Nov 12, 2012

Beads of Courage Art Charm Exchange, Reveal, Blog Hop, and Auction








Fairy's Fairy
As this enchanting little creature examines the tiny look-alike in her hands, she discovers yet another even smaller likeness, so beautiful and perfect, in the delicate hands of her twin. With joy, she sees yet another and another tiny fairy just like herself, her delight being magically repeated into infinity (Josephine Wall).

Beads of Courage  THE ART CHARM EXCHANGE and AUCTION  SUPPORTS BEADS OF COURAGE, a non-profit organization caring for children with serious illness, their families, and clinicians by helping them RECORD, TELL, and OWN their story of COURAGE through BEADS.


Hosted by Jen Cameron of GLASS ADDICTIONS, 
THE BOC ART CHARM EXCHANGE & AUCTION  brought together bead and jewelry artists FOR THE CHALLENGE OF CREATING ART CHARMS to benefit Beads of Courage. 



ART CHARMS are charms handcrafted with handcrafted -- the components are created by artisans, so the beads, metalwork, wire work, findings, and design are all unique and special. The book to the left shows some examples of art charms: swappables, keepsakes, trinkets. 

For our Beads of Courage art charm exchange, we were challenged to create charms with the theme:  "laugh!"




Our challenge was to create a set of eleven art charms; ten would be swapped with other artists and one would be auctioned to benefit Beads of Courage.  


The response to the Art Charm Exchange was huge, and so Jen organized the artists into several groups of ten and we began torching, wrapping, weaving, dapping, etching, sculpting, and firing away. When another participant had to step out of the event just before charms were due, I made an extra set of charms.



22 Fairy Flower Gardens for BEADS OF COURAGE




 Where do Fairies in the Garden come from?



A video so worthy of watching! Take a look, please :)


Every time a baby laughs, their  laugh becomes a  FAIRY. 
Every time your fairy flower garden art charm sparkles, be assured a new fairy has arrived from the laughter of a child!


 


Flower Garden -- Lucite and Anodized Aluminum Chainmaille
 Lampwork by SueBeads and Crazy Lady Glass


No two fairy gardens are alike



Enjoy the joyful and loving  
  Beads of Courage 
Art Charm Auction
and
Art Charm Blog Hop

Look at the incredible art charms I received in the exchange! Aren't they cool? Bid now on a beautiful charm for yourself or as a special Holiday gift and give TWICE the love since100% of the proceeds will benefit Beads of Courage. Auction ends soon and charms are going quickly!



Auction Site: http://myworld.ebay.com/glassaddictions

Alenka Obid http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchage-reveal.html

Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-blog-hop-and-auction.html

Babette Cox http://babettecox.com/blog.htm

Carol Watson http://www.carolwatsonartglass.blogspot.com

Carolyn Chenault  http://carolynchenault.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/beads-of-courage-auction/

Cassi Paslick http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-charm-swap-reveal.html

Charlene Jacka http://clay-space.com/2012/11/early-christmas/

Cheri Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/2012/11/to-participate-in-charm-swap-you-must.html

Cheryl McCloud http://cherylmccloud.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-blog-hop-and-beads-of.html

Deb Kauzlarich http://debkauzlarich.blogspot.com

Denielle Hagerman http://somebeadsandotherthings.com

Emma Todd  http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-in-aid-of-boc.html

Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-laugh.html

Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchange-2012.html

Inge vonRoos http://ingetraud.wordpress.com

Jean Peter http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/ http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-charm-swap.html

Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog/2012/11/12/beads-of-courage/

Jennifer Cameron http://wp.me/p1xIa0-wn

Kia Dallons http://kiadallonsstudio.blogspot.jp/2012/11/laughter-is-best-medicine.html

Kimberly Roberts http://bahamadawn.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap.html

Kristi Bowman  http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-hop.html

Lea Avroch http://lajewelrydesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-beads-of-courage-art-charm-swap.html

Leslie Schenkel http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/?p=171

Linda Florian http://www.lilysofthevalleyjewelry.blogspot.com/

Lori Greenberg http://lorigreenberg.com/blog

Lynnea Bennett http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com

Mallory Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-time-has-come-art-charm-blog-reveal.html

Marcy Lamberson http://studiomarcy.blogspot.com/2012/11/charmed-by-minions-im-sure.html

Marsha Neal Studio http://marshanealstudio.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-exchange-and-beads-of-courage.html

Maureen Connolly http://mrsbeadsley.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-reveal.html

Melissa Meman http://melissameman.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-blog-hop.html

Monique Urquhart http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/2012/11/charmed-im-sure.html

Natalie McKenna http://www.grubbi.co.uk/

Perri Jackson  http://shaktipajdesigns.com/11/blog/reveal-the-laughter-art-charms/

Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchange-auction-and-reveal.html

Robin Koza http://www.robinkoza.com

Shaiha Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-hop.html

Shannon Hicks  http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Shelby Foxwell http://sundownbeaddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal.html

Shelley Graham Turner http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/2012/11/reveal-2012-charm-swap.html

Shirley Moore http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-art-charm-reveal.html

Stephanie Haussler http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/laughter-art-bead-charm-swap-auction.html

Susan Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-charm-swap-reveal-and.html

Toltec Jewels http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2012/11/BOCArtCharmRevealBlogHop.html

Vanessa Gilkes http://culturezine.com/blog/

Interested in creating and donating your art jewelry to benefit Beads of Courage? Contact me about joining us on Facebook for  the Beads of Courage Jewelry Challenge artists group, where you can submit your work for consideration to be sold directly through the BOC Artists Gallery (Artists Give) or auctioned through Ebay Giving Works.


Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques. She is the host of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School. Join her on Facebook for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!

22 comments:

  1. I'm so very thrilled I was in your group, and got to receive a fairy flower! The colors and shape are wonderful, and I love the story!!

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  2. These are so beautiful, Rita, and sure to make anyone smile and think of baby laughs and magical fairies!

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  3. This was such a fun exchange seeing how everyone interpreted the theme, laughter. I always love reading your posts Rita, but to have one of your charms is really special to me.

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  4. Thanks for the wonderful words you shared today. Oh and I love the fairy gardens.

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  5. I'm so glad I got a fairy flower. They are lovely.

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  6. WoW! These are above and beyond thoughtful and beautiful!!! Amazing!!!

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  7. What a pretty charm! I love the flower you created. Flowers always make me happy! Thank you for sharing your talents in the swap. Enjoy the day. Erin

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  8. Oh wow! I love the chainmaille flower, too! Lovely, magical color combination. : )

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  9. I was lucky enough to get one of your fairy garden charms and I just love the brightness and all the flowers. Beautiful work Rita.

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  10. I have one of your charms! I love it! Thank you!!!

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  11. Enjoyed your post and your charms!

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  12. Absolutely gorgeous fairy gardens, beautiful charms!

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  13. Your charms are very cool and imaginative.

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  14. These are really cute!

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  15. I received one of your charms -- thank you very much -- tried chain maile once . . . . really appreciate the work that went into this charm!

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  16. Rita - the fairy gardens are just perfect! Their colourfulness and cheerfulness is contagious and sure to make anyone laugh. The story is a wonderful addition, I always love your stories :)

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  17. I received one of your lovely charms. Thanks

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  18. I loved your charm! Thank you!!!! Whenever I see your name on FB - I see and think about color - LOTS of it. It brightens my day, every day!

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  19. I SAW your gorgeous charms on the auctions! What a great job, so much work you put into it! WOW! What a great post, too! You are just an amazing person, Rita!

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  20. So awesome! I wish I had known, I would have participated.
    I love my little charm! Thank you Rita!

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  21. I wish I had known, I would have loved to participate! I love my little charm, Rita. Thank you so much.

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Gracias for your comments and for visiting! I appreciate every word :)
Namaste --
Rita