Saturday, March 2, 2013

HELP WANTED: Calling all Purple People!


We all have someone in our lives who has been affected by disease; some suffer years, some are taken from us way too soon.  Many of these diseases have fundraising walks, runs and special events. There are awareness ribbons, shirts and other items used to get the word out.

I admit it, at times I have thought its too much. BUT then I was affected. NOW I get it!  I see why the walks and ribbons are important. These events serve several purposes:

  1.  raise awareness of the disease, and educate people.
  2.  raise funds to fight the disease through research of the cause and possible cure, and programs to help families who are dealing with the devastating effects of the disease.
  3. give family members and friends something to DO, to help them deal with their pain!


No, I didnt get a tattoo, my daughter Alycia did!
Many of you know I just lost my sister to Alzheimer's disease. It has rocked our world. I am sad. I am upset. Hell, I am pissedI have to do something to fight back. So I do what I do.

Last year I found out about the Walk to End Alzheimer's which was happening along the boardwalk on Virginia Beach, just six blocks from my place! Problem was I found out about it way too late to raise any real funds. With only a few days left I came up with the idea to make jewelry to hand out to the walkers to thank them for their fundraising efforts. You can read all about it CLICK here.


Well the 2013 Walk is in October and THIS time I want to be prepared. I have set a goal of creating atleast 100 pairs of earrings and keychains to pass out to walkers. To get this started I put the word out that I would love to swap for PURPLE beads. WELL! Let me just tell you - I have received an avalanche of purple beads!

First I received wonderful swap packages from Facebook friends and Bead Swap-USA pals * 

* Lennis Carrier, Sondra Jackson, Nancy Rocknich, Lindsay Starr, Sherri Stokey, Jennifer Reno , Nicole Weltch and Lisa Lodge.

AND then last week I received a HUMONGOUS box packed with all kinds of really cool purple beads and metal findings from lovely friends Bead Faeries ** from PROJECT BEAD, a Facebook group founded by Sandra McGriff of Creative Chaos. Read all about this sneak attack of the purply kind - CLICK HERE 

 ** Bead Faeries: Heidi Kingman, Robin Reed, Jana Perez Stribel, Kristen Stevens, Sandra Wollberg, Alicia Marinache, Christine Smith, Ali McCarthy, Chief Faerie Sandra McGriff and her winged helpers Rita Aviles and Marlene Cupo (aka Sis).

Now with all this purple goodness in the house I have plenty enough to surpass my goal of 100 BUT I have to get busy creating. TIME IS TICKING AWAY...




I think I need some help! Are you INTERESTED? I was thinking I could send out a small mix of beads and findings, enough for one pair of earrings. When I get them back I'd show them off on my blog and facebook page. To make sure you get credit for your design I'd ask you to include your biz card or other contact info when you send the jewelry back to me.

Let me know if you're game, leave a comment below and email your address to me at torisophia@gmail.com


If you'd like to make a monetary donation to support me in my walk please visit Shelley's WALK TO END ALZHEIMER's page . Right now I am #5 in the TOP Fundraisers! (well things are just getting started but its still encouraging!)


Other plans and happenings...
  1. I have been purchasing purple themed pieces from my artists friends to include in a future auction. If you have any you'd like to show me, please send me a link.
  2. I reached out to a local group I found on Facebook, YAAA! Hampton Roads - Young Adults Alheimer's Awareness. They are part of the Alzheimer's Association's  Southeastern Virginia Chapter. I was honored to be able to donate a few of my TORI SOPHIA Designs to a silent auction they are holding this weekend, at their 3rd Annual Black Tie Bowling fundraiser. 
  3. Hoping to work with them in holding a one big ole jewelry-making event!

So stay tuned. If you would like to be kept up-to-date on my fundraising projects please add your address in the box on my sidebar titled "Follow me by E-mail".

~  Shelley





47 comments:

  1. I would love to make a pair of purple earrings for you! No need to send me back any purple beads though - I still have lots! You'll have to message me your mailing address. Big hugs to you and your family, Shelley!

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    1. Aw Heidi..are you sure? I have sooo many beads here! Thats why I need the help. I can't bear to just have them sit here and there are way more than 200! Guess I'll just keep making jewelry until they are all gone (like 2021!)

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  2. I'd love to create a few pairs of purple earrings for you as well. But I think I won't need you to send me any. I have plenty of purple beads here as well :)
    And I bet it will be cheaper this way too. I'm too far away to be sending a small packet of beads around half of the planet and then back again.
    I'll scrounge through my boxes to see what I can find and pm you for an address when I'm done!
    Jana

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    1. Oh my beadness! This is so nice of you to offer but I hate for you to use your own beads, especially after sending me beads already! BUT I know it will be really cool when the recipient of your earrings see that they came all the way from Spain!

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  3. I'm game too, Shelley - no need to send beads back, I have plenty. I might have a pair of earrings handy. I have your address too :)

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    1. What do I say that I havent said before? THANK YOU Alicia! <3

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  4. I'd love to participate> such a good cause!

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    1. Please email me with your name and address!

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    2. Oh Ellie, sorry didn't recognize your user name. I got you down, thanks!

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  5. Shelley, I would be thrilled to get to help you and can commit to making three pair. And I do not have ANY purple beads, so you finally have someone to send them to. =) Only one catch, I'll be moving in about 2 weeks. Do you think you can get beads to So Cal this week? Other than purple beaded earrings, did you have any other specifications in what you are looking for?

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    1. Thank you! That would be great. Let me know your new address after you get all settled in, we have until October. Happy Moving!

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  6. Shell, looks like you'll have to save your big box of purple for your purple parties ;) Bring what ever's left with you in August and we'll all put a big dent in it.

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    1. Oh don't worry I will bring them! We can make them poolside right? xxoo

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  7. Mail me some purple, mom ! Please do put in some findings too, sweetling, as I don't really do earrings so I don't keep hooks around <3 I'll do a few pairs for you.

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    1. Oh Sonya! COME on you guys...is this a conspiracy? Why doesnt antone want my beads?! I swear I didn't lick them or ANYTHING!

      Seriously I really appreciate you for doing this!

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  9. I would love to help you make some goodies, I can make some earrings, bracelets....what ever you need.

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    1. Thank you Mary. I will put you on the list! Purple beads on their way. xxoo

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  10. Shelley, put me on the list too!!! I don't have any purple beads so if you want I will make some earrings for you. I can make 5 pair!!!If you have any specs for them...long dangles, short drops etc... let me know! Great Cause!

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    1. Ok great Robin! I will send you plenty of earrings! THANKS! and design is ALL up to you. (I have your address.)

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  11. Great idea Shelley, I'll drop a piece or two of something in your art charm swap package when I mail it next week.

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    1. Oh thank you Dana, I appreciate that! xxoo

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  12. Ive got MORE recoup time coming (sigh) but as soon as im done with the 100 pieces I promised I would love to start helping :) Have an envelope of purple beads I was getting ready to send to you when I ended up back here so I will just use those and send you the rest for future purple parties :) <3 Hugs

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    1. Girl whatchu doing? You are supposed to be resting! You better get your rest so you can get strong and go home. I appreciate your wanting to help but I need you well!! we can talk about it later, got until October. IF YOU need help with your 100 let me know! xxoo

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  13. Add me to the list, Shelley! I would be glad to make you some purple earrings.

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    1. Thanks Lisa, have you on my list..will be working my way through packing up beads and findings and shipping out a few at a time. Appreciate your contribution to my project!

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  14. I'd love to help! :) Purple earrings heading your way, Shelley!

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    1. Awww thanks Rita. You are such a sweetie! Whatever you send will be very appreciated! xxoo ~ Shelley

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  15. I'd love to help!!! I have the findings, just not many purple beads left over. So if you can send me beads, I'll make up to 25 pairs of earrings. (I do them in clumps/sprees!). Also, if you have requests, don't hesitate to ask. I've been working in copper, but also have silver-plated surgical steel and sterling silver earwires. Which would you prefer?

    <3,
    Andrea Glick

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    1. Thanks Andrea. That's great, 25 pairs!!! of course I will send you lots and lots of purple beads. I will be very happy with anything you create, truly! Duplicates are even welcome if you come up with a really cool one that you like.

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  16. Shelley, I would be honored to help in this project with Earrings and Keychains. This would not only help spread the word but would also help me with my own grief. Thanks for coming up with this idea and count me in on this project. What do i do from here to get started?

    Nailah

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    1. Oh Nailah, how sweet of you to help me out. I know you are going through a rough time and my heart goes out to you. I am praying for you and your family. I have your address so I will send you a packet soon. THANK you! ((hug))

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  17. Hi Shelley, I would love to help you with you jewelry goal. Tell me what you want and I'll get it done. Zia

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    1. So glad to have you Zia...you are now an official member of JILLY's BEAD POSSE!

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  18. I would be interested in helping you out. If you want to send more than one set that would be fine with me. I will make it a priority and get them back to you ASAP. Will send my email to your email address.

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    1. Thanks so much for reaching out to help! It means so much to me. AND THANK YOU for donating to my WALK fundraiser too.

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  19. I just donated in your name. Good luck. I would love to be able to come walk it with you, but I've been so sick this winter and I'm self employed. So that being said, I don't get paid when I don't work. Again Good luck.

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  20. Hi Shelley, I will make two pair of earrings, no need to send me a beads,too far away. All I need is your address.

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    1. Thanks Solange! We are sooo happy to have us join us, all the way from France too?! Thanks for reaching out.

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  21. Oh sorry I forgot to sign up. I am Solange Collin

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    1. Great Leah! Make sure to join us online in the Facebook group Jilly's Bead Posse...see you there!

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  23. Please let me help you too. I can make lots of earrings. I have lots of time on my hands. Kerri Medlock Dabney

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    1. Kerri, I would be honored to add your name to our list. Please join us on Jilly' s Bead Posse

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