, Maggie's Bead Towne

 111.  Cassandra Watsham, Designs by Cassandra
112.  Mary Ellen Parker,  BeeTree by m.e.

Thanks for stopping by!

Rambling On. . .

I thought that by posting my weekend review I would have less rambling TODAY. It doesn't look like that'll be the case. Aw well, when you're a rambler like me there's little that can be done to change it.

Jumping right in.
Yesterday I mentioned my Friday trip to Blue Girl Beading Co. I decided to show you some of the treasures I obtained.

And, my order from GaeaExchange came in the mail!

Aren't they divine!

Of course, I've already just about filled up that new storage container.

MUST STOP BEAD SHOPPING!
Who am I kidding?

How about some free stuff? Here's a few GIVEAWAYS I found over the weekend.
1. Lorelei reviewed three books on her site and is giving them each away. Just leave her a comment and let her know which one you'd like. But HURRY, she's drawing names tomorrow!!
2. Handmadeology is giving away one of everything in their etsy shop. That's $105 worth of goodness. All you have to do is leave a comment and/or help promote this giveaway.

Now for something that's a bit more serious.
Some months ago, I read about the Global Genes Project's 7000 Bracelets for Hope. Of course, I misunderstood the whole thing and didn't sign up. Dur! Lori Anderson of Pretty Things (and Bead Soup Blog Hop famedom) did not misunderstand. Instead, she has taken it upon herself to organize a blog hop for the cause. I've signed up to make a denim/blue jean inspired bracelet and be included in the blog hop on April 16th. You should TOO! Sign-ups end tomorrow!

New Necklace. . .

Remnants of the Past Necklace

Lastly, Pat and I have a busy week coming up, but I didn't let that deter me from making a meal plan on this Menu Plan Monday. It's nothing fancy. . . For other, options make sure to check out some of the rest of the folks' plans over at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

MONDAY
B: Cereal
L: Soup and grilled cheese
D: Grilled chicken, green beans, rice mix

TUESDAY
B: eggs, bacon, toast
L: turkey sandwiches
D: Tacos

WEDNESDAY
B: Breakfast parfaits
L: Mac-n-cheese with ham
D: Cheesy ham and broccoli casserole

THURSDAY
B: Bagels
L: Chicken salad
D: Hope out, Pat on own

FRIDAY

B: Muffins
L: Turkey quesidillas
D: Pat gig, Hope on own

SATURDAY

B: Omelets
L: Hot dogs
D: Pat gig, Hope on own

SUNDAY
B: Pancakes
L: Tuna noodles
D: Crockpot beer chicken, peas, mashed potatoes

I think I've rambled enough. . .Happy Monday!

Feel Good Friday

It's another "Feel Good Friday" . . .and gosh darn-it, thank goodness it is Friday.
For the first time in quite a few weeks, I have NO PLANS for this weekend - no parties, no meetings, no obligations at ALL- just me and LOML* doing what WE want to do. What a relief!!
Yet before I slide down that slippery slope of slothfulness, let's pep ourselves up with some selfless and kind acts.

First, I want to share with you an article about how one minister's simple, but seemingly crazy idea helped his congregation at Federation Chruch in Chagrin Falls, Ohio realize their individual talents, self-worth, and selflessness along with fostering a stronger sense of community. It is such a heart-warming story, I almost cried, really.

After reading that story, aren't YOU ready to give back? Here's a couple of things you can do.
1. I've mentioned here before the Breast Cancer awareness site where you just have to click a button to help donate free mammograms. Well, just this week, I was directed to the Animal Rescue Site that fills bowls of pet food every time you click. I realized that the Animal site looked uncannily like the Breast Cancer one and then noticed the tabs at the top of the page. These tabs are available so you can navigate through them to click to prevent hunger, increase literacy, help child health, and save the rain forests along with helping detect breast cancer and fill animal food bowls. As I mentioned when the breast cancer one was brought up, you can set up to have daily reminders sent to you via e-mail. It's just a click, no catch, no cost to you - just pure feel-good-giving.

2. Today, I was directed to a site called What Kind of World Do You Want. The site is inspired by a Five for Fighting song. It's a donation site for several different charities, including autism (my personal choice). Click on the button to 'watch the videos', watch a video for the charity you support, and a donation is made to that charity. It's that easy. If you want more information on the hows and whys, the site has several pages you can navigate through to get a better understanding.

Well now, don't we all feel better? I do now that I've shared with all of you! Happy Friday!


*LOML=Love of My Life