Beads for Seniors

2009-06-27T20:30:00.002-05:00

I know I'm doing a horrible job keeping up, but exciting news. Apparently people from other departments that work with the residents have been admiring the jewelry they are making for some time some have even said that they would like to buy some if any of the residents would like to sell I don't think that any sales have been made but it is just a nice feel good that their work is liked so much

We're still here really

2009-06-04T22:08:00.002-05:00

The beading is still going strong, in fact we have several residents who would be perfectly happy doing it at least once a week but we can't fit it in. sorry no new photos I forgot my camera and then I couldn't help at the next two sessions because of work conflicts we did have some family members come in and help with it though, that was great I wish we could encourge them to come more often the residents who come really love it. We have two sessions coming up in June and I will get photos this time. I promise.

This is the last of the old- I promise

2009-04-05T16:11:00.004-05:00

Finally I got caught up- Really These are from mid March again.

The colors and pattern in this necklace are so pretty

I like the non traditional color combo here.

Red white and blue whoohoo

Another bracelet made with the help of family turned out nicely

This on was also helped out with family, it was so great to have them come in the whole table had a great talk.

The end is almost near

2009-04-05T16:02:00.004-05:00

At this session in mid March we had several visitors helping residents, some family came in to play. I hope that they will come in again at other sessions.

This one was made as a gift with the help of family for a family member, Everyone involved had a great time.

Simple contrast of silver and pearls.

Oh it's green again, something we hope to see again, we just got a snow storm on the same day as tornado watches!!

More tiger's eye this time with gold it looks very nice.

Green for good luck, it's always popular around here.

We're getting there, really

2009-04-05T15:44:00.005-05:00

These are from early March

The blues and silver look so classy together here, don't they?

Obsidian always makes such a statement

Purple it just looks so nice together

I look this combination of tigers eye and silver it looks great.

It's another candy necklace, it wouldn't stop me from wearing it though.

Still Catching Up

2009-04-05T15:32:00.004-05:00

Here are some more projects from February we had a lot of completed projects that session.

Party Time!!!!!!! Maybe Mardi Gras next year?
So sparkly, they're so pretty in the light, I really like the accent of the darker beads in between.

I have to admit I kind of wish this was mine, I just love it.

I think that this may have been a late Valentine's Day project. I love the colors

Aren't those flower beads pretty they go so nicely with the pearls.

More catching Up

2009-04-05T15:22:00.004-05:00

Okay these are from the end of February I think that we had a bit of a St. Patty's Day theme going on there are several green bracelets.

All the pretty blues go so nicely together it this one

Oh the greens this is the first one for St. Patrick's Day, I think it will keep away pincher's.

This one turned out very nicely, simple but it'll do the job, right?

I love the different blues and style of beads in this one.

Oh the elegance of black and silver they go with almost anything.

Let's see about catching up

2009-04-05T15:10:00.003-05:00

Okay let's see if I can get things up to date on projects before our next day, since that's Tuesday I'd better hurry. These pieces were made in Mid February.

There were several residents that really liked the contrast of the green stones and gold beads.

Oops I guess this one is upside down, the garnet colors and pearls really go nicely.

I think that this one is upside down as well the contrast of green and the green and red beads is really nice.

This looks like it might be nice to eat, candy colors!

We had to help find just the right colors for this one but it turned out great.

Funny Conversation

2009-03-29T20:21:00.003-05:00

Yes I am still posting, I'm just really behind on things I will have a bunch of new photos up within the next week. I just wanted to relate a conversation that I had with a resident.

Resident: Dorlissa, I don't think you're going to like me.
Me: Why
Resident: I have a bottle of shells that I would like to make into a necklace, but they're really tiny.
Me: Well when do you want to string them.

Well we started work on it but it's going to take at least one more session because they don't have holes in them already, but it's coming along well, I will post a pic when done.

And more pictures

2009-02-13T12:44:00.002-06:00

Very pretty garnet and glass pearl necklace

This is the necklace that took three sessions to make, but it was worth it.

Red and silver and white on my, and early Valentine's Day piece.

I like the greens and blacks in this necklace

The pink and green in this match so well.

The Pitcures

2009-02-13T12:28:00.004-06:00

Okay here are pictures of projects from a month ago.

I really like the combo of silver and pink beads in this one.
We actually had to restring this one we used too thin of elastic cord.

It looks like candy, I wouldn't mind eating it, would you?

Snowflake obsidian looks great in combination with the other beads, unfortunately the beads, photographed a little on the dark side.

Simple yet classy, just the way I like it.

I'm Very Late

2009-02-13T12:19:00.003-06:00

Okay I admit it, I'm not hte best blogger the world I've been running several weeks behind in my posts. But I do have some fun things to blog about.

About a month ago we had several new residents/first time beaders praticipate we had a lot of fun one of the new participates was just delighted to see all the beads and look and them she thought they were so pretty. That was her only time beading with us because shortly after she got to go back home, but I'm so glad we could brighten her time and get her a souvenier.

On the same day two of the residents decided to collaborate on a project, one lady picked the colors, the other strung the beads and they both worked on the pattern. They really enjoyed it and I think that they might do that more in the future.

We also had one residnet who was determined to finish her necklace that day. She had been working on it hte last two beading sessions, but had also been helping others pick out beads and ideas and would run out of time to work on her own project. We got it done and it looks great.

Now for the pictures

More from Christmas

2009-01-10T16:18:00.003-06:00

Okay just one more but a very cool one using silver beads and ones called confetti beads.

It's the New Year Time for new projects

2009-01-10T16:04:00.003-06:00

Okay I'm a little behind, these were actually made just before Christmas, I believe that several became gifts, but with the holidays I'm just now having the chance to post them.

I've dicovered that several residents really like the way that the brightly colored plastic beads look, I think that they may also like the lighter weight to them. This one is mostly made of plpastic beads but without feeling it I couldn't tell. Something to keep in mind if you ever design for seniors.

This one makes me think of a candy necklace and I just want to eat it.

The earthy tones with just a splash of color really pops here.

I really like the combination of types of beads here.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-29T11:35:00.001-06:00

Just a slightly late wish for happy holidays and a good new year. More pictures are coming soon. And the residents can't wait to get started again in the new year.

That's All (for now)

2008-12-10T16:42:00.002-06:00

I think these are both for the kids, I know they'll like them.

Even more

2008-12-10T16:35:00.002-06:00

At this project day several residents decided to make bracelets to donate to kids as well as to keep themselves

I think she might like fish.

Some child will be happy

Do you think this cat might want that fish?

Very lovely purple

Still more pictures

2008-12-10T16:23:00.003-06:00

These are from our beading day yesterday, lots of preparation for Christmas

Blue and Silver always classic, especially for the holidays

Confetti beads are always fun

Earth tones are nice

This one is going to be a gift for a young relative, I think she'll really like it.

Word of Caution

2008-12-10T16:18:00.002-06:00

Yesterday at our last project day the activity assistant realized something. Several of the residents who participate in teh beading love to wear all or most of their bracelets at the same time the problem that occured to her is that even though we size them loose that much weight could cause curculation problems in their arms, she has since brought her concerns to their attention and they have agreed it's a better idea to wear only a few. I thought it might be a good reminder to think about when working on these type of things.

More Projects

2008-12-10T16:13:00.003-06:00

Some more pictures from the last batch

I love the green in this one, of course it is my favorite color.

It looks like candy!!!

This has a nice crystaline look to it that good great with anything.

Projects

2008-12-10T16:01:00.002-06:00

Okay these are from a couple wees ago, I'm sorry some are fuzzy I forgot my camera settings

This one's kind of hard to see but it's in dark purple/blue beads.

I like the contrast of the red and gold bead to the blue ones.

Lots and lots of flowers, perfect for winter, we're just getting snow here.

I love the porelian beads in this one, and so did the resident.

Ooops it's been awhile

2008-12-10T15:04:00.002-06:00

Sorry it's been awhile since I've added new photos I had some compouter problems and I'm just now being able to get new pictures up. We've had two project days since the last time I posted so there are alot. Also I need to say thanks to Patricia S. for the great beads, they got here just before our last project day.

Okay here's the article

2008-11-27T19:42:00.007-06:00

Okay I finally got hte article scanned and editted, I had to try and blur out the resident's face because I do not have permission to put his name or photo on this site.

Double click to see it larger to read

Big Thanks

2008-11-23T19:25:00.003-06:00

I just want to say a big thank you to Madonna J. they can't wait to work with the new goodies, thankfully it's just until Tuesday.

Even More from the last time

2008-11-23T18:18:00.005-06:00

I'm sorry I got busy with work and haven't had time to post more picts from the last session so here they are.

A nice necklace one of the gentleman made, I don't know what he plans on doing with I but I like it.

A nice Christmas theme here.

Simple here, I like the pearl accents

I like this set it's a little hard to see but it uses crackle type beads.

Another Christmas theme here, or maybe Valentine's Day.

I just love the color combo in this one.

Pastels are so nice to work with.

It looks like butterflies and cocoons I love it.

Even More Jewelry

2008-11-16T18:23:00.004-06:00

We've had another successful day beading and even added another gentleman to our group, it's always fun to see them come. so here's the pictures.

One the residents getting his design made.

Very Pretty Reds.

I will post more pictures later when I have the chance

Okay, they really like it

2008-11-07T16:52:00.002-06:00

I've decided that their is no question the residents and activity staff love what we are doing, they ambushed me with a local newspaper reporter on what we have been up too. They wanted me to get community recognition. That is nice and even greater if the other local nursing home also starts doing it. It's kind of funny because we've got the physical therapists firmly behind us they love what we do. I will scan in a copy of the article, but I have to blur part of the photo first.

Another Successful Project Day

2008-10-17T18:36:00.002-05:00

Well things are going great, we have a regular group of 8-10 women beading and have now added 2 men as regulars to our party. Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera with me this time so I don't have pictures yet. I am happy to say that everyone continues to have a great time.

Suggestions for helping seniors bead

2008-10-09T18:13:00.003-05:00

It recently occurred to me that people might find it helpful if I gave suggestions and tips on what I have learned while doing this with the residents for anyone who might like to try something similar.
1. Be patient: Some seniors may be hesitant to try it at first but let them know you will help if they need it and encourage them to watch others.
2. Magnifying glasses can make it much easier for some seniors with poor vision to string beads by themselves if they want to.
3. Make sure to let them know you will help string I they want it.
4. Card stock bead boards are cheap and easy to use for designing bracelets.
5. They often like to talk about what they are making, who they are making it for, or things they have done like it in the past. It's a great time to learn things.
6. Have Fun.

I definitely encourage teens and young adults to get involved in this type of thing the experience is wonderful for everyone.

Okay I think this is it for now

2008-10-09T18:07:00.003-05:00

We had a lot of residents wanting to try beading, the regulars are telling others and really getting them interested, almost everyone who came finished a project, although there was a couple residents who just enjoyed looking and helping others find beads. This is a picture of that last finished project for now.

Simple and elegant Silver and turquoise

Even more new jewelry

2008-10-09T17:58:00.004-05:00

Here are some more of the bracelets that they made.

I think that they amber beads go nicely with the fish.

This resident is working on a gift for her daughter-in-law for Christmas, I think that she will love it.

I love the enameled beads that she worked into this bracelet it's so bright and eye catching.

Planning out a design

And putting it together

More Jewelry

2008-10-09T17:44:00.003-05:00

We just had our next beading day and it was a blast things got off to a quick start because I was able to spend some time several days earlier sorting the beads by colors to make it easier to start a design. Here are some to the great results this time.

Would you believe the two ladies who made these didn't even sit by each other?

One of the men made this lovely bracelet for his wife, she loves it.

Simple and elegant, I love the pearls mixed in.

This is the finished product of a necklace she started last time, it turned out beautifully.

Thanks

2008-10-01T19:34:00.002-05:00

Just needed to out in a thanks to Monica P. we got the package and it is wonderful thank you so much.

Evolution of projects

2008-10-01T19:30:00.002-05:00

Something that I noticed on our last craft day was that now that they are used to things and know what they are doing more of the residents were willing to try stringing their designs themselves. It was great to see that as they build confidence in what they are learning and doing. Only a couple more days until we do it again, darn scheduling.

The results are in

2008-09-24T20:14:00.004-05:00

Not all of the residents finished a project this time, we got started kind of slow- that was my next step the next day- organize them in a limited fashion, just enough to be able to have a better idea of what there is. But here are a few pictures of ones that were, it's so hard to stop helping and talking with them to take pictures, I keep forgetting.

A very simple , pretty one with amber glass beads and some imitation pearls, I don't remember what the rest was.

This is a great work in progress, she is planning on making it necklace length, the butterfly charms are colorfully glazed on the front. I will update when she finishes it.

This resident has gotten many compliments on this, everyone really loves the eagle claw charm she found in the gifted beads.

It finally got here

2008-09-24T19:46:00.004-05:00

We've been waiting and waiting and our next craft day finally arrived. I think we spent a half hour just admiring the new beads, I don't know about the residents but I found it a little overwhelming there was so much. They were all so grateful and amazed and almost immediately they were giving each other design ideas on what who should make what and with which beads. Here's some photos of them working.

She's already off to a good start stringing her necklace

Oh my, all the beads to choose from, but we're off to a good start

Let's get the beads first, then I'll place the order

Another BIG thanks

2008-09-18T15:41:00.007-05:00

I just need to make a slightly belated thanks to Sheila H. for her wonderful care package. I know that everyone is looking forward to playing designs with the goodies.

Next Beading Day!!!!!!

2008-09-18T15:41:00.005-05:00

Only four more days until we bead again I can't wait and I think that the residents are very much looking forward as well. In fact we been talking that we will have to get it planned in more often. I wish we didn't have to but it does take coordinating and they don't really like to have two things going at the same time so that residents don't have to choose.

Organizing

2008-09-18T15:41:00.002-05:00

Now that we have so many more beads and supplies we have to organize them. Thankfully I have plenty of unused containers from rearranging my own collection so many times. Now we just have to hope that the assistant director and I don't go overboard sorting, it could get crazy she had already done some sorting by colors because she wanted to see everything. Of course if hte residents want to help figure a sorting method it could be interesting.

Craft Ideas

2008-09-07T20:36:00.002-05:00

I think that I'm going to show them how to make bookmarks if they would like. It would be great to get more of the men to participate in the beading. I might have to see if they want to make a collar for Buddy their daytime dog.

More Thanks

2008-09-07T20:34:00.001-05:00

Thanks Sheila H. we got the package yesterday they look great. Our next craft day is looking too far away I want to see what they do!

Ohh my Eyes

2008-09-03T21:00:00.002-05:00

The first time that the residents made bracelets all the staff had to come in and check it out, when they did we put them to work helping a resident string if they needed it. One of the staff was complaining about how she would need IB profen when she was done helping. We got a big laugh from that telling her that she'd get used to it, and the beads she was helping with weren't even that small!! The residents didn't have trouble.

Are you going the sell them?

2008-09-03T20:56:00.002-05:00

The last time we got together to make bracelets one of the residents was showing off some necklaces that she had made on her own, while looking at them another told her to let her know when she put prices on them. I have to agree she has made some really pretty ones. I don't know if she has any desire to sell them but one of the things that they have all had fun doing is making bracelets for family.

Even More Photos

2008-09-02T21:50:00.003-05:00

I couldn't get all of them to fit on the last post so here's some more:

Simple yet Tasteful

So Colorful

And I just realized there's a blue theme going on with these. But they were all done by different residents.

Finally More Pictures

2008-09-02T21:14:00.005-05:00

Okay I finally got things together and got pictures of bracelets that they have made so far, they are all very proud of them. So here they are:

These are some bracelets and necklaces by one of the residents who has gotten very involved in making jewelry since we started. They are even prettier in person.

Another bracelet by a different resident

Ohh My Stars :)

This one's a little fuzzy but she found a great focal bead, it's got little blobs all around.

New beading converts

2008-08-29T20:35:00.002-05:00

One of the really fun things about introducing the residents to beading is how much they are enjoying it. One of the residents has gotten into beading so much that she has started making jewelry at other times to keep busy. And I had another tell me today she was thinking about trying to do it by herself sometimes. It's great to be able to give something that fills their time with joy.

More Pictures

2008-08-29T20:28:00.002-05:00

I know I promised more pictures of the work they have done. My problem is I keep forgetting my camera. The activities assistant told me that they have one so if I forget mine again we'll use theirs next week to get them.

Getting over hurdles

2008-08-27T20:57:00.002-05:00

I will admit one challenge we ran into at first was convincing residents to try beading. Many told us the same thing, they were interested but they couldn't string them on. We had to assure them that it was okay, volunteers would help with that if needed once they had finished designing. A few of them we had to tempt with the beads, when they saw them their eyes just lit up and away we went. The number participating has just grown since the first time. We even got one of the men to do it and he ended up making several.

Share the joy

2008-08-27T20:51:00.002-05:00

I just want to encourage anyone who knows any seniors who would like a hobby to try beading. The residents have been having a blast and they also enjoy the socializing and helping each other find and pick out beads. We tend to spread them out in trays at several different spots so that more people can see them and then we all help find and needed matching beads.

HIPAA Rules

2008-08-27T20:44:00.004-05:00

I thought I should explain why I'm not using many names right now. The reason is the HIPAA law is very strict and specific concerning privacy and I am bound by those laws both as an employee and a volunteer. I have to get specific permission from each resident involved to use either their name or their picture, I also have to check with the nursing staff to make sure that they do not have something contradictory on record because we must go with that. Hopefully if they do not want their name used I can use their initials instead, when talking about what we have been doing.

Big Thanks

2008-08-27T20:32:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to give a big thanks to Sue B. for the beads. We got them today and have been wishing that the next day we are planning on beading was sooner, it's going to be a long wait to see what the residents want to do with them.

So Many Things to Do- So Much Time (I Wish)

2008-08-26T21:34:00.005-05:00

It's only August and we are already thinking about Christmas. Today the activities assistant and I were talking about beading projects the residents might enjoy creating for Christmas. It's always fun to have decorations around and you really can't have too many of them. I'm going to have to dig out some easy patterns for stars and candy canes or maybe Christmas trees. I do have a slight obsession with netted glass ornaments but they are way too tiny for most of the residents to make, although they enjoyed looking at them.

What we've done

2008-08-25T17:43:00.007-05:00

Here are pictures of some bracelets that my late grandma did. While she is not currently a resident she was one of the main reasons that I wanted to do this for the residents. Sorry the photos are a little blurry I need to practice more.

Name Bracelet for Me

Bear Bracelet She Made for Herself

I will be adding photos of bracelets the residents made as soon as I can take photos of them. They have made some really neat ones so far.

What I'm trying to do

2008-08-25T17:08:00.007-05:00

I started this blog in support of a project that I began recently at the local long-term care facility where I work. I needed to lighten my bead stash and wanted to make sure that they found a good home. While thinking of ideas I thought about how much my grandma enjoyed making bracelets and necklaces, for herself and others, out of beads and decided that I wanted to share that joy with the residents where I work. In mid-June we did our first craft day making bracelets and it was a big hit. It was so popular it has become a monthly event that many residents look forward to. Having created so much enthusiasm I wanted to try and keep the stash full and also get new goodies. My main hurdle with this is that I am on a limited budget for supplies I can donate myself and the facility has to spend its activity budget among many things. I also live in a small town and getting to craft stores during great sales can be difficult. I thought that I might be able to get ideas from fellow beaders and put out a plea on The Beading Daily Forum. One of the great ideas I was given and encouraged to pursue was to put out a wish list and see if anyone could help. I was also encouraged to create a website containing more information about what I am trying to do with photos of the projects we have done and the residents beading, so this is it. Hope to have some fun blogging and maybe get some more great ideas.