Welcome the the Art Charm Reveal! This special event is designed to raise funds for a great charity : Beads of Courage. In case you haven’t heard of them , their mission is “… providing innovative, arts-in-medicine supportive care programs for children coping with serious illness, their families and the health care providers who care for them.”
Beads have been seen in many cultures as symbols of wealth, of status, amulets of power…and healing. The BOC page has a great article to that effect. Jen Cameron of Glass Addictions has organized this swap and auction for a few years running. Participants made and traded beads, offering at least one of each design up for auction – where all proceeds benefit the charity.
This year I was very inspired, as the Fairy Tale theme is a focus of my work on a regular basis. My first charm was the castle – seen above in its original sculpt and then painted. The castle is such an icon in fairy tales… as the starting pint from whence heroes and heroines depart on quests of discovery and exploration…. as the destination after trials and travails. Its the home, the haven, the sanctuary and yet its the goal, the reward. It can even be the jail, the challenge, the obstacle…
In working on my charms I was playing with the dragon as well. This is its debut! There will be one OOAK charm available at the auction. Dragons can be the obstacle to overcome, but they can also be a guide on the hero/ine’s journey. Associated with age, wisdom, wealth… they are a powerful and recurring icon.
My third charm is very detailed, very meaningful and related to one specific tale. Inspired by the Grimm’s “Fitcher’s Bird” and Angela Carter’s story “ The Bloody Chamber” – this is a polymer hand, with charm key and blood red garnet drop. The tale tells of BlueBeard’s wife, given and egg to hold, and a key to a secret chamber she must not enter while he is away. Curiosity wins, and she enters to find the remains of his previous wives… Through ingenuity and cunning she defeats him… A gruesome tale to be sure, but the original tales usually were… ( Read more at“BlueBeard and the Bloody Chamber” and article by Terri Windling)
So take a look at the treasures I received – and remember! You can bid! Its a great cause and these unique special edition beads could be added to your collection!
1. Red Riding hood ceramic bead. Caroline at Blueberribeads 2. Tortoise and the Hare ceramic bead. Terri at Artisticaos.
1. polymer face bead by Patti/Miya Beads 2. resin charm by Vanessa of Culturezine 3. “Muchness” lampwork and metal focal by Jen at Glass Addictions 4. Stamped heart charm by Marianne of Simply Seablime
1. Polymer charm set by Brooke at Artistic Endeavors 2. polymer hat charm by Alenka at Pepita 3. Lampwork pot-o-gold by Sue at Sue Beads
Had to show you the packaging! Silver charm by Charlene of Clay Space!
Now – Please hop the blog hop… but steady on like the tortoise! There are many lovely offerings to see. AND the auction- details to follow as soon as possible! Don’t forget. Great cause – and a treat for you!
Participants:
- Alenka Obid
- Andrea Glick
- Angelique Gentry
- Brooke Bock
- Caroline Dewison
- Cassi Paslick
- Catherine van Alphen
- Charlene Jacka
- Helena Hatten
- Jen Cameron
- Jenny Davies-Reazor ( you are here)
- Kathy Lindemer
- Leona Smith
- Lesley Watt
- Lori Anderson
- Marianne Baxter
- Melissa Trudinger
- Michelle McCarthy
- Patty Miller
- Shai Williams
- Sheila Prosterman
- Susan Kennedy
- Terri Del Signore
- Vanessa Gilkes
Jenny Davies-Reazor 
Now I totally want to read the story about the chamber of dead wives and how she defeats him. YIKES! I love every single charm and am so glad you decided to participate again.
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I think the hand charm is wonderful. I love how you have incorporated all the different elements of the story. It looks like an ancient talisman.
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Your charms are all wonderful. Such detail and meaning! Thanks for sharing your thought process.
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I love the dragon and what it symbolizes. Thanks for the tale!
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May I say, “Wow!”? And the Fitcher’s Bird one..no one has ever heard of that when I speak of it. These are stunning. The meaning and charm put into each piece. Keep spreading your magic because it’s utterly enchanting!
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These are all beautiful, and I love hearing the stories!
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Love them all! On my bidding list!
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I was lucky enough to get one of the castle charms. Now I just need to bid for the dragon to go with it!
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I got one of your castles, it’s great! Beautiful!
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Oh and – hop on the blog hop……
Hahaha! Nice!!
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Love your charms, you get so much detail in them, they’re incredible! And I’m going to look that story up, I enjoy the darker tales! If you do too… look for Russian Fairy tales (free on kindle) the cultural interpretations of the stories are wonderful.
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