Thursday, June 03, 2010

Going to the dogs...


Has it really been more than a month since I last posted... really? Just when I think I am doing okay at catching up, I see a date like that of my last post and ... *sigh*. I try, really I do, but here in the Midwest, Mideast - I am not really sure what one would call this part of the country. Certainly not the Mideast, folks in these parts would be up in arms over that, but seriously if you look at a map of the US and pinpoint Northeastern Indiana it is more east than "mid" and more north than south. North Mideast? Oh, but I digress.

I wanted to talk about beading and dogs. Greyhounds to be exact. I have never had the pleasure of sharing a home with one, but I sure do like them when I see the local rescue groups on adoption days around here. They have the sweetest faces - the dogs I mean. Don't get me wrong - the rescuers look pretty sweet too.



Anyway
... do you remember the recent BFAC auctions and the piece I made last year for the auction? My piece was a cute little beaded bag, my favorite beaded piece I have made to date. Well, the nice woman that won my bag contacted me via email to let me know she loved the bag, she said the nicest things, I mean really nice things - the kind of things that make your day, week, month and year. In the course of our conversations I learned that she is passionate about rescuing Greyhounds.



So, I got to thinking... I love animals (probably more than people) and I was compelled to do something for this wonderful woman that is such a huge supporter of the BFAC auctions. I learned that her rescue group has a big party/anniversary coming up in October and thought it sure would be nice to make something for their fund raising auction. My thoughts turned to Greyhounds ... have I ever seen a cabochon with a Greyhound? Not that I could remember, so a quick search on Etsy to see what comes up.



JACKPOT! I found Sue of FrumsGlassMenagerie. I instantly loved her "stuff", but it was all finished jewelry. I wanted cabs that I could bead around. I sent her a note via Etsy, and asked if she had any undrilled cabs available. Not only did she have some cabs, but she donated a few for the cause. Seriously - who does that anymore? Here is partial blurb from her Etsy bio "...I donate to a variety of dog rescue groups, no kill shelters, and individual animals in need.
I am dedicated to helping each and every italian greyhound and greyhound organizations, I am also dedicated to TheWindChillLegacy.org (Horse)..." Heartwarming to say the least.



The cabs arrived and I was instantly inspired to start beading. I finished up 2 brooches/pins pretty quickly and then started on a soft cuff/bracelet which is now in progress.



The purple cab will go to to First State Greyhound Rescue for their October fundraiser in Allentown, PA. And the pink cab with go back to Sue of Frums Glass where she will sell it at some point with the proceeds to benefit Greyhounds. Everyone is a winner!

I did the best I could with the photos, these colors are extremely hard to capture. I tried natural light outside, true light indoors, with flash, without flash - I think I tried every setting available on my camera. Each photo is clickable for a larger view - if you like to climb on up in the beads, please click. You'll have to believe me when I say these are much prettier/sparklier in person, much more so than I can convey in photos.

I hope they find nice homes...

13 comments:

Jennifer Cameron said...

Seriously Grace? If you love animals more than people, the animals would feel smothered in love. You are such a generous and kind hearted person using your skills for the good and beauty of everyone around you. Why haven't we met yet? The pieces are gorgeous and hopefully they go for big bucks to benefit the greyhounds.

Walden said...

The dog pins look wonderful!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

You know Grace, not many people would think to do this, but in my experience, when you give selflessly usually the Universe finds like minded people to further your cause. Or, if you prefer, one good deed deserves another!

Great work for a great cause. And BTW, I am with you...I like animals most of the time more than people.

KV said...

Awesome generosity on your part, Grace! All of these items are simply gorgeous and will be greatly loved by their recipients.


Kathy V in NM

abeadlady said...

Grace, You put most of us to shame with your generosity. It seems you are always thinking of someone other than yourself. You are an awesome lady.

tammy said...

aww grace these are wonderful-your beading is fantastic as always
my parents have two rescued greyhounds
they are the coolest dogs very cat like in their mannerisms and great couch potatoes :)
this world is a better place for having you in it
enjoy your day
x's & o's
tammy

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Gorgeous work! I have come to believe that you can get anything you want on Etsy/Internet!

Amy Munson said...

I am a lover of greyhounds and have rescued two myself.

Timaree said...

The brooches look wonderful. How nice for her to donate the cabs but then you are nice for all your donations too! I wish I could take a couple of greyhounds. My parents had one when I was a child and I only remember how gentle she was. I already have four saved dogs though. One can only take care of so many. I hope your brooches auction off with a great price to help the dogs.


Not posting? Well at least you are beading which is more than I have been doing. Keep up the good work.

FrumsGlass said...

Grace is defined as...a disposition to be generous or helpful. Based on all these lovely comments and your turning around to help my favorite rescue group, you were given the perfect name.

I know these will bring in lots of needed funds to help the dogs. Thank you so very much.

Katie B said...

I love them!
You are one special lady :)

Lynn said...

I am sure the rescue group is going to be thrilled with your donation! It is gorgeous. Who would have thought you would be able to find such perfect cabs. That is amazing. Seems like this was all part of a bigger plan.

Nice to hear from you again! I've been wondering what you have been up to :)

Blissful Banter of a Creative Crafter said...

What a lovely thing you did! And your broaches are beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration!
Analisa

Leaves of Grass

This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body - Walt Whitman