Living for Beads, Beading for Life

My sister and I recently decided to set a limit on the cost of gifts our families buy for one another. We're both having some, um, interesting financial times and it seemed only prudent. It got me thinking (well that and LauraJ's posts on being frugal!). Granted this can be a dangerous thing as I've only a few untainted braincells available for such a purpose but thinking I was. Then I read about this group today in a fellow jewelry designer's blog: http://www.beadforlife.org/beaders/beaders.html

It's so easy to forget, as we struggle to pay our mortgages or take our family on vacation or even grab a bite at a McDonald's, that in many parts of the world, a vacation would be anytime they have enough to eat and aren't falling down from exhaustion. As the holiday season is coming up, if you know any crafty people (they sell loose beads), people that like world music (their group cut a CD), people that would love a little handmade jewelry pouch, or people that like unusual jewelry, please consider a purchase from the Bead for Life store: http://www.beadforlifestore.com/servlet/.3fbe5b94/StoreFront

Yes, I know I make and sell jewelry and, obviously, I love every purchase anyone makes from me, but I can (usually) pay my mortgage. These people often can't put more than one meal on the table a day - and that's exaggerating as they don't have tables. Sometimes, they don't even have cooking pots, mattresses or cots, or a cupboard to store what little they do have.

I've bought a couple CDs and a bunch of loose beads, which you'll see start turning up in my work soon, no doubt.

Other ideas for holiday gifts with added meaning?
http://shop.thehungersite.com/store/category.do?siteId=220&categoryId=284&origin=101171
(if you order the recycled silk yarn, be aware that it is NOT for beginners!)
http://www.supportunicef.org/site/pp.asp?c=9fLEJSOALpE&b=258522
http://www.alternativegifts.org/
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/

Gratitude Abounds / Thankful Tuesday

And let me share it.

First, a very large thank you for the support when I was having a rough go of it last week. Since the miscarriage, the emotional aspect of my PMS has been much more strident. I feel almost like I did when I was on Clomid. Lord knows what will happen if I go back on it! To know such bright, sensitive women "got my back" is enormously comforting.

Secondly, a particularly thank you to the wonderfully caring and very talented Graymama. I was having a frustrating time when the mail arrived and, what's this?, a package? I don't have anything on order... what *is* it?? It was a box full of terrificness (it is too a word, sort of) -- everything from chocolate soap and lipbalm to amazing hand-knitted dishcloths (and I'm sorry, Graymama, they are waaaay too pretty to wash the dishes with!!) to a book on pregnancy after loss to DVDs for Katie to ... the list goes on and on. I should have taken pictures but I didn't (sorry!!). Everything was so delightfully wrapped in gaily colored fabric. It was a pick-me-up I desperately needed and all the more effective for being unexpected. It was a joy from start to finish.

You said it was part of a pay-it-forward project, Graymama; you've got a lot of good karma coming your way from this, that's for sure.

I am so grateful for everyone who stops by here and posts and worries if I haven't posted and comforts and cajoles and sometimes gives me a kick in the ass. You guys are the greatest.