Exciting Things Afoot

I've added a new necklace to my collection. It is in honor of my friend Lance, who is living with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease). The ALS division of the Muscular Dystrophy Association gives so much support to people with ALS that Lance asked me to help him give back. We are donating $10 of every Dancin' Lance pendant to the MDA/ALS Division. In fact Lance, Bree, and I will be on the Labor Day telethon on Monday (ack! tv!) to talk about the necklace. Quite exciting, indeed. click to see it on Etsy!



I am also preparing to go back into the booth sitting business. I thought that when I said farewell to art shows and farmer's market, that I had spent my last long hot day in a booth, but on September 12th I'll be back (baby). My cute husband will be participating in a marathon relay which benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I asked if I could set up a random table and sell Love to Breathe pendants... but I was informed that there will be a whole expo, and they offered me a booth space for free! I'm quite busy preparing for the event, and I hope to see a big response from the runners and their friends. Beat the rush, buy one here.

And finally... I picked a new charity for my mommy jewelry proceeds. Friends of Maddie provides support for parents with children in the NICU. Heather keeps an amazing blog about her daughter Madeline, who lived a short but beautiful life. Caution, don't read this blog without lots of tissues handy. I was wrapped up in it last night, and it was all I could do to not wake Rosie up for a hug, and to reassure myself that she was still happy and healthy.

I made this necklace for Heather B. Armstrong (different Heather, different blogger...), crossed my fingers that she wouldn't think I was stalking her, and dropped it in the mail. She (or possibly her assistant) recently sent me a post card to say thanks! Followers of Dooce, keep your eyes peeled for a hint of silver around her neck. (I hope, I hope, I hope!).

Good Intentions

I have a basket in the corner of my living room that's overflowing with good intentions. Or rather it's overflowing with Newsweeks (which I used to devour and wait impatiently for the next to arrive, but no longer have the time or energy to read), National Geographic (which I feel I should read so I will be a better person), and Self (which my sister feels I should read so I can get my slammin' pre-mommy bod back).

Last night I found myself in the tub decompressing from a horrifying personal episode, which is definitely not blog-worthy, for fear of being that person who shares way too much (it might already be too late for that however). I had brought a 3 month old Newsweek along with me and discovered an article which is rather pertinent to my life. The article, "Charity: The Psychology of Giving" can be found here: http://www.newsweek.com/id/187010.

It is about the bystander effect— the idea that "if I hear someone calling for help, and I am the only one around, I am more likely to help than if there is someone else with me who also hears the call but does nothing." We all know there are people and causes that need help, but since my neighbor doesn't donate time or money, I don't need to worry about it either. Besides, the problems are too big. What good would my $10 do anyway?

Almost a year ago I decided that it was time for me to try and do something. That's when I teamed up with my friend Somer to make the Love to Breathe pendants. I donate 100% of my profits to research Cystic Fibrosis, a life-threatening lung disease. Since then I have been so honored to play a small role in the lives of so many people. They send me stories about loved ones they have lost, or friends and family members who are still fighting to breathe a little easier. People wear my jewelry in tribute and in solidarity. I hope that when they wear one of my pendants, they might inspire their neighbors to no longer be a bystander.

http://lissabird.etsy.com