Beads of Courage Beads of Courage Canada: http://www.beadsofcourage.ca/about 

Guidelines for Turned Treasure Boxes:

In order to hold the beads, turned boxes for the Beads of Courage program need to be about 6 inches in diameter (5 inches minimum) and 5 inches deep (4 inches minimum). If possible, have “Beads of Courage” engraved or burned in the lid, or leave a place to insert a bead.

The round bead sizes are: 3/4 +" with a thickness of 5/16" or  1 1/4" with a 3/16" thickness. There is a rectangle bead that is 3/4" x 15/16" with a thickness of 5/16".  Make sure the lids are easily removable.  Any finials should be easy for a small child to grasp and not too elaborate.

Finishing:

Children who receive these boxes are susceptible to germs/infections/mold. Bowls that have not been properly sealed can harbor mold. Ensure you are using a safe finishing process that does not contain toxic materials. Do not use finishes like linseed or walnut oil that take a long time to outgas. Do not paint Beads of Courage boxes. Instead, highlight the beauty of the wood with clear varnish, stain, and/or burning.

Please complete a donation form with your finished box or bowl.  You can get the forms at the Beads of Courage Canada website , or John VandenBerg will have copies of them.

The boxes will be collected at each meeting.  They should have your name and city written on the bottom.  You can enclose a card with your name and “Chinook Woodturners” written on it. There will be cards printed for you to sign when you bring a box.

Beads of Courage is a program dedicated to children coping with serious illness by helping them to RECORD, TELL and OWN their story of COURAGE through beads.

Members of the Chinook Woodturning Guild, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, are assisting Beads of Courage by making individually turned wooden treasure boxes and lidded bowls in which the ill children can keep and display their beads.