Bead-It-Forward 2018

As many of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Started in 1985, this annual campaign was developed as a way to raise awareness about the disease that affects 1 out of 8 women in the U.S. In addition to raising awareness, October has become a dedicated time to raise money for organizations involved in research and finding a cure.

For several years, Bead&Button magazine has been supporting the Bead-It-Forward project, an initiative started in 2005 by Alaska beader Jeanette Shanigan. Bead-It-Forward provides a way for beaders all over the world to be part of the solution by helping create bead quilts that are auctioned or sold — all funds generated are donated to an organization involved in breast cancer research.

Every year, a theme is selected for the bead quilts, and the theme for this coming year (2018) is “Butterflies.”  

Below are five ways you can participate.

Design patterns

Several patterns are already available, so check them out and then consider coming up with some of your own.

Create and submit bead squares

They’re fun to make, and it’s great to know that your handiwork is going to a good cause. You can find all the guidelines here for submitting squares.

Help assemble items for sale

If you live in the Massachsetts area, you may be able to hook up with program administrator Amy Severino and other beaders in the area to assemble quilts, wall hangings, and more. Contact her here.

Donate supplies or make a monetary donation

Contact Amy to find out more.

Purchase finished pieces!

Follow Bead-It-Forward on Facebook to find out when and how items will be sold. Remember, If the items don’t sell, no funds are raised!

Please consider participating in this exceptional program one way or another. And be sure to tell your friends and family about it, too. With so many of us affected by this widespread cancer, we need to remain vigilant about finding solutions.