The Story behind Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope

Why I do What I do!

Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope Mission
I, Lexi Butler certified goldsmith, jewelry designer also beading artist and owner/ creator of the online boutique Beaded Jewels have experienced the devastation of cancer, directly through my dad who was diagnosed in 2003 with stage four colorectal cancer. When I heard the devastating news from my mother over the phone, I took an emergency flight to Germany to see my father one more time or so I thought.
 Nothing could prepare me of what I was about to see, once I reached my family’s home. The handsome man in statue had shriveled into this pale, bald, skinny, almost not recognizable human being a picture that would stay with me for years to come. Today, my father is a seven year survivor and we thank God for each day he gets to live.
 During my life in Germany, I knew my dad not only as the father figure, but as the boss of his jewelry company. As I grew, I also learned the trade of goldsmith and design, in which I decided to become certified in both. For many years, I have wanted to help and make a difference, but did not quite know how to go about it.
 As many people today, I was uninformed about the many types of cancer alone that affect thousands of people every day. Until one day when I met this young women who was a Cervical Cancer Survivor. We met online in a chat room where I was presenting Beaded Jewels at the time. After talking with her and also through prayerful confirmation it was clear to me what I needed to do. I wanted to make a difference and help inform people and spread cancer awareness nationwide through a unique way, by designing and handcrafting a special bracelet line which I named “Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope” which design by the way came from no other then God. Knowing myself how devastating cancer is, I wanted to “Bring A Little Sparkle into someone’s Life” which is the Motto behind Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope.
 Having met a lot of people, not only devastated by cancer, but also all kind of other diseases, I decided to expand the bracelet line to all cancer, diseases and causes.
The Mission behind Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope is: “Raise Awareness and Spread Knowledge of Cancer, Diseases and Causes through Colours International.”
 Since the Mission first began in October 2009 we have now reached 95 individuals who have expressed a need for one or more Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope. In just a little over a year we have sold 115 plus bracelets which were either ordered in basic style or made to custom with their name, and other personalizing options or for Team Spirit Awareness. We have since broken through the national border with having send bracelets as far as Trinidad and Tobago as well as Auckland New Zealand.
 The Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope Mission started with one bracelet are still to this day each Beaded Jewels Bracelet of Hope is individually made by me by hand and only made by me. Every order I get is still received with mixed emotion, especially if a child has passed away, and the bracelet is made for a mother who is wearing it in the memory of the child. Therefore each bracelet is made with Love and great care also prayed over for the person that receives it.
 You can choose now from the Colours of Cause List of 34 different colours and combination  at http://www.beadedjewels.biz/colours_of_causes.html which are associated with the awareness colours national and also 12 personalizing option to make the bracelets you choose truly yours.
 Sometimes families are in battle with more then one kind of cancer, diseases or causes. For this reason I designed the Variety Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope. Meaning you can choose up to six different colours to be woven into your Bracelets. Instead of a name you can also add Initials from Family members. I can fit into a 7 inch bracelet up to eight sterling silver Block letters.
 The Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope are made sturdy enough to withstand severe epileptic seizures. They can be worn in water and can also be cleaned with a soft toothbrush and simple Dawn without bleach. The sterling silver extension chain and lobster clasp can be cleaned in silver jewelry cleaner if it should tarnish.
 The Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope should be worn to any occasion because they are elegant and very sparkly and good way to raise awareness, because once noted they can be a conversation starter, about the cancer, disease or cause your facing, have faced or someone has passed away from in your family or friends cycle or is facing right now.
 Now you know why I do what I do!
 Lexi Butler
Owner and Creator of Beaded Jewels
http://www.beadedjewels.biz/
 Founder of Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope Mission
http://www.beadedjewels.biz/bracelets_of_hope.html

Isaiah 65:24 - Before they ask I will answer

This is a story written by a doctor who worked in Africa.         One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive; as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).         We also had no special feeding facilities.         Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.         Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates)..         'And it is our last hot water bottle!' she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in  Central Africa         it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles.         They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.         'All right,' I said, 'put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts Your job is to keep the baby warm.'         The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough,mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.         During prayer time, one ten -year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. 'Please, God' she prayed, 'Send us a hot water bottle today It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.'         While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, 'And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?'         As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say 'Amen?' I just did not believe that God could do this.         Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in   Africa  for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home.         Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!         Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children... Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. >From the top, I lifted out brightly-colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored.. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend.         Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be?         I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried.         I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.         Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, 'If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!'         Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!         Looking up at me, she asked, 'Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?'         'Of course,' I replied!         That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator..         And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it 'that afternoon.'         'Before they call, I will answer.' (Isaiah 65:24)         When you receive this, say the prayer. That's all I ask. No strings attached. Just send it on to whomever you want - but do send it on.         Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another.         This awesome prayer takes less than a minute.         Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this. I ask You to minister to their spirit. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence to work through them Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, guidance, and strength. Where there is fear, reveal Your love and release to them Your courage.. Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them.  I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name. Amen         P. S. Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both. Passing this on to one not considered a friend is something Christ would do.

CURE 4 CONNOR FUNDRAISER/AUCTION by Beaded Jewels

Beaded Jewels Auctions/Fundraisers
                                         

Connor Ruisz of Orland Park is a fun loving, energetic 3 year old boy that was diagnosed in January with Medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive Brain Tumor.

He has had surgery to remove the tumor, but is now undergoing aggressive Chemotherapy treatments at Children’s Hospital downtown.

We would really like to help Connor, so we are auctioning off one of the Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope Awareness bracelet for Childhood Cancer. The awareness Colour is gold. The bracelet will be made out of golden topaz sawrovski crystals and golden colour delica tube beads.

The highest bidder (at least $40.00) have the choice of a four letter sterling silver block personalization and a sterling silver ribbon as pictured above . The bracelet closes with a sterling silver lobsterclasp and has an sterling silver extention chain . Bracelet can be made 7 or 8 inches long.

HOW TO PLACE A BID- http://www.beadedjewels.biz/auctions.php To place a bid please write on our auction page  in the comment field how much you would like to bid on this Beaded Jewels Bracelet of Hope. It is required to leave a valid email address where the highest bidder can be contacted after the auction is closed.. You will also be directed through email of where to send the payment to. 100% of the proceeds will go to  CURE 4 CONNOR

The auction will close Saturday May 7th 2011 12am Est.

The winner OR HIGHEST Bidder will be notified on Monday May 9th 2011

100% of the proceeds from this auction/fundraiser will go to
CURE 4 CONNOR
http://www.beadedjewels.biz/auctions.php

Exquisite Flower Jewels by Beaded Jewels

Spring is in the air....everywhere just not in Montana. As long as it snows over here I do not consider it Spring. So while it is raining storming or snowing outside, I am sitting in my little atelier....thinking of spring and in particular flowers. Flowers are the greatest part of spring for me. One of my favorite flowers which bloom later are Daisies.

This year I am incorporating my love for daisies in my jewels. At Beaded Jewels you will find daisies in all colours. Orange , blue, aquamarine are just a few colours that are shown here.

Last year I started with glow -in-the-dark chokers for teens and children. Some of them are still available at http://www.beadedjewels.biz/teen_jewelry_2.html 

This year I am taking it to a whole new level. The first Daisy Jewel I created was a Bracelet. The bracelet is woven together intricately out of individual flowers with free moving flower petals, just like the real flowers. It is fully movable and flexible and voluminous. The bracelet closes with an easy sterling silver hook closure and measures 7 1/2 inches. This gorgeous one-of-a kind bracelet is best worn on a wrist no lager then 6 1/2 inches so that the flowers will not look stretched. The bracelet as you can see has layers and does not appear flat. It is a live it seems like that anyway. When I design a piece of jewelry I keep in mind one very important yet often overlooked thing. Nothing I design  is ever stiff, because then one can not play with it. That is the most important aspect for me as a designer- flexibility.
Then came the bead-woven Daisy Jewel Ring which can be worn not only as a finger ring but is comfortable to be worn on your toes. Designing and making the Daisy Jewel Ring it was especially important to me that the petals show no gaps in between the petals. There are no gaps in nature, except when you pull out a petal.

So as you see I came up with a way to weave these petals close together, that one can not see where the petals actually go through the middle bead. I don't want you to see how I got there. I just want you to be amazed and keep you guessing.  The band of the ring is also woven with tiny delica tube beads. These are just the first two jewels from the Daisy Jewels, which will be offered in more colours soon. If you are interested in purchasing the bracelet, or ring which is a size 8 but can be made in any size or colour contact me at http://www.beadedjewels.biz/contact.php

As always enjoy your visit at Beaded Jewels.
Best Regards
Lexi Butler