Welcome to the Art Charm Swap, Reveal, Hop & Auction benefiting Beads of Courage.
Hosted by the generous and inspiring Jennifer Cameron (Glass Addictions and Art Jewelry Elements), the Annual ART CHARM EXCHANGE & AUCTION brings together bead and jewelry artists FOR THE CHALLENGE OF CREATING ART CHARMS to benefit Beads of Courage.
What are Beads of Courage?
Beads of Courage is a non-profit organization caring for children with serious illness, their families, and clinicians. BOC supports children with serious illnesses by helping them tell, record, and honor their story of courage with beads. Each overnight stay in the hospital is signified by certain color beads. A procedure is another. Handcrafted lampwork beads are given for great courage. Every bead tells a story of strength, honor, and hope. 
See the 2012 charms: "LAUGH"
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See the 2013 charms: "LOVE"
For this year's auction, we were challenged to create art charms for the theme: SOAR.
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| Art by Josephine Wall Soar to the Art Charms for auction on EBAY |
Art Charms Revealed!
The BOC Art Charm Exchange & Auction is always popular, and this year over 40 artists created art charms for auction. BIDDING TAKES PLACE ALL WEEK LONG, ENDING ON CYBER MONDAY. TAKE A LOOK! 100% of your bid goes to Beads of Courage, and what better way to start the Season of Joy?
My art charms revealed:
Shooting Star on the Wings of Love
Shooting Star on the Wings of Love
"There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein
Handcrafted Clay Birds by Jennifer Reno
Czech Soaring Birds Pressed Glass in Evergreen & Amethyst
Anodized Niobium & Bronze Chainmaille Stars (Niobium is hypoallergenic, rings byThe Ring Lord)
Vintaj Brass & Copper Findings
I decided to create a set of charms again this year. The first charm is made with Jennifer Reno's beautiful clay birds as inspiration. The charms have either evergreen or amethyst Czech soaring birds, and chainmaille stars made with anodized niobium rings special ordered from Canada -- the one place the very special & beautiful "color-changing" rings are made! I wanted the rings to reflect the watercolor and silvery look of Jennifer's birds.
Handcrafted Clay Birds by Jennifer Reno
Czech Soaring Birds Pressed Glass in Evergreen & Amethyst
Anodized Niobium & Brass Chainmaille Stars (Niobium is hypoallergenic, rings byThe Ring Lord)
Vintaj Brass & Copper Findings
We are made of star-stuff, and share the magic of the Universe! Cherished and appreciated always, we are cared for & loved unconditionally. We bravely come forth to transform & confront; to create & love; to live & laugh. Every experience creates change as our wishes & hopes soar; our desires are rockets of desire that are answered by that which creates & sustains Universes. We ask & it's given. Always. No exceptions. We are cherished children of God -- and with our compassion, our hope, our knowledge, our empowerment, our happiness, our strength, our appreciation, our wonder, our courage, and our love -- we open the door to receiving all that is asked for, and create, in essence, Heaven on Earth.
"Fly Well"
"Fly Well"
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world." - Margaret Mead
Teal or Turquoise Spiral Lampwork by Jodie Marshall
Handcrafted Tree of Life Copper Charms in Sapphire and/or Turquoise (using custom blend patinas by Metal Me This)
Copper Fairies
Handcrafted Copper & Blu Buddha Boutique Anodized Aluminum Findings
While butterflies most often represent children who have passed on, I felt moved to choose fairies. (I think my daughter really wanted them in our charms!) Dedicated to my daughter who had suffered from MS & who has now returned to the Non-Physical, this charm reminds us to fly well, knowing that we are always connected to those we love. When we allow ourselves to celebrate & honor & include those who have died, when we find ways to feel good, we are instantly in the same place they are. In happiness, we meet again & again. As infinite beings, in joy & gratitude, separation from those we love is not possible. A family is a group of like-minded beings who travel life-times together. And so, The Spiral Dance, The Tree of Life & The Fairies of the Universe come together to to share our journey. Let's celebrate our interconnections, our infinite & ever-expanding spirits, and our strength! Make a wish & watch the Fairies of the Universes go to work creating wonderful ways to make it come true. Feel your spirit soar! We are a circle within a circle, and together, anything is possible!
(upcoming: photos of all the gorgeous charms I received! )
Fly well,
Rita
Your charms felt like a special gift when I received them, and now with the description they are even more precious. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI feel so lucky to have received your charms! (And I was lucky last year too!) They are both wonderful, and I can't wait to wear them.
ReplyDeleteWow, I recived both of your wonderful charms and think they are both stunning (so did my little girl who loves fairys) and your post is so beautifully written it made me cry, What an amazingly wonderful attatude to have, thank you so much for sharing x
ReplyDeleteRita, I cherish the lovely charms I received from you, but even more so the beautiful reflections I always find when I visit here :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful charms! I am so glad that I received them :)
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to receive your charms and they're beautiful, thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness,the jewelry is beautiful, I have goosebumps, your post is absolutely wonderful, so moving!!
ReplyDeleteRita, this is a beautiful post and so meaningful. Love your charms. Those little birds are adorable.!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Rita for introducing me to this wonderful blog hop. It has been an enlightening experience.I even stretched out and revealed my polymer clay experiments. I wish I had received your charms but maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteRita, I am so glad you were able to participate in spite of everything you've been through the last few months. You are always an inspiration, always creative, and so generous. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh Rita, I'm so thrilled to have received your beautiful charms! And I loved reading your post, you have such a way with words!
ReplyDeleteI love your charms and I really enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteSo many layers of color, elements partnered together in your charms! Stunning. Thank you for all your devotion and hard work.
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful, recently going to buy Swarovski jewelry dress themselves, found a swarovski outlet seemingly good.