Fabric of My Life with Shelley Graham Turner: Glass Addictions

It's reveal day for the 2012 Charm Swap!

The 2012 Charm Swap is a really cool event, an annual event spearheaded by the wonderful Jennifer Stout Cameron of Glass Addictions!

Here's how it worked: Bead Artists were challenged to create a charm using the theme of "Laughter". We were broken up into groups of ten artists and asked to each make 11 charms. Ten of the charms were to be exchanged with other members of our assigned group. Jennifer's goal was for us to have fun and get miniature pieces of art from fellow artists. A lovely idea.

But her plan for that one remaining charm is the most important part of the challenge. Each of these charms will be auctioned off with all proceeds to benefit Beads of Courage®.

According to their website - "The Beads of Courage® Program is designed to support and strengthen children and families coping with serious illness. Through the program children tell their story using colored beads as meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate milestones they have achieved along their unique treatment path."

Meet one of these precious children -

This is Ryley. Ryley is the grandson of fellow artist Jean Peter. He is three years old. His condition is called Hypo-plastic left heart syndrome. Ryley has had three open heart surgeries, his first when he was only one week old. This photo was taken after his second, when he was around 2 years old. His third surgery was June 2012 and is will hopefully be his last.

Every bead tells a story of strength, honor and hope.

Each child is given the Beads of Courage® bead color guide with a detachable membership card. Their Beads of Courage journey begins when each child is first given a length of string and beads that spell out their first name. Then, colorful beads, each representing a different treatment milestone are given to the child by their professional health care provider to add to their Beads of Courage® collection throughout their treatment.

The Beads of Courage® Program is currently implemented in over 140 children’s hospitals throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. They support over 30,000 children through their programs.

As we all know, LAUGHTER is the best medicine - so what could be a better theme around which to create our charms ?

Since I spend so-o-o much time on Facebook chatting and sharing with my fellow artists my brain went right to how we communicate laughter online. Smiley faces ":)" and "LOL" are my main internet acronyms. With this in mind I created these polymer clay charms!

Do you like them? I had so much fun making them. BUT I had even more fun opening up the package of charms that I received. The box was chalk full of charm goodee-ness! Each and every one was UNBELIEVABLE! I received nine charms, one from each of my group members. However there are over 40 artists participating in the this swap and auction!

Now that you know more about this great event I hope you will join us at the online auction Monday, November 12 beginning at 3pm EST - ALL proceeds to benefit Beads of Courage® . CLICK HERE to support this effort - and please be generous!

Beads of Courage, Inc. is an approved public charity under I.R.S. Code Section 501(c)(3), based in Tucson, Arizona.

Forgive me now but I HAVE to go check out all the other designs that I haven't seen yet...join me by following these links!