Artist statement: I am so honored to be asked to create a bead to represent 20 years of this amazing program. I found Beads of Courage in early 2004 as I was learning how to make beads. I was looking for something to do with all the beads I was making and the program spoke to my younger mother's heart. Over the years I have watched my kids grow and the program expand into what it is today. Seeing my kids grow up and my work mature and develop has been pretty cool. I have always loved flowers and being an avid gardener I find that flowers have proliferated in my beads as well. I love to pack tiny detail in my beads and have the observer turn them around in their hand. I hope that those who receive a bead can escape for a few minutes and imagine playing in their gardeners. Flowers are never in competition with anyone, they are always just reaching for the sun and trying to be their most beautiful self. Whenever I'm feeling down or need time to think or be inspired, I just take a few minutes and walk through my different flower gardens, it has taken me 5-6 years to cultivate my gardens to have flowers in bloom from early April through the end of October, I can simply walk out into my gardens and create a beautiful bouquet of flowers, or I can go to my studio and create that same bouquet on a glass bead.
Happy anniversary, Beads of Courage.
Beads of Courage has given me many opportunities and adventures for my beads that never would have been possible other wise. I had many beads on the Iditarod race and even “Won” 2 years. I had beads go into space on both STS-132, and STS-134. I was inducted into the 2013 Hall of Fame and have done many tutorials for beads that can best benefit the children in the program. I have been able to attend many BOC Events and was even at the launch of the program at Hershey medical center. I have gotten to meet many families and even had a few reach out to ask if I have made certain bead they have collected on their medical journey. Being a tiny part of this program is so special to me as I see the joy it brings kids and how much those kids look forward to the bead pharmacy visit. If something I can create can help make a child’s stay in the hospital or treatment center less stressful then I will continue to make beads for the next 20 years. If something I can make helps a child and their family show a tangible record of their incredible journey then I will make beads for the program for another 20 years. Beads have such power, art has so much to offer in both the creating and healing journeys.
Artist Bio: Kris Schaible is a stay at home mama, to her 3 kids (now 19,17,16.). Kris was able to have lots of studio time and with her kids by her side she was able to teach them what being creative was all about and using your craft to help others. She is most proud that they share the BOC story and tell others about the program. She has been making beads since 2004 when her son was born a few weeks earlier than expected. Leaving the aviation business she helped her husband with, left her looking for something to do with her time while her son slept. She made her first beads sitting at a kitchen table on a plumbers torch with a small handful of glass she had bought from a local supply business. She had some printed pages from the internet on “how to make beads” and within a matter of days was truly was hooked, in searching for information she found BOC and can recall being so inspired by Jean and how she was trying to help the children and family’s have a voice and record of their medical journey.
Flowers and being outdoors has always been a place of quite reflection and inspiration to Kris. She has seen this inspiration come out in many areas of her work with metal smith, engraving, painting and especially in her glass work. She is known for her highly detailed, multi-layered beads. Having had beads on the Iditarod and Beads in Space twice is one of the highlights in her career. She finds the most reward when she is asked to create very special beads for the program, such as the summer Watermelon bead for “carry-a-bead” program and especially this 20th year commemorative bead. She hopes that you can take time to reflect on your journey to reach for the sun and take a few quite moments to look for the beauty that is all around you.