HOPE News - 2004

I'm going to ETHIOPIA!  I'll be gone Oct. 2-18 and will be teaching and making bracelets along with Devon, Alissa and the Project Mercy workers.  We don't know yet how many there will be helping, but I'll have LOTS more images posted on this website by the middle of November....about the time the 2004 Bracelets become available for sale!  STAY TUNED!

After much volunteer activity and "bead begging" at the Denver and Tucson bead shows, MANY big-hearted lampworkers have donated beads for the Project.....some of them have donated HUNDREDS of bracelet-sized handmade glass beads!  Bless YOU!  We are saving beads arriving after August, 2004 for the NEXT edition of HOPE Bracelets.



It seems to be simpler during the bracelet making efforts in Ethiopia if the beads are pre-packaged into groups of 5-7 beads.  This group of dedicated Colorado beaders...about 25 in all...
generously spent the day on March 10 sorting (and playing with) these little beauties. 

Betsy Wiersma, the "Mother of HOPE" is standing in the green shirt....Thank you, Betsy!!

 

 

 

 

We met at Strings Restaurant, who provided an entire room for the effort, as well as a special "Bead Women" luncheon!  After much fun, designing, networking,  and munching, we created 740 color-matched groupings of beads!

 

We're confident that we have already received enough donated beads 
to make all 1,000 bracelets for this year....AWESOME!
Other "sorting gigs" were held this summer and fall.

Volunteers for the 2004 trip to Ethiopia will be departing October 2
to assist in the creation of this years' generation of HOPE Bracelets.
They plan to return with 1,000 brand new bracelets which will
be offered for sale online and in the Denver Metro area in November....
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

 

PHASE II- Creating Beads in Ethiopia

Thanks to the most-generous donation of a complete lampworking setup, we'll soon be able to teach men and women in Yetebon to create their own BEADS! 
                                             Arrow Springs  and   Frantz Art Glass
have truly outdone themselves this time in donating this valuable equipment!!  Beginning beadmaking classes will begin during our October, 2004 trip to Yetebon and, if interest is strong, other instructors will be recruited to refine the beadmaking skills of the Ethiopian artists during future trips.  It is our hope that a new industry will be created and the Project Mercy beads will be marketed locally, creating more income opportunities for the residents of Yetebon.

 

  I Want TO Buy A HOPE BRACELET!


Here's the very FIRST 2004 HOPE Bracelet!  (Made by Devon here in the US)  We hope to have 999 more available for sale this November, so stay tuned!  Online sales of the 2004 bracelets are in the planning stages!

    The cost is a minimum donation of $100 per bracelet 

E-Mail us  to be added to the HOPE Updates List 

                                 click the image to see the whole bracelet
  

Each of the 2004 HOPE Bracelets  features a sterling silver clasp  specially created by Colorado jeweler Michelene Berkey.
       Note the tiny dove on it!

Each bracelet will also will include a sterling "HOPE 04" bead 
designed by Robert Burkett.            
       It is just above the clasp in the bracelet above

 

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