A Very Brave Family

While I was in New Plymouth for the Dunkley's Great New Zealand Craft Show I was privileged to meet an amazing family.
Rory Gardiner was diagnosed with two cancerous brain tumors when he was 7 years old in March 2009, and since then he and his family have been fighting for his life. He is currently in remission, but will not be considered "safe" until March 2014.
Rory's mother, Leigh, has kept a faithful record of their journey on Rory's website.
During the course of his illness, Rory has amassed an amazing 800+ Beads of Courage!
I urge you to visit there and to read their incredible story.
So to Rory, Leigh, Sean and Sam, I salute you.
You are heroes!

Beads of Courage

I love making beads - it is one of the great joys of my life, but to make these fun beads for kids adds a whole other dimension to my pleasure!

In the Beads of Courage Programme, the children receive set colours and styles of beads for every proceedure they go through, (i.e. green for a blood transfusion) but when they go through a special- tougher - act of courage they receive an extra special - usually handmade - bead.

These are the beads in my latest contribution to the Beads of Courage for our local Child Cancer Foundation group.



The bugs are great fun to make - I'd never really bothered much with "sculptural" beads before and rather surprised myself when these wee fellows appeared.



Tiny Tea! I asked some of the parents what the children like, and apparently food is a big bugbear for their poor sick tummies - but they love to look at yummy things.



When they go into remission, the children receive a purple heart - rather like a soldier who has fought a courageous battle - isn't that appropriate?



I've thought about making cats and dogs and sports balls. Do you have any other suggestions for beads that I could make to make these wonderful children smile?

Little Reminders

I've had a tough day, preparing to settle my Dad into a rest home.
So it was wonderful to be browsing my photos and find this photo which I took during a bleak winter in a challenging environment we were living in for a time. These exquisite little crocus sprung out of a messy bit of ground in the back yard - reminding me that there is beauty everywhere - I must just remember to look.
Aren't flowers miraculous little gifts?

Thank you, New Plymouth

We got back from New Plymouth a couple of days ago, and finally have the van unpacked and repacked ready for the Nelson Market tomorrow.
We had a fabulous time doing the Dunkley’s Great New Zealand Craft Show together.
It’s the first time the Toy Boy and I have worked side-by-side like that and it was fun!
AND…we won first prize for the best stand at the show!

New Plymouth is a beautiful spot – being right on the west coast and right beside Mount Taranaki. We feel a sense of ownership of that mountain – we can see her from our home on crisp winters’ mornings.

So thanks, New Plymouth! I really enjoyed meeting you lovers of beads and beautiful things.

I Like Your Style New Plymouth!

We're here in New Plymouth for the Dunkley's great New Zealand Craft Show which opens tomorrow morning at 10 am at the TSB Stadium at Pukekura Park.
We had a wonderful walk along the beachfront boardwalk this morning.
We went past the museum with it's beautiful nikau gardens and po - this beautiful carved pole, then crossed the train lines.
The fabulous boardwalk covers 6 kilometres of wild West Coast beach and includes the amazing Len Lye Wind Wand.
This lovely little city seems to be full of municipal art and architecture - I'm very impressed!
Is you're around, please come and say "Hi" at the Craft Show!