This year's theme will be FLOWERS!
HAPPY BEADING!
Monday, January 7, 2019
2019 Theme: FLOWERS
Thanks to everyone who responded to the survey!
This year's theme will be FLOWERS!
If you would like to get started, feel free to visit http://www.amybeads.com/p/free-patterns.html for some flower patterns!
HAPPY BEADING!
This year's theme will be FLOWERS!
HAPPY BEADING!
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
BEAD IT FORWARD 2018/2019 UPDATE
I NEED YOUR HELP!
Over the last couple years, I have immensely enjoyed working on Bead-It-Forwad, but it is not without its challenges. I have a few helpers, but not enough and the job is overwhelming.
At the moment there are piles of Bead-It-Forward butterfly squares that have been glued onto, but are waiting to be stitched onto, quilts and other objects, and still many butterfly squares waiting for assembly. I continue to work on these items, but it is slow-going. Here are just a few examples!
Over the last couple years, I have immensely enjoyed working on Bead-It-Forwad, but it is not without its challenges. I have a few helpers, but not enough and the job is overwhelming.
At the moment there are piles of Bead-It-Forward butterfly squares that have been glued onto, but are waiting to be stitched onto, quilts and other objects, and still many butterfly squares waiting for assembly. I continue to work on these items, but it is slow-going. Here are just a few examples!
IN ADDITION, there is still an ETSY sitewith Bead-It-Forward products, which has remained very stagnant over the last few years. I have been targeting fundraising events benefiting breast cancer research and/or treatment over the last couple years and have been able to donate some products to those events, but looking for more ideas on ways to raise funds for cancer research and/or treatment through this project!
So given just these two challenges, I am on the fence whether or not the project can or should be sustained. I know so many people love participating (including myself!), so I'd hate to see it end.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
I am not opposed to handing off the project to someone else. If anyone out there has more time to manage it and can think of some ways to bring some life to moving the product to raise funds - please let me know! I'd be glad to assist during any transition and continue to help. It does not have to be an individual - maybe a bead society or beading group would like to take this project over?
In the meanwhile, I would love to form a committee of helpers that can help with decisions, ideas, and assembling product. Interested? Please let me know!!!
Let's tentatively start tossing around ideas for a 2019 theme!
Please click hereto select an idea or suggest a new one!
Sunday, January 28, 2018
2018 Butterfly Theme
We've received some squares for the 2018 butterfly theme!
Can't wait to see what everyone sends in. Please visit he Bead-It-Forward Facebook page to see a gallery of what has been submitted so far:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/BeaditForward/photos/?ref=page_internal
Can't wait to see what everyone sends in. Please visit he Bead-It-Forward Facebook page to see a gallery of what has been submitted so far:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/BeaditForward/photos/?ref=page_internal
Monday, May 22, 2017
Bead-It-Forward Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who took a moment to share their thoughts and opinions!! It is SO helpful!
Here is a summary of the most popular answers, and some of this is paraphrasing, but as the survey answers came in, a lot of similar thoughts were revealed.
The first question: Many people have suggested making the squares available in their raw form, unassembled. What do you think of this idea?
Over 80% of respondents said they loved it or didn't care either way. This will be a fun new element to add to the Bead-It-Forward product line!
Second question: Thinking ahead to 2018, what would you like the theme to be? (The 2018 theme will be selected from the most popular answer)
This one was a little bit closer, the top two answers were Butterflies and Hearts, but Butterflies beat Hearts by 6% so BUTTERFLIES it is for the 2018 theme!!
Third question: Fundraising has been a challenge and there is still a lot of product (quilts and other crafted objects) leftover from previous years. Any suggestions on how to increase the appeal of selling the quilts?
The answers to these questions were incredibly thoughtful and fantastic!
SMALLER ITEMS: One idea that came up time and time again, was to not make as many quilts, and to make items smaller, hence more useful and/or affordable. So for SURE this year, we will make more journals, ornaments, bookmarks, etc...
DONATE MORE WIDELY: Another idea that was mentioned many times was to donate the items to local fundraisers around the country that benefit or are related to breast cancer research or care. This is totally do-able! In fact, if anyone knows of any fundraisers, let's get some quilts donated to these events!
EXPOSURE THROUGH BEAD SOCIETIES, GROUPS, AND STORES: Yes, yes, and yes! This is a great idea and an easy, low-cost/no-cost way to gain more exposure about the project.
So once again, a HUGE thanks to everyone who took a moment to contribute their thoughts and opinions on this project. Stay tuned for info on when 2017 product will be available for purchase this summer!
Here is a summary of the most popular answers, and some of this is paraphrasing, but as the survey answers came in, a lot of similar thoughts were revealed.
The first question: Many people have suggested making the squares available in their raw form, unassembled. What do you think of this idea?
Over 80% of respondents said they loved it or didn't care either way. This will be a fun new element to add to the Bead-It-Forward product line!
Second question: Thinking ahead to 2018, what would you like the theme to be? (The 2018 theme will be selected from the most popular answer)
This one was a little bit closer, the top two answers were Butterflies and Hearts, but Butterflies beat Hearts by 6% so BUTTERFLIES it is for the 2018 theme!!
Third question: Fundraising has been a challenge and there is still a lot of product (quilts and other crafted objects) leftover from previous years. Any suggestions on how to increase the appeal of selling the quilts?
The answers to these questions were incredibly thoughtful and fantastic!
SMALLER ITEMS: One idea that came up time and time again, was to not make as many quilts, and to make items smaller, hence more useful and/or affordable. So for SURE this year, we will make more journals, ornaments, bookmarks, etc...
DONATE MORE WIDELY: Another idea that was mentioned many times was to donate the items to local fundraisers around the country that benefit or are related to breast cancer research or care. This is totally do-able! In fact, if anyone knows of any fundraisers, let's get some quilts donated to these events!
EXPOSURE THROUGH BEAD SOCIETIES, GROUPS, AND STORES: Yes, yes, and yes! This is a great idea and an easy, low-cost/no-cost way to gain more exposure about the project.
So once again, a HUGE thanks to everyone who took a moment to contribute their thoughts and opinions on this project. Stay tuned for info on when 2017 product will be available for purchase this summer!
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Welcome to the new Bead-It-Forward Website
Welcome to the new Bead-It-Forward website!
Bead-it-Forward received 347 squares this year! Thank you to everyone who contributed squares. Thank you to the bead stores and bead societies who collaborated with events and awesome mosaics!
NEW WEBSITE
Due to high costs of maintaining a private domain, the Bead-it-Forward.com website will be moved to a free blogger site. If you attempt to go to the site and it is not working, please go to http://beaditforward.blogspot.com. Also - for contact information please use this email: amybeadspatterns@gmail.com.
FUNDRAISING
There are still plenty of quilts available from 2016 and 2015!!! Many were sold at a quilt event last September, and some through craft shows in the past two years. In the meanwhile, Bead&Button Magazine continues to show its support for the event and has offered to auction off some quilts at this year's Bead&Button Show. As quilts and other crafted objects become assembled this year, they will be added to the Etsy site that has the quilts from previous years.
NEW IDEAS
Selling finished products has been a true challenge of this project. Many folks have offered some new ideas to help move product along and continue raising money. A survey will go out in the next two days to get feedback on some new ideas. Ideas include:
selling the squares unassembled for buyers to do what they wish with them (make jewelry or decorate with them), donating quilts to auctions across the country that benefit breast cancer research and care, and more. Stay tuned for the survey, your opinion is important!
2018 THEME
One of the questions in the upcoming survey will be a question about the 2018 theme. Many people have suggested bringing back one of the themes from the previous years. Please share your thoughts about it in the survey!
2015 & 2016 Quilts
There are still plenty of quilts available from 2016 and 2015. Visit the Etsy shop to see what's available!
Bead-it-Forward could use some assembly help! If you are interested in helping assemble quilts, ornaments or other crafted object, please get in touch! We will mail you some quilts and supplies (along with a return envelope!) Click here to get more information.
We need more blank quilts! Do you know anyone who is a quilter? If so please see if they would be willing to donate some mini quilts!
Beaded square contributed by Donna M. See more squares by clicking here and visiting the Bead-It-Forward Facebook page.
2017 UPDATES
OVER 300 SQUARES!Bead-it-Forward received 347 squares this year! Thank you to everyone who contributed squares. Thank you to the bead stores and bead societies who collaborated with events and awesome mosaics!
NEW WEBSITE
Due to high costs of maintaining a private domain, the Bead-it-Forward.com website will be moved to a free blogger site. If you attempt to go to the site and it is not working, please go to http://beaditforward.blogspot.com. Also - for contact information please use this email: amybeadspatterns@gmail.com.
FUNDRAISING
There are still plenty of quilts available from 2016 and 2015!!! Many were sold at a quilt event last September, and some through craft shows in the past two years. In the meanwhile, Bead&Button Magazine continues to show its support for the event and has offered to auction off some quilts at this year's Bead&Button Show. As quilts and other crafted objects become assembled this year, they will be added to the Etsy site that has the quilts from previous years.
NEW IDEAS
Selling finished products has been a true challenge of this project. Many folks have offered some new ideas to help move product along and continue raising money. A survey will go out in the next two days to get feedback on some new ideas. Ideas include:
selling the squares unassembled for buyers to do what they wish with them (make jewelry or decorate with them), donating quilts to auctions across the country that benefit breast cancer research and care, and more. Stay tuned for the survey, your opinion is important!
2018 THEME
One of the questions in the upcoming survey will be a question about the 2018 theme. Many people have suggested bringing back one of the themes from the previous years. Please share your thoughts about it in the survey!
2015 & 2016 Quilts
There are still plenty of quilts available from 2016 and 2015. Visit the Etsy shop to see what's available!
VOLUNTEERS
Bead-it-Forward could use some assembly help! If you are interested in helping assemble quilts, ornaments or other crafted object, please get in touch! We will mail you some quilts and supplies (along with a return envelope!) Click here to get more information.
SUPPLIES
We need more blank quilts! Do you know anyone who is a quilter? If so please see if they would be willing to donate some mini quilts!
Beaded square contributed by Donna M. See more squares by clicking here and visiting the Bead-It-Forward Facebook page.
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