Flap Your Wings Reveal - A Tribute To Judy Glende

Today is all about Judy Glende.  The amazing artist, mentor, treasure hunter, and friend - that we all will remember for years to come.  We were forced to say "until next time" to Ms. Judy on March 14, 2012, when she gained her wings.  The entire beading community has brushed away many tears....

Judy Glende of Judith B. Designs and Flap Your Wings

Today is Flap Your Wings reveal day...and while I can't wait to see what everyone has come up with, I can't help but wish we were doing this for another reason!  I will not let this post become about cancer...it did not define Judy, and it definitely wasn't who she was!  Today is simply our tribute to a remarkable woman!!

THE PARTICIPANTS

1. Tania Spivey

2. Lori Anderson

3. Kashmira Patel

4. Gail Accinelli

5. Rebecca Anderson

6. Rebekah Payne 

7. Amanda Doyle Tibbetts 

(Amanda regretfully couldn't participant in the reveal but will be making a donation)

8. Kim Ballor 

9. Rochelle Brisson 

10. Sandra McGriff 

11. Lana Kinney 

12. Kym Hunter 

13.  Terri Wlaschin 

14.  Ginger Bishop

15.  Shannon Chomanczuk 

16.  Kelli Jacobson

17.  Patricia Gasparino

18.  Deana Hager

19.  Erin Siegel

20.  Deborah Wenske Brooks

21.  Lynne Bowland

22.  Alicia Marinache

23.  Pam Ferrari

24.  Shirley Jones Moore

25.  Joanne Tinley

26.  Shanti Johnson

27.  Lorelei Eurto

28.  Antiquity Travelers

29.  Shelly Joyce

30.  Marlene Cupo

31.  Dee Torcherer Elgie

Some participants are auctioning, selling (whether privately or through online stores) their creations and will donate their proceeds to the charity of their personal choosing.  Please take the time to enjoy the hop with us, and consider purchasing/bidding/donating to the charities we all hold dear to our hearts.

In Judy's Obituary, the following charities were suggested for donations:

Mustang Alley Horse Rescue, 1020 Walters Road, Greenville, TN 37743 

Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Dermatology Melanoma Research Fund, 55 Fruit Street, Bartlett Hall Room 622, Boston, MA 02114

** Also, if any of the participants would like to mail the donation directly to the Glende family, please send me an email and I will send you their address.

So, without further ado here are my creations:

Tears of an Angel - Brooch:

I have an early 1900's hymnal that belonged to my husband's grandfather.  I treasure this little book, and often take pictures using it as a background, or reading the little notes he wrote within the margins.  I didn't think Pap Paw would mind if I used a page for Judy's creation, so I found a picture of a cemetery  concrete angel (from an Irish cemetery) and printed it on the hymnal page.  The rest, is a hodge-podge of found treasures (my tribute to Judy).  There's a vintage wavy brass stamping that I used to resemble a halo, vintage glass pearl chain, an array of charms and of course lots of beads.  The wings are made of polymer clay and were set in to the resin top coat. The back is a clear acrylic block with safety brooch pin.  I'm a little leary of selling this, as it's not my own photograph, so I'm donating $40 and will wear it often.  I also have to include that Deryn Mentock's work was also my inspiration in this design...her work is AMAZING!!

A Crowning Glory - Assemblage Necklace:

I've had this crown pendant for a few years (purchased from a big box store.)  It was silver tone, and not quite "my kind of thing."  I noticed however in Judy's Etsy store that she had a similar crown listed...and I quickly dug out my ugly focal!  After MANY coats of paint, Rub N' Buff, and sealant...it's not an ugly duckling any longer!  Using the same process as the brooch above, I printed the angel wings on muslin, hand forged the copper frames, and filled them with glossy resin.  The copper circle chain I soldered together (and left it "messy" on purpose...despite my husband's cajoling to "clean it up") and I used two vintage mother of pearl buttons as a clasp.  A vintage rhinestone heart hangs dead center (it was from my own mother's stash of costume jewelry) and golden sari silk wrapped with ivory keshi pearls add a little texture.  The eagle cuff link came from who knows where?  I think it was from some antique baubles that again belonged to Pap Paw McCray.  The sepia photograph charm was a quick stand in, after deciding to rework the charms, and will be replaced with one from my own vintage photos...a wedding picture of my grandparents *pictured below* (just poured the resin)...before listing in my Etsy store.  

I struggled with both of these creations...I wanted to express what I was feeling...and I have a hard enough time doing so with words, so you can imagine how difficult it was for me to portray that within a piece of jewelry.  My donations will be going to Mustang Alley Horse Rescue, donated in Judy's 

memory.

FLAP YOUR WINGS JUDY!!!

No Words

Sometimes, there are no words...so pictures are the best way to get your thoughts out there.  Today's one of those days!

One day, I hope that there won't be a reason to continue making these...

Sweet As Cupcakes

I've said it before, and I'll say it again; if you've never had the opportunity to participate in a Relay For Life event, you are missing out on an amazing experience!  A sense of community, camaraderie, and most importantly...hope.  Something, that no matter what your personal situation and tribulations (and we all have them), we crave.  Where almost everyone has a story, which in turn, creates a bond amongst all of us involved. 

Today was our local Relay event.  The weather, as predicted, was ominous...rain and storms were headed our way for the duration of the day.  I won't even try to say I wasn't slightly disappointed when the weather was forcasted, because to tell the truth, my heart sank - if just a smidge!  Tents, tables, activities and excitement just aren't as much fun in a downpour, right?  But, this morning while drinking my prerequisite pot of morning coffee, and while the house was quiet and still, I dug a little deeper into my thoughts and reasonings (hey, it happens to me occasionally.)

I rewound my memory back to when my own mother was sick, and came to the conclusion that the weather and cancer went hand in hand.  It was a whirlwind 14 months for all of us, to say the least.  It seemed that a thick black cloud hung over every activity, every holiday, every day...until the very end.  Our family's storm, if you will.  The survivors...well they can't be anything other than the rainbow after the horrendous storms have passed, and the warmth of the sun shining is most definitely organizations such as Relay For Life/The American Cancer Society.  This quickly changed my attitude about the day's events...if we weren't all willing to walk through a little rain, then how in damnation can we ever conquer something as devastating as cancer?  Perfect analogy.  Shoes on!

Luckily, the weather was quite cooperative until 5 p.m.  The luminaria event will be held at a later date, which we will NOT miss.  Come hell or high water, even if I have to drag myself there...I will attend!!  Personally, while the survivors' walk is beyond a hopeful and inspiring jump start to the day(which we all need), the luminaria ceremony is where my heart lies.  After such an upbeat, encouraging day, it's that last lap completed in silence and darkness, with only candlelight to light our way, that speaks to me.  The sheer volume of luminaries is harrowing, and it's a time to remember those storms our loved ones endured...not in vain, and in turn, gives us all the will to fight until there is no longer a need for luminaries or even relays at all!!

Here's a few highlights from today:

What's a Relay without a relay??

Sack race anyone?  These girls have a hard time just walking...Grace is not either of their names...throw in a sack...and well, you have a disaster...wedding video montage material for sure!

The one on her knees?  Yeah, she's mine *face palm*

Who doesn't LOVE cupcakes?  Sweet as sugar... Welcome to the cupcake eating contest (a dozen of them each)!!!!

Ok...these two seemed a little "cocky" before the contest considering the were the only adult females, the youngest and were outweighed by at least 50lbs...we'll see....

On your mark, get set...wait a hinkey....is that apprehension I see?

And they're off...although not glamorously!

The look says "Hey, 'Riah...maybe this wasn't such a great idea!"

And after coming to terms with their defeat...there's nothing like a little friendly cupcake fight between best friends!

Custom Sweet Memories

Wonder if I can interest my girls in a cupcake?

So, if you take nothing else away from this tonight...please do yourself a favor and treat yourself to the experience of Relay For Life....oh, and that cupcake eating contests will immediately crush your love of cupcakes FOREVER!!! ;)