ArtFire

"Life's Box of Chocolates"

"Life is like a box of chocolates... You never know what you're gonna get."
~ Tom Hanks (as Forrest Gump)


This is so true. You just never know. And the fact is right now, with the economy in such bad shape, there are millions of people around the world unexpectedly tumbling into poverty... somewhere they never thought they'd be. Today, October 17th, is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and it's the cause for which this piece was made.

A box of chocolates may seem to be an odd theme and, I admit, it came about in a strange way. Every month, unless I've gotten a special request, there's a process I follow to select the cause and charity for the following month. I selected the Eradication of Poverty and as I continued my process, I noticed that October 28th is National Chocolates Day. The Forrest Gump quote popped into my head. I thought about the kinds of things so many families are struggling with right now. Then I remembered the set of chocolate squares beads I had and the inspiration flowed from there... you just never know where inspiration and ideas will come from. Sometimes it's the oddest combinations. So many people in the world today can't afford the bare necessities. I wish everyone in the world could have everything they need and at least enough left over to enjoy a box of chocolates.

These look-good-enough-to-eat chocolates are lampwork glass beads handmade by Jayne at Badger Beads Lampwork in Wisconsin. I selected crystal colors to represent the various fillings you'd find in a box of chocolates... chocolate, caramel, strawberry cream, orange cream, lemon cream, mint, coconut and marshmallow. The crystals dangle between the chocolate pieces from a wavy sterling silver tube bead and a Bali silver barrel floating along it so there's alot of movement to this piece. The toggle clasp is a beautiful Bali silver rectangle with a swirled pattern coordinating nicely with the rest of the bracelet. The components come together to bring you an everlasting box of chocolates... with no calories! So, what's your favorite?


As I said earlier October 17th is the International Day for the Eradicaton of Poverty and I believe charity begins at home. Catholic Charities USA works to reduce poverty in America so I've selected them to receive the donation from this piece. Their members support local Catholic Charities as they provide help and create hope for over 9 million people each year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. They support local agencies by advocating federal policymakers on their poverty reduction agenda and promoting the work of local Catholic Charities to the media and general public. They provide networking opportunities and serve as the national voice maintaining contact with other Catholic Charities movements around the world. They provide training, financial support and leadership to local agencies and have been chosen to represent the Catholic community in times of domestic disaster.


To find out more about Catholic Charities USA or to make a donation on your own, go to www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.

To purchase this bracelet and raise money for this charity, click on this link to my ArtFire Studio to purchase it from there or contact me if you wish to make other arrangements. Remember...all Designs by Debi™ Charity Pieces are one-of-a-kind pieces...if you like this bracelet, don't wait...there will never be another one...once it's gone, it's gone forever...

The bracelet measures 8 3/4 inches long and will best fit a 6 1/4 (very loosely) to 7 inch wrist. If you need it re-sized, please let me know at time of purchase and this can be done prior to shipment at no additional charge.

$162.00

Thank you!!


Note: If you are looking for a traditional style sterling silver and crystal Awareness Bracelet, they are available for custom order in my studio. Look in the Awareness Bracelets category. All colors are available.

To find out more about my Jewelry for Charity Program, visit my website www.designs-by-debi.com/jewelry-for-charity.html.

handmade lampwork glass, Bali silver and Swarovski crystal bicones