teach heal bless
The Blue Bead is a 501c3 whose mission is to use art, storytelling, music and more to teach, to heal and to bless. For more than a decade our community has been using its creative talents to make a positive difference in this world. We believe that great change is possible and it is the dreamers, the artists and the storytellers who are the ones to make that happen.
Past
Present
Future
In 2006, Kate and Ted first collaborated on the creation of an eight foot wide ‘weaving loom’ to benefit ‘The Red Thread Project’ and ‘Gilda’s House’ both national movements that brought about awareness for cancer patients and survivors. At that time we realized awareness was brought about more easily if ‘art’ could capture the imagination.
Weaving the world’s largest knitted cap was a way to unite those who wore one as allies to those who were losing their hair from chemotherapy. That one project drew attention, caused controversy, conversations and delight. It also attracted media attention, and brought together people who helped to weave the hat on that giant loom to tell their individual stories. The blessing was found not just in funds raised but it included what was being taught in human scale and the blessings went beyond that one cause. So many hats were made by people that it went on to bless the homeless, preemies in the ICU and raised money for the two causes that had united under this one giant knitted cap. In that year, that project and others like it caused the Michigan Retailers Association to give Kate the ‘Michigan Small Business Retailer of the Year Award’. The first of many accolades that convinced us that art was what we wanted to do and be. (see more)
This year we have had the good fortune of reaching a wide and diverse population as we continue our mission.
We have been featured at the largest magical gathering, the largest on-line spiritual gathering, the largest and longest-running steam-punk gathering, Michigan's famous music festival and more.
We have donated hundreds of pounds of food to individuals and food banks, organized neighborhood clean-ups, donated hundreds of plants to encourage pride of place in poverty stricken neighborhoods. We've tackled subjects like racism and slavery through story-telling and even recipes.
And as we look toward next year we will continue to post updates of our work with neighborhood associations, the city and others to bring awareness and positive change through art.
Welcome to Our House! Our literal home base will be turned into a command center for all things Blue Bead. We will be blending our on-line and in person events to continue to reach as many people as possible.
As much of what we do has so much background material, details, fascinating backstories and connections, we will continue to compile it all to create a community for people who want to know more, heal more and bless more. This will be available on the Patreon Platform.
All this, while we grow the organization in the most transparent, ethical, moral and artistically free model of a non-profit we can imagine. We hope you will join us.
