January Newsletter-Special Edition “Bottles of Hope” Challenge UpdateBy Lisa PavelkaAn overwhelming response was received in the short deadline period open for the submittal of entries for the upcoming Bottles of Hope Challenge. 80 bottles were received in a little under a month from artists and designers from around the country, and one from Australia. Bottles range in size and shape, from the whimsical to the artistic. In coordinating the challenge, I received many e-mails with questions, but more importantly, many of you shared moving stories about how cancer has touched your lives. Some have shared tales of their personal battle with cancer now or in the past. Others have told the stories of loved ones who have suffered or lost their battles with this insidious disease that comes in so many forms. Most gratifying for all of us at Amaco is how important this challenge was to so many of you and what it symbolizes. Although each submission was accompanied by an entry form asking for a brief explanation of the inspiration behind each bottle, many artists submitted detailed and poignant stories of their experience with cancer. We are looking forward to the debut of the 25 finalists which will be on display throughout the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) show in Anaheim, California January 28th – 31, 2007. Bottles of Hope The winners will be announced at our gala reception at the Amaco booth #3735 from 11:00am – 12:00pm. Today's Creative Home Arts editor Julie Stephani will announce the winners. If you are attending the show, we invite you to join us for refreshments and the ceremony which will no doubt be the most emotional Designer Challenge award ceremony to date. I for one will be wearing waterproof mascara. Visit the Designer E-Newsletter site often, which is accessible via amaco.com, (on the Home Page, select the ”e-newsletters and Special Events”) for updates and photos of the winning bottles and finalists, for information on more design challenges and editorial opportunities.Special Events      “Bottles of Hope” was started in 1999 by cancer survivor Diane Gregoire as a way to bring hope and cheer to others afflicted with cancer. Being a polymer clay artist, Diane covered empty medication bottles that were being disposed of during her Chemotherapy treatments, with her own polymer designs. The decorated bottles she returned to nurses were gifted to other cancer patients. They were so well received that she began a program in which cancer patients could create their own bottles. Numerous polymer clay guilds throughout the country have started their own “Bottles of Hope” programs. Some are also active in fund raising for cancer research and treatment with their programs. AMACO® thanks the following artists for sharing their stories, their inspiration and their bottles for gifting to Camp Rainbow in Babler, MO, a leadership and summer camp for children and teens with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Deborah Hutchison Sandee Haven Janis Frost Kathy Wegner Nancy Petteway Barbara Forbes-Lyons Melody Hope Stein Michelle Herren Suzanne Ivester Scott Mizevitz Alicia Baker Kathy Davis Trina Williams Jane Sally Victoria James Eva Walper Judy Dunn Francisco Vallin Lisa Brady Ellie Hitchcock Judi Weers Linda Hess Dotty McMillan Helen Bradley Michelle Zimmerman Christy Minnis Laura Griffin Julie Mager Allison Bolm Mags Bonham Deborah Anderson Marilyn Davenport Nina Owens Kaela Dunn Anne Igou Karen Mitchell Jen Lowe Marie Segal In support of Bottles of Hope, AMACO® is making a contribution to the American Cancer Society in the name of each artist listed above, as well as, in the name of each retailer that drops off a business card.  “I remember the times I would visit my friend and we talked, over endless cups of tea and coffee, about the hopes and dreams [her son] had. The hands, hearts and flowers are symbolic of [him] during his struggle and the hope he instilled in everyone"-Janis Frost “Because of my experience, “hope to me means having faith, living a life of love, plus prevention through regular exams and medical research for the future"-Kathy Wegner  “Breast cancer can tear lives apart. It is possible to repair the tears, but the cancer will always be part of who and what you are. What is important is to keep the spark alive inside you.”-Barbara Forbes-Lyons“…we need the support of our friends. I have been privileged to be in the company of women with the challenge of cancer. They are an inspiration to me. Art has a way of connecting friends—and a source of healing for all of us. Creativity brings us the gift of expression—something to be shared with others.”-Kathy Davis “These bottles are small in size but so big in every other way…. Cancer touches everyone. Age is no barrier. I’m tired of being touched by it. Hope Bottles helped me touch back in a good way.”-Michelle Zimmerman “I am a warrior, having just had my third surgery for recurrent Ovarian cancer, and will be starting more chemo next week. The creating and sharing of Bottles of Hope have extended my life, I believe.”-Susan Clement  “Being with someone who is terminally ill has shown me that hope can change and grow. At times, it can seem dismal, but there are moments of inspiring courage.”-Anne IgouAbout a close friend, “when I feel weary or stressed… I think of her. What an inspiration. She has been through so much. Such a strong woman! And for some reason, I think this is ‘just another day’ in her life. I feel certain that she will survive this battle. But I want her to have a bottle of hope. I want her to blow a wish. And I want her cancer to go away.”-Jen Lowe In honor of her sister-in-law who lost her battle to cancer, Marie Segal sent in a poem by Dan Richardson. Cancer is so limited… It cannot cripple love It cannot shatter hope It cannot corrode faith It cannot eat away peace It cannot destroy confidence It cannot kill friendship It cannot shut out memories It cannot silence courage It cannot invade the soul It cannot reduce eternal life It cannot quench the spirit It cannot lessen the power … of the resurrection.  If you know of someone who’d like to receive the Amaco Designer Newsletter, please forward their name and e-mail to: TCrouch@amaco.com American Art Clay Co Inc. 6060 Guion Road Indianapolis IN 46254 f you have any queries please do not hesitate to call us at: (317) 244-6871 or e-mail us at Talktous@Amaco.com
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