February is Heart Month!!!!!!
I'm in the midst of preparing for what is called "Soups On", which is a fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of North Bay. February is Heart and Stroke month so there is much happening across the country. For Soups On, local establishments in and around the area prepare a "pot of soup" which they bring to a meeting place where people can come for a small fee and enjoy a hearty lunch taste testing all the wonderful soups...last year the lunch included coffee, water, veggies and fruit. On a cold winter day what more could you want?I've been a supporter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation personally for years as my father, grandfather and both grandmothers died from heart disease and one of my brothers had a massive heart attack 9 years ago at the age of 43...he has since recovered and is leading a healthy life. It is my strong belief research is the primary reason he is alive today, which contributes to why I support the Heart and Stroke Foundation financially.I love the color of these lampwork beads, purple and lime green with a touch of gold in there...I know it is a little difficult to see...
In December of 2007 I decided I could do a little more to contribute to the Heart and Stroke Foundation so I decided to make jewelry, each piece with a heart, big or small it didn't matter...as long as the item I made had a heart on it someplace I would contribute a portion of the sale from that item to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. For the past year I've made all different manner of items, but this year I also plan to focus on one special piece that will be produced regularly, but until I perfect the idea I'll keep it under wraps...for now here are a few of the items I've just made to display at Soups On...I don't sell my product at this luncheon, but make the public aware of what it is I'm doing and what is available...One piece of Argentium wrapped to make a heart and the ear wire...simple which we know I like!
A great pair of turquoise hearts...for wrapping the hearts and the ear wires I've used anodized Niobium, which is strong, corrosion resistant and hypo-allergenic wire...for those who aren't familiar anodized is "To coat (a metallic surface) electrolytically with a protective or decorative oxide" courtesy of www.dictionary.com . The coating give it the great chocolate brown color, but it comes in a rainbow of colors. I've decided to try this product as I've had a number of people ask me about it in the last year or so as more an more people are having issues with allergies. It has also come to my attention not all stainless steel is nickle free...so...I now have nickle free stainless steel ear wires in stock.
One piece of Argentium Silver wire wrapped into a heart as a pendant...all that is left to do is hang it from a chain or necklace...you never know I could also add a gemstone or crystal , or I could hammer it a bit!
The red set at the top is a very pretty set of lampwork beads, wire wrapped of course with Argentium silver....Take a moment to visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation website...their motto is "Finding Answers. For life"Cheers