As you must have noticed by now, I make jewelry, but I dabble in cooking. I belong to Cooking Italy, a group founded by Angela of Spinach Tiger, with members all over the globe (really!) Well, my dear, courageous friend Angela is standing up and starting a movement. Angela lost two loved ones to AIDS and has set aside today, World AIDS Day to remember victims of AIDS by Cooking Red to Remember. You should really read her post – she has poured her heart and soul into it.
Like I said, I only dabble in cooking, so really didn’t feel I could dream up a wonderful dish in red. But I did “cook” up a little something in red. I had a piece of red jewelry, ready to post, last night. But it wasn’t the piece below. It was a showy, special occasion piece – lots of bling, filigree and a drop pendant. Then last night, I read this post by Greg of Sippity Sup. He got me to thinking about the difference between a once a year remembrance and remembering every day. I decided to rework it into a more “user-friendly” piece.
This design uses Crystallized™ Swarovski Elements (yes, long to write, but necessary to keep the Swarovski lawyers away!) The crystals are asymmetrically faceted – I liked that, because it is a reminder that AIDS victims are not all alike – they can be old or young, man or woman, gay or straight and from every corner of the earth (oh – and the asymmetric facets sparkle like crazy, too!) The crystals are of course, Red to Remember. The focal charm with the sun is a reminder of the hope that each new dawn gives us – until we reach the dawn when a cure is found. The necklace is 18″ long and includes components of 14kt gold-filled and vermeil (gold over sterling.)
Do you like this necklace? If you do, please BID on it! I am auctioning it off to the highest bidder and 100% will be donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. I selected this charity, with Angela’s approval, because they are top-rated by Charity Navigator and their mission statement includes “…efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS…” as well as direct services to patients with “…food distribution, assisted living, social service coordination…” The meals for patients was an important factor, as this movement was born of a food blogger!
If you have questions about the piece, feel free to email me. The auction will run until midnight of December 7th. Bidding will start at $20 – which is less than the cost of materials! – and will go up in increments of at least $1. Shipping is on me. You can either email your bid privately to me, or post in a comment. I will keep a running list of bidder’s initials and their bids on this post. Bidding order will go by time stamps on bids received.
If anyone has experience with eBay’s Giving Works, please email me – I may move the auction there, if I can figure it out.
Good luck!
