Autumn 2024 Creativity Challenge
Stronger Together!
Supporting Beads of Courage
Congratulations to Inge von Roos!
Let's be “Stronger Together" in helping Beads of Courage reach their goal.
Create a minimum of 15 beads to donate to Beads of Courage.
Artist Statement
For 18 years, making beads for BOC has been a driving force in my Lampworking journey. I read about BOC in a moving article written by Sharon Peters. Shortly after, I met Sharon and watched her Demo her BOC Blue Monkey bead. I realized that I could help by mobilizing my Lampworking teacher and our small class to participate in BOC. My enthusiastic teacher got all her classes to contribute. We sent around 350 beads to BOC!
Entry
Artist Statement
I have been making beads for over 20 years. After hearing Jean Gribbon speak at the Minnesota Gathering about Beads of Courage, I left the auditorium in tears and promised to make as many beads as possible for this organization. I have made thousands of beads for the program. For this challenge, I chose a lion because he represents strength and courage.
Entry
Artist Statement
I made some of the beads that I am donating to Beads of Courage using tutorials from ISGB. They were both video tutorials. Jelveh Jaferian did a great turtle tutorial. Jeri Warhaftig had a very competent and sweet young girl do hers of axolotls.
Entry
Artist Statement
Given the time of year, I immediately thought of gratitude and yes, turkeys and Thanksgiving. As a parent whose kids faced medical challenges, I'm so grateful that Beads of Courage exists, although it didn't for my kids, now grown and healthy adults. A program like this gives parents a tangible opportunity to recognize their child and what they're facing. Instead of saying "I know you're brave", they can say "Look at your beads. Look at what you've done. You've got this and I'm so proud of you."
And Stronger Together? We see our small part in this. We make and donate beads. But what about the Beads of Courage staff, the administrators in the hospitals, the nurses at the bedside? All those who make this happen. We are truly stronger together.
And so I made turkeys. And apple and chocolate pie and maybe a couple of others. (Thank you, Marcy Lamberson, for your pie tutorial. I never would have made pies if it wasn't for you!).
In all aspects of life, we are stronger together, and grateful for it.
Entry
Artist Statement
I love torching for the BOC kids. Torching for BOC allows me to be simple or wildly creative. There’s the perfect bead to fit the situation. I just have faith everything will fall into place and I am grateful to do my part to help healing happen.
Entry
Artist Statement
I haven't made hearts for quite some time, so I decided to make them for the New England Chapter Beads of Courage afternoon earlier this month. When I returned home, I read that hearts are given to transplant patients. That knowledge allowed me to make a more personal connection to a child in need and spurred me to make more hearts for my personal donation. The New England Chapter ultimately donated 425 beads as a group, and I'm sure there are other personal donations as well. The New England Chapter rocks!
Entry
Artist Statement
My name is Barbara Nowlin and I am a Flamework glass artist. I make beads, marbles and small sculptures in bead form. The challenge of making murrini has taken over a lot of my beadmaking time. My favorite murrini to make are 3D flowers and leaves. Many of the beads I make are donated to Beads of Courage and most of those now have Googly eye murrini embedded!
Lots of fun in that, hoping the kids find them and laugh!
Entry
Artist Statement
Hi, I'm Chris McElroy and I have always been a maker, but once I lit that torch and melted glass, I became obsessed. It's been 20 years and while I still make other things occasionally, the glass and flame always call me back.
Here is what I am sending in for the challenge.
Entry
Artist Statement
Jeri has long been a supporter of Beads of Courage and has been inducted into their Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions. In 2023 she was also inducted into the ISGB’s Hall of Flame in recognition of her contributions to the organization and the art of beadmaking. Her work can be purchased at the Shoppe at the Corning Museum of Glass and seen at awww.jeriwarhaftig.com
Entry
Artist Statement
Lorry Harwin
Entry
Artist Statement
This grouping of beads is inspired by my new Children's book, "Carry a Bead for Courage", that has just been published. The story revolves around a boy that finds a butterfly courage bead and learns about the Beads of Courage program. Also included are some carry-a-bead sets that are also featured in the story.
Entry
