Care to Knit: Marian Leib

   My name is Marian Leib. I'm a wife, and a mother of 2 children. I live on Long Island NY. I received the care to knit bracelet from Ines Glick. I help Ines with sorting the items that are donated, and I also make items for many of the different causes that we help. I have tried beading, but sewing and crocheting are the crafts I enjoy most. I learned to sew from my mom, and to crochet from my neighbor when I was 13 years old. I've been crocheting for a long time. I find so much joy in creating items that go to children and adults in need. That is how I started helping with Care to Knit.

       I was honored to be part of the amazing bracelet journey. I was so impressed by the workmanship. It is a beautiful piece of art. It was fun wearing the bracelet. I received so many compliments. The bracelet did remind me to stay positive in my thoughts.

Ganesha: Eda Long

I think Ganesha is working wonders in his travels! This is a wonderful post by Eda!

Thank you for the incredible gift you are!  Yonnie Reynolds gave me the Ganesha  Traveling Bracelet on March 28 while here visiting.  She knew that I was going thru a lot of upheaval and change and that I was scheduled for cataract surgeries May 1st and May 15th.  I was ok on the surface of my life and incredible stressed within.  I live alone with two cats,  I had just lost my 12 year old  "Lady Katie "Deva  Kitty in late January and I was then planning to take off 6 weeks to do the two surgeries.  6 weeks may seem excessive to some, however,  I have done massage for the last 30 years.  My doctor was adamant that I was not to carry, lug, push or shove my table or kayak for a month after each eye. 

The moment I saw the bracelet I lit up!  Wow, such exquisite workmanship.  Then I put it on and sighed.  Wow, it radiates so much love and peace.  I  had thought to release the bracelet to the next person as soon as I had the second surgery...last week.  But as I have had a dear friend here staying with me and helping me and not been on computer much in 3 weeks,  I dropped the ball and am just now getting better caught up.  I am joyous to send it on and so grateful to have worn it for so long.  I noticed on the roster in the back of the book that it has been one that has been held and kept a lot in it's short journey. 

So here is my story!

Yonnie was just back from Bali and filled with the love and energy of that magical Island.  I have been able to go with her to Bali twice in the past for a month each time.  I have "soul family" in Bali now.  My love of Bali and the people is vast.  I yearn to return and visit and be with them again.  Because of all the situations that have occurred in my life in the last year, I was unable to go this time, although I had really thought that I would.  That she brought this particular bracelet to me touched me to the core.  I love Ganesha,  I had just hung a wonderful Ganesha mask I bought from a carver there in Bali my last visit.  It was to go as a gift to a friend, but that friend wasn't much interested in it and so I had stored it.  Just before Yonnie visited, I hung Ganesha in my bedroom to watch over me, to deepened and uplift me and my meditations and to direct my thoughts to higher planes.  I had thought about how his little mouse friend helps us overcome our anxiety and fear showing us nothing is really as heavy as it seems!

So here is this symbol from both my Hindu and Buddhist studies coming into true form to travel with me thru this time of stress, fear and worry.  I did not even know who could drive me to and from the appointments and surgeries at that time.  Yet with in a day of putting on this bracelet, all just began to come together with grace and ease.   I have cherished my blessed and sacred journey with Ganesh a I sense him holding me as a parent would a child on the arm.  How can I thank you for your great gifts to so many.  I am yearning to create something that can also travel and be as uplifting and that will hold the energies so beautifully.  You are such a great inspiration to me!

I yearn to return to Bali and have a bracelet to take to my "sister" Ketut, there to wear and share.  I have a "daughter" there too, whom I was able to help become an accupuncturist doctor in 2007.  How they would love this journey and story of your bracelets and I know that they will tell me many of their own experiences with the Lord Ganesha when I do return and tell them about it.  !  I am honored to have worn this  bracelet and to have had the great joy to feel it and fill it as well; to  sit in meditation and prayer with it on every day.

I am learning deeper levels of forgiveness and release,  I have felt the gentle and loving support of all who wore this before me imbued in this bracelet.  There are 12 people whom I know who want to wear it or who are going thru deep fear based journeys,  and would appreciate it.  I have put their names on paper and drawn among them.  I am awaiting the one I pulled to reply to me if she would want to wear it and honor it.  She has just been diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer and is scheduled for a full hysterectomy.  She lives alone and has a daughter near by,  whose only child she cares for after school.  I am hoping she will be thrilled to have it.  I have referred her to your blog and website to understand and see.

I apologize for not signing in with you.  It seem so strange to me that I did not even get to your blog until now the day I plan to release it.  I meant to and got caught up in so much that I forgot.  I would think about it when I removed the bracelet each night or early morning to sleep.  I would think tomorrow and then did not.  Normally, I am much better at doing things like that.  However,  I have spent less and less time on my computer since receiving it and more time in deep contemplation and creating art and peace, releasing so much from my home that was unneeded and ready to leave.  I have had a great fire lit within to let go and trust at deeper and deeper levels.  How can I ever thank you for that?  This bracelet seemed to me to radiate messages of support and encouragement to let go, trust, release, accept and know the power of being.  I am strong and happy, I am lighter by far and I have so much more light pouring in through the portals of my eyes as well!

While I was wearing the bracelet, it traveled to Dallas and surrounding places in Texas as I went to work with clients and friends there early April.  Then it was with me thru each surgery... in my purse.  It was blessed in nature for many hours in beautiful rural Tennesee over Mother's day as my friend and I went to visit old friends of hers who own and care for 285 acres of sacred land, undeveloped and gorgeous.  We rode all over it for hours in a Gator!  The land was filled with spirit and love and ancient power.  I was blessed there and I know the bracelet was saturated with its immense power and wisdom and too the love of those who preserve it. 

I will email you again as soon as I know to whom the bracelet is to travel next.  I am wearing it as I write this.  I will get a few photos of my wrist and bracelet to you...they are from my 66 birthday... May 8th ...the wednesday between the two surgeries!  It was a glorious and fun loving day.  The bracelet will be lovingly packed and ready to go to the post office when I finish this.  I feel emotional releasing it.  I have been deeply blessed by you and all the wonderful people before me through this bracelet.  I send it on with so much love and Light!  Thank you dear Beaded bear, with all my heart.

Infinite and abundant blessings and bliss,  Eda Long 

Tiles of Rabat: Romi Ildikó Román

I am Romi' Ildiko Roman from Hungary. I live in Dunakeszi.

Beading is for me not only a hobby, but also a real relaxation!

At first when I got the bracelet, I though "Yeah, we'll see".

Though I did find it to be amazingly beautiful, especially since it is

hand made, that makes it even more special.

I hope it gave the joy, clarity and happiness as I had. I was wearing it

during the whole week: at work, during travel, during a football match when

my youngest son played, and while shopping with my friend.

It was good to wear it. My first impression of the bracelet was that it was

created by a very talented person. I was grateful to the online beading

community in general. I've found beaders to be very supportive, sharing

and fun! And it's just as fascinating to be able to see at the click of a button

what people from all corners of the world are creating!

Thank you all!!

I do hope my positive energy will travel with the bracelet!

http://romibead.blogspot.hu/

Memories of Istanbul: José Luis

Welcome to México.

My name is José Luis and I had the privilege of having the Memories of Istanbul bracelet visit my country. I am an English teacher, a beader and I live in Monterrey, a city in northern México.

Monterrey, a vibrant and industrial metropolis with over four million people, was founded 400 years ago by Spanish colonizers.  The Museo del Palacio (Museum at the Palace) behind me holds memorabilia, pictures, maps and diverse objects that testify of our city’s history and the state where it is located.  

From México to the world.

            The good karma bracelet had a little taste of something genuinely Mexican; chocolate. It is recorded Aztec emperor Moctezuma used to drink chocolate daily and this beverage was mostly reserved for royalty of the Aztec empire. Cocoa beans and chocolate were introduced in Europe by the Spanish colonizers returning from the New World back in 1520.

Tequila, on the other hand, is Mexico’s most popular product worldwide.  It is produced by burning the core of a plant known as Blue Agave and although there are many brands of tequila, there are only three kinds of it: white, rested and aged. Cheers!

The city of the mountains.

The bracelet also had the chance to get a good view of our mountains. Monterrey was founded at the footsteps of El Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Mountain). It stands tall behind my dear friend Laura and of the seven mountains surrounding the city this one is our most recognized icon and landmark. 

Making friends.

While in Monterrey, the Memories of Istanbul bracelet also had the opportunity to mingle with other beaded designs. The Huichol community from Mexico, with its own cultural traditions, beliefs and language, is well known for its seed bead creations. Skillful crafters create pieces of jewelry with a knowledge that has been passed from one generation to the next; they have no patterns, magazines, books or workshops.

Diverse objects literally painted with colorful seed beads reflect the Huichol aesthetics and depict stories, symbols and animals that are important and meaningful to the community.

The land of the Aztecs and Mayans.

A place that celebrates Mexican culture and one of my favorite sites in the city is the Museo de Historia Mexicana (Museum of Mexican History) which can be seen to my right.  Good karma and history met as I marveled once again looking at objects, maps and recreations of great civilizations from the past that once dwelled and thrived in México.

Good karma on a very special day.

A big family event happened while the Memories of Istanbul bracelet visited México and it was actually involved in the celebration. My dear nephew Sofía got married and she graciously wore the bracelet during the ceremony.  I wish the newlyweds good karma and countless blessings on their marriage.

Custom made.

I began beading because of my Chihuahua dog Lashmi a little over three years ago. I wanted her to have different collars from the ones I found in every pet store.  Internet tutorials and later on beading magazines helped me to start my learning process.

Now my Chihuahua dog has a decent collection of sparkly custom made collars and needless to say I also make jewelry for people.  My mom gets pieces of jewelry on almost every special occasion, I’ve made designs for very dear friends and all the girls in my family want something beaded for Christmas!

At the click of a button!

The Memories of Istanbul bracelet was sent to me by Sian Nolan from Portsmouth, England and I will send it to Kate Bannister Tracton from Chapel Hill, North Carolina in the U.S.A. I met these lovely ladies through facebook and both are very dear and special to me.

I am also very grateful to the online beading community in general.  I’ve found beaders to be very supportive, sharing and fun!   And it’s just fascinating to be able to see at the click of a button what people from all corners of the world are creating! Thank you all!

*   Thank you Luis, Laura, and Julia for your help on this project!

 

Kilim: Linda Heusinkveld

The lucky Kilim bracelet is on it's way to Florida.  Wish I was going with it as SPRING is really late here in the middle of Michigan.  They don't call it the "mitten state" for no reason!!  I am still warming my driving hands on the way to work with mittens.

   Anyway,  here are 3 photos (I hope they come through as I am not very good at computers)   I am Linda Heusinkveld from Lansing, Mi. and was sick when I first received the bracelet.  But I went to a Red Hat meeting anyway and wore the RED bracelet.  That photo I have it on my arm, which,when I looked at the photo later, I thought was my grandmother's arm, which of course it wasn't.  Grandma has been in Heaven since '96 and I have become her or at least am wearing her skin now.  Honestly, I am not 'at peace' with this aging skin deal.  "Wrinkled" was not one of the things I wanted to be when I 'grew up'.  Anyway,  I explained what it was and why it was touring and some of the ladies thought it was really neat they could be part of the experience.  So one photo is with hatters and they gave permission to be in/on the blog.  The other photo was taken at our property an hour from here near Greenville, Mi.  It shows the Kilim with a real sign of spring - some tiny purple flowers brave enough to spring up.  The following weekend, they were under snow and I haven't seen them since.  The 3rd photo  is my favorite showing the deck railing and the woods and lake in the background.  That is where I recharge my batteries and gather peaceful thoughts.  It is going to be our retirement home someday, but now, we spend a night or two whenever we can and come home more relaxed. 

   My first impression of the bracelet was that it was created by a very talented person.  The beads were so tiny and the pattern so delicate.  I was in Istanbul, Turkey and saw many rugs with that sort of pattern.  I loved that it was RED, such a bold and strong color.  My cousin in IL. had sent it to me. because she knew I would enjoy participating in such a bracelet's adventure.  I am sending it to Suzanne Martin in Fla.  She is my always friend, but sometimes lives up north here and sometimes (winter) in Florida.  She has lots of friends too so I knew she could move the Kilim along it's destined path.  

Tiles of Rabat: Enikő Fabian

Hi, I'm Enikő!

I am of hungarian origin, but living since 4 and a ½ years in the second largest city of Austria, in Graz.

Since my childhood i always had some hobbies like embroidery, knitting, crotcheting but indeed meeting with the world of beadings changed my life !

When firstly i have seen some jewels made of beads on internet, i at once knew – this is what i want to be engadged with.

Beading is for me not only a hobby, but also a real relaxation !

 I have read about "the travelling” bracelet firstly at Ilka’s blog and immediately it captivated me.

During long time I have been very pessimistic and maybe therefore I have got lots of setbacks, but I do not know where, I have read that the positive thinking helps a lot !

Of course at the beginning it was not very easy to believe in it, but by now I am an optimist !

That’s why i took the liking for the "travelling bracelet” and presented me at Ilka in order that i should be the next one.

I do hope my positive energy will travel together with the bracelet.

 A few more infos about our city: this is the second largest in Austria and also the second most important university town. Since 1999 the oldtown and the castlehill of the city belong to the world heritage of the UNESCO.

In frame of the "cultural capital of Europe 2003” Graz was able to build an island on the river Mur and in the year of 2011 Graz has won the prize of "City of Design”.

From the heights of Schlossberg open the nicest view on the red roofs of the city.

The clocktower is the symbol of the city, tree bells are ringing in the tower: the clock-soul-and fire bells, its speciallity are the huge numerals and the revers hands. 

Creators of „the House of Arts” are Peter Cook and Colin Fournier. They called their house "Friendly Alien”, which is the symbol of the harmonic coexistence of the new Graz. 

Enjoy the day!

Perl-Eni

Fiesta: Patricia Chenoweth

Ok, so at first when I got the Fiesta bracelet I thought, "yea, we'll see".

Though I did find it to be amazingly beautiful, especially since it is hand made, that makes it even more special.

I wore it off and on and then I just got really busy and forgot all about it.

I have had it much longer than I really should have. Almost two weeks ago I wore it again, and I kept telling myself to stay positive and the next day we FINALLY sold a vehicle we had been trying to sell for quite a while. It was stressing me out, I was crabby and wanted to cry all the time. We really needed the help financially. So it was a HUGE relief to finally sell it and use the money for some bills and to ease our minds  bit.  Money can't buy happiness but we do feel a sense of relief.

Was it the bracelet?

Who knows, but I am never opposed to the powers of positivity.