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Bead It Forward
Filed Under (Beaded Jewelry Books, Beaded Jewelry) by Evelyn on 27-01-2008
Bead It Forward was a project started by Jeanette Shanigan, Design Artist. “The 2007 theme was ‘Butterflies’, symbolizing being metamorphosed through the battle with breast cancer.” She invited others to join her in donating small beaded squares that she put together into 10 x 10 inch quilts and framed them in shadow boxes. They were donated to the Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer (BAABC) Auction which raised over US$20,000 at the Bead and Button show 2007.
Extract from a section of a 2007 Butterfly Theme Beaded Quilt.
Jeanette, also a teacher and author of many beading books, was moved by the encouraging response from beading enthusiasts all over the world. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads is also supporting the cause. This project was featured recently in their weekly online newsletter, making a call to all interested in submitting a square for the beaded quilts.
Just a glimpse of a section of a 2008 Rose Theme Beaded Quilt.
The theme for 2008 is ‘Roses’. The full article can be found at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads website. Any kind of beadwork or technique can be used but the motif must be a Rose of any kind. The specified size and ground rules and instructions can be obtained in a PDF file from Jean’s website at shanigansbeadshenanigans.com. All completed squares must be submitted by 1 April, 2008.
I see this as a great opportunity for beginners to make a contribution for a good cause. Some free rose patterns and tutorials on how to get started are already available on the site. The entries received to date are displayed online and I think they are really awesome! Very inspiring and beautiful works from budding artists and beading artists around the world. Indeed it is a very innovative way of raising awareness and raising funds to fight against cancer.
Another way of looking at it, it is a program to help cancer patients learn a new hobby to ease some pain in their struggle to their recovery. It is a very rewarding past time, making little gifts for your loved ones. An excellent form of therapy and literally takes stress away from your mind and fill it with a little cheer. And for the impatient, you see what you can accomplish in the shortest time. It’s delightful!
In a concerted effort, the legacy lives on, and each year a different theme will be chosen to celebrate each woman’s struggle with breast cancer. Cheers!
View display of Rose squares already submitted for the 2008 Beaded Quilt at
Jeanette Shanigan’s website at shanigansbeadshenanigans.com
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Hello Evelyn.
maybe you can take some of my mountains pictures and build beads over them.
It would make a good seller i guess.
It’s a good idea, to help persons that leaved the hope. Here sometimes they make something like markets where children can buy what they made. But i doubt the money serve a good cause.
Hehe. Very good ideas. In our local schools, there are programs to promote IT, Arts and Crafts, etc for group project work. Maybe our Education Ministry is trying to teach the kids creative thinking and team work at the same time.
Great thing about internet, it brings people together to contribute in so many different ways to society.
Hi Fatiah,
I like your quilt work and beaded jewelry making.
I got to know about your hobby thru the internet!
Actually, ‘Bead It Forward’ brings to mind a similar effort in “Fabric of a Nation” project to celebrate Singapore’s Nation Building. The making of 60 panels quilts from 15,000 patchwork pieces in the year 2006. Those involved know it was a hugemongous effort.
Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/fabric/index.htm