Act of Courage Beads Needed

[RSimmons]

If you are in a BoC bead making mood these days we could sure use a batch of Act of Courage beads. With new programs coming on line we're really going though these very special beads at a fast pace. I just sent off a box myself and plan to make another batch this weekend. There are a lot of kids toughing it out who would really like to have one of your special beads to brighten their spirits.
Thanks to everyone for all you do,
Robert

[alb6094]

I have some Robert, I'll get them packed up and on their way.

[squid]

How are those different from regular beads?

[alb6094]

Here Squid, I copy/pasted this from another of Robert's posts. Basically they're artisan made beads:

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Act of Courage beads are given when the kids have been through a tough experience or procedure or have just had a tough day. These are different from the program beads. Program beads are commercially made beads that are color or design coded for specific events or procedures. We go though mountains of them so they have to be manufactured. This makes the Act of Courage bead very special in that they are all artist-made donated beads. When an AoC bead is given the child is presented with a selection of these beads and they get to take as long as they like to choose the one bead that speaks to them of their experience. I've personally seen this process take quite a while. It's a very special part of the journey for our kids.

You can send these beads to:

Beads of Courage
10501 E. Seven Generations Way
Suite 161
Tucson, AZ 85747

Be sure to include your name and address in the package so that we can send you a Thank You card and a receipt for your donation. It's tax deductible for the cost of manufacture.

Thanks to everyone for your great support of BoC.

[squid]

Cool - thanks!

[LoriGreenberg]

New Address for Beads of Courage HQ:


Beads of Courage
10501 E. Seven Generations Way
Suite 161
Tucson, AZ 85747

(I changed it in the above post too).

[alb6094]

Thanks Lori, I forgot all about the move, dummy me.

[Elizabeth Beads]

I will go through my trays this weekend and send out a box. :)

[Eileen]

And doesn't it say somewhere that they prefer not to have silver unless it's encased, nothing that might break off, ... was there anything else? I think they prefer the holes be .... was it 3/32 if possible?

I'm taking my oxycon to be serviced on Friday, so if it isn't anything too bad maybe I'll be up & running soon. One main reason I'm trying to do beads is for BOC, so I should be able to send some soon too. Last time I send what I had made (not many) but I also sent some from friends. I'll mention it around in case anyone from pottery has more lampwork they want to send.

[New2glassgal]

As soon as my new kiln gets here Iill have bunches to send in. This is a arch a great program and I can't wait to make my first donation!

Love to all,
Marti Ann

[alb6094]

I managed to come up with just over 100, they're going out in the morning mail.

[Eileen]

Wow Astrid, that's wonderful!

[alb6094]

Wow Astrid, that's wonderful!

It's amazing how many of those little suckers you amass trying to learn how to make a decent bead. :lol: I'm like "Here's some in this jar, and this box, and this other jar, and on this shelf......."

They migrate, I'll never understand how.

[RSimmons]

And doesn't it say somewhere that they prefer not to have silver unless it's encased, nothing that might break off, ... was there anything else? I think they prefer the holes be .... was it 3/32 if possible?

Any reduction glass/frit needs to be encased as many of the glasses that have a silver-appearing surface are actually lead glasses and the metallic surface is almost pure lead. Remember that the beads are going to be played with and moved around by kids and sometimes parents in a hurry, so fragile surface decorations might get broken. Robust is the word! 3/32 is the preferred mandrel size, though anything from 1/16 up can be used.

Thanks much to everyone,
Robert

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

Are they for all age groups? Is there a predominent age and style of bead that is desired?

And would critter beads be of interest or do you want regular style round beads with designs on them?

[ThatFritGirl]

I have another box from my challenge just about ready to go off. Make beads guys!:poke::grin:

[demcc2]

It's amazing how many of those little suckers you amass trying to learn how to make a decent bead. :lol: I'm like "Here's some in this jar, and this box, and this other jar, and on this shelf......."

They migrate, I'll never understand how.

They Migrate?? I think they're more like guppies except in the BOC world :rolleyes:

I sent some out a month ago that I had made over a year ago. I figure they were just collecting dust here.

Duane

[carolinesbeads]

I have been working on BOC beads. I have made a few Elmo beads that turned out really cute. I just need to get them batch annealed and I will send them in.

Caroline

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

I'd love to see them too Caroline! I wish others would post what they send so we can all enjoy them.

[Nimbus]

Hi Robert,

I posted this in a thread that Lori had going, but I don't think that she checks in here as often as you do. Maybe you can answer my question?....

Hi Lori,

I have accumulated quite a few beads since I donated last time. Probably over 500 fairly good sized beads. The box has gotten very heavy. I live here in Tucson. Does the BOC location have business hours that I can just deliver the box in person so I can avoid avoid shipping them? If they do, are they open on the weekends?

Thanks for your help,
Jeannie
____

[LoriGreenberg]

Hi Jeannie. We have a storefront now so you can arrange to pop in and drop them off.


Beads of Courage
10501 E. Seven Generations Way
Suite 161
Tucson, AZ 85747

[emtjab]

Lori, I have about 40 or 50 done that I can send in...

Caroline, I'd LOVE to see the Elmo beads...maybe I can make some up too for BOC.

Thx, Julie

[Elizabeth Beads]

Mine are boxed and ready to post. I do have a question. In the past I'd get an acknowledgment and tax receipt when I sent in bead donations. I don't think I have gotten one for the past two boxes I've sent. It does help come tax time to have those receipts. Thanks! Liz

[LoriGreenberg]

Hi Liz.

I will pass your name and question on to HQ. Karen Hickey handles receipt of donations and sending out receipts. She is part time and volunteer so sometimes it can take a while but not usually more than 2-3 weeks. I will copy you on the email as well.

[tt4st]

I have over 200 focals that I'll send in this week.

[Fine Folly Glassworks]

Remember that the beads are going to be played with and moved around by kids and sometimes parents in a hurry, so fragile surface decorations might get broken. Robust is the word! 3/32 is the preferred mandrel size, though anything from 1/16 up can be used.

Thanks much to everyone,
Robert


237457 237456
Well, I made up an odd bunch of beads last night (with a lot of Teddy Bear faces and Worm Cuties). So unless you say differently I will make up more of these types to send to you. And anyone who wants to copy a Critter Bead I have made - please feel free!

Robert or Lori, the pup on the far left is made on a pandora mandrel, is that okay?

[RSimmons]

They look very nice. My only suggestion is to maybe tuck the legs back a little so that the tips don't get chipped off.

Robert

[Three Muses Glass]

Any reduction glass/frit needs to be encased as many of the glasses that have a silver-appearing surface are actually lead glasses and the metallic surface is almost pure lead. Remember that the beads are going to be played with and moved around by kids and sometimes parents in a hurry, so fragile surface decorations might get broken. Robust is the word! 3/32 is the preferred mandrel size, though anything from 1/16 up can be used.

Thanks much to everyone,
Robert

Can you still use them for something else? The unencased silver glass beads I mean. I have tons of beads ready to go out and I'll separate them from the encased ones before sending but if they can't be used for the kids, can they be used at all?

[RSimmons]

If you are SURE that it is silver in the glass it would be helpful if you could separate them out and we'll use them for other things. If they are reduced Rubino or have EDP exposed on the surface we probably can't use them.

Robert

[one-eared pig]

Mine are boxed and ready to post. I do have a question. In the past I'd get an acknowledgment and tax receipt when I sent in bead donations. I don't think I have gotten one for the past two boxes I've sent. It does help come tax time to have those receipts. Thanks! Liz

I send a SASE to ensure I get a letter/receipt back. I had one shipment last year where I ddin;t get one, so I started doing this and it has worked for me. Plus, it saves them a stamp.

[Elizabeth Beads]

I send a SASE to ensure I get a letter/receipt back. I had one shipment last year where I ddin;t get one, so I started doing this and it has worked for me. Plus, it saves them a stamp.

Great idea for my future donations. Thanks! Liz

[RSimmons]

I send a SASE to ensure I get a letter/receipt back. I had one shipment last year where I ddin;t get one, so I started doing this and it has worked for me. Plus, it saves them a stamp.

Wonderful idea! It will certainly speed things up and saving $$ is always a good thing. A short inventory of the contents of the package also speeds up the receipting process.

Robert

[LoriGreenberg]

Those are awesome and thank you to everyone who is answering the call!

[LAJ]

I was discussing the BOC progam with someone locally & they had a question....since many of the kids are immune suppressed, is there anything specific being done in the handling of the beads to make it safe for the kids?

Also, since some are very young are there volunteers that help them with the beads? I'm pretty sure there are but thought I'd ask.

[LoriGreenberg]

They are all individually inspected and re-packaged at HQ. I'm not sure if they do anything additional at the actual hospitals.

Usually the parents are the ones that help them and hold their beads if they are too young or out of it from medication.

[LAJ]

Thanks Lori. I'll let her know.

[Eileen]

I know about the hole size, but I can't seem to find any information on the actual bead sizes that are preferable. I'm up & going now, and practicing making beads, and I'd just as soon make them (or try to anyway) a size that works best for the program.

Thanks for any help.

[LoriGreenberg]

Any and All sizes! Whatever you like to make!

[Eileen]

I guess what I'm really wondering is what is the smallest size that the AOC beads should be, or do even the very small beads get used? I'm new enough that I don't even really know what an average sized bead would be, LOL.

[LoriGreenberg]

Spacer sized beads may get used in workshops for the kids or in stretchy bracelets that are made by volunteers for fundraising or in String of Strength fundraisers (like home parties).

13mm and up are used as Act of Courage beads. Very large beads are used for larger milestones, I believe but don't quote me on that one.

[Eileen]

Thank you, that is exactly what I wanted to know!

[PattyK]

Thanks Lori - that's very helpful information!

Spacer sized beads may get used in workshops for the kids or in stretchy bracelets that are made by volunteers for fundraising or in String of Strength fundraisers (like home parties).

13mm and up are used as Act of Courage beads. Very large beads are used for larger milestones, I believe but don't quote me on that one.