RSimmons
2010-02-12, 6:59am
Butterfly beads are presented to parents who have lost a child to cancer or other illness that is part of the Beads of Courage program. Many hospitals hold special bereavement ceremonies for these presentations. Often the parents will put their butterfly bead on a chain or cord and wear it often as a tangible link to their child. This is why we always want to be sure that they butterflies are strong enough to take daily wear.
I want to make a clarification on butterflies as there seems to be some lingering confusion about them and the various discussions tend to get buried in threads. Some people prefer one style over another. We're not persnickety about it.
Sculptural butterflies are fine and we happily use them. The only caveat is that you want to be sure that the wings are thick enough and attached to the body very well so that they don't break easily. You don't have to wire wrap them before you send them, we can handle that it Tucson. It's great if you do want to wire wrap so that they are ready to wear as this speeds up the turn around time and gets them out to the hospitals faster.
Non sculptural butterflies made with pulled dots, murrini, copper/enamel or any other method you've invented are also very much appreciated. The same guidelines for wire wrapping apply here as with the sculptural designs. Wrap them if you want to; if not that's OK, too.
These are very important beads and, considering their purpose, for many are the most difficult to make. It's hard to express how much your efforts on these very special beads are appreciated.
Robert
I want to make a clarification on butterflies as there seems to be some lingering confusion about them and the various discussions tend to get buried in threads. Some people prefer one style over another. We're not persnickety about it.
Sculptural butterflies are fine and we happily use them. The only caveat is that you want to be sure that the wings are thick enough and attached to the body very well so that they don't break easily. You don't have to wire wrap them before you send them, we can handle that it Tucson. It's great if you do want to wire wrap so that they are ready to wear as this speeds up the turn around time and gets them out to the hospitals faster.
Non sculptural butterflies made with pulled dots, murrini, copper/enamel or any other method you've invented are also very much appreciated. The same guidelines for wire wrapping apply here as with the sculptural designs. Wrap them if you want to; if not that's OK, too.
These are very important beads and, considering their purpose, for many are the most difficult to make. It's hard to express how much your efforts on these very special beads are appreciated.
Robert