Ask the Divas about lampwork glass beads for Beads of Courage

Beads of Courage is a wonderful program that works with children who have been hospitalized with severe illnesses.
During the month of February, Marcy Lamberson is working with Beads of Courage to offer something special for glass beadmakers.

Here's Marcy's offer:
"For every $25 or 25 bead donation to Beads of Courage, you receive a chance to win this GTT Cricket torch ... This promotion is ONLY for the month of February starting on the 1st and ending on the 28th at midnight. If you donate 200 beads, then you get 4 chances..."
Read Marcy's blog for all the details.
http://www.givebeadsofcourage.blogspot.com/


At the Beads of Courage site, you can see the meanings that are attached to each different type and color of bead. Every bead you make and send in will be enjoyed by someone. We here at the fire divas want to help you along by linking you to free tutorials for some special beads that you'll enjoy making to send along to the program.

Lara of the fire divas has written instructions on making butterfly beads. http://lutrick.blogspot.com/2010/03/butterflies-for-beads-of-courage.html

Emakaye, another of the divas, tells about her own butterfly explorations: http://emakaye.blogspot.com/2010/03/evolution-of-butterfly.html


There are several other free butterfly tutorials out there as well.
DianeWoodall has two at this site, as well as a heart and kid- friendly fish: http://www.dianewoodall.com/pages/FreeTutorials.htm
And here's another three dimensional butterfly idea:
http://isinglassdesign.blogspot.com/2009/07/lampwork-glass-butterflies-for-beads-of.html
Robert Simmons has directions for adding a butterfly to a bead using copper foil:
http://www.southernflames.org/Tips%20and%20Techniques/Tips%20and%20Techniques%20BOC%20Wearable%20Butterfly%20Bead.htm


Purple Hearts are another bead Beads of Courage always needs. In addition to Diane Woodall's link above, Lori Greenberg has a sweet heart tutorial here:
http://lorigreenberg.com/blog/?p=647


Our own Holly of hollysfolly has written a tutorial for off mandrel hearts here: http://hollysfollybeads.blogspot.com/2011/01/off-mandrel-hearts.html


And if you want to make some sculptural beads, here are some useful links for tips and techniques. Remember, sculptural beads need to be made extra sturdy for the children.

Lauren at maybeads recommended this one to get you started on your sculptural journey: http://www.beadenvy.co.uk/tutorials.htm


And Holly came through with some suggestions: http://hollysfollybeads.blogspot.com/2010/03/sculptural.html


We hope you have a great time making all sorts of beads for the kids in the Beads of Courage program.



Photos from- Butterflies- Lutrick ; Butterfly wing- Ema K Designs; Heart- Hollys Folly Glass; Owl- Maybeads