Chasing Butterflies

What An Amazing 2 Years

2008-09-22T14:29:00.002-05:00

Thank you to all my friends and family members who have been so supportive to me during the building up process of my home based business called "Chasing Butterflies"! It has been an amazing ride getting to this point and thanks to all of you and your support, I look forward to continuing to gift to LifeGift for the work that they do. Though it's not much by any means, having the ability to donate makes me feel good at the end of the day and I love that I can sleep at night, knowing something good has come out of the tragic loss we suffered.

I pray for your continued support as we begin our 3rd year in business and our 2nd year on the internet at

www.imchasingbutterflies.com

Thank you again for all your hard work and prayers on Chasing Butterflie's behalf!

Now, call me to schedule another show in your home! (SMILING)

I'VE FINALLY DONE IT.......

2006-07-30T21:08:00.001-05:00

I've finally done it.......

I bought my own domain and website!!!

I am sooooooo excited!

Please log onto

www.imchasingbutterflies.com

and leave me a question or a comment! I'd love to know that you visited. I would appreciate any forwarding of the website to anyone you know, as the more hits it recieves, the more search engines will add it to the search pings. Thank you all and God bless. I will probably not be adding anymore to this blog as the website, which is still under construction will be taking up alot of my time. I will, however, continue to update my original blog,

http://praynladysblessings.blogspot.com

when my computer allows me to.

It is on the fritz right now and is not really cooperating with me willingly. I hope to have the problems erradicated soon!

God Bless,

Blessings and Hugs,

Colleen

My First Showing....

2006-07-09T14:57:00.000-05:00

This coming Saturday, I will be setting up at a craft show in Brazoria. I am excited and looking forward to seeing what the "public" thinks of my creations. I am praying for a great turnout as well for myself and the other crafters. I am also praying for great weather, as many of the booths will be set up outdoors. My table is just inside the door so I am not too worried about rain, but would feel bad for those who purchased spots outside. I will have donor (wallet) cards available for pickup. I have not had the chance to go to Houston yet to pick up some flyers but I hope to this week or after the following week. You can always go online to LifeGift.com and it will give you prompts on where to print a flyer, a card and to fill out an application to find out who the recipient or recipients were.

Following are some comments that I received via email about the jewelry;

"I don't know any of your family, but it was still heartbreaking just to hear about someone's young child leaving this world. I have a husband, 3 grown sons and 7 grandchildren. My oldest grandson was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 5 , treated and cured within 3 years. The week of his 11th birthday it was discovered that he had relapsed. I ask you to please pray for his recovery. Also, I loved all of your jewelry. Do you display it at home, in a shop or only on line? "

"It was a joy to see what you have been doing. What a blessing to hear that you donated some of your sons organs. My husband and I are both donors. I am so touched by your loving heart and I am so thankful to have met you several years ago. "

"These are beautiful! How much would a bracelet be that is in sterling?"

"You are awesome. It never ceases to amaze me that with all you have been through medically, just in the few years I've known you, and loosing Ian that your thoughts always seem to be with others. What an awesome influence for your nieces and nephews."

"I admire you for what you are doing."

"that was awesome colleen - you're certainly making lemonade out of your lemons! "

"I need to get something for a friend of mine. Her son drowned when he was 18 mos. old and she has claimed the butterfly as her symbol of hope & healing. "

"I just came from youre chasing butterflies new blog and im amazed at your beautiful jewelry, im soooo proud of you.... the jewelry is unique and I love it, I know Jesus and Ian are looking down from above and smiling at you!!!"

"We have very close friends whose son, Samuel, was a recipient of a donor heart at 3 months! He is now 7 years old and as ornery as ever. His family stays in touch with the donor family, and have visited them a couple of times. Here's their story: http://www.clainescorner.com/"

"How amazing....I'm forwarding your message to an ex-coworker whose husband received a heart several years ago from a 16 yr old. She is very active with Life Gift here in the DFW metroplex. I'm sure she'll share the word."

"Colleen, These are very pretty and What a great idea and what a neat way to remember your son! Chasing Butterflies and what it means just gave me goosebumps. I think it's really wonderful to promote the donor thing-so many people don't know about it or realize what a Great thing they can do with something they aren't using any more"

I did not include names but will share privately. Thank you all for your support, your encouragement and love. I hope to continue to do what God is calling me for and enjoying the ride in the process. I know He has great things planned for me and while I am trying to figure out what they might be, I will pray that I am able to help someone, mentor someone, or even pray with someone that needs an understanding ear, shoulder and heart. Please continue to comment and if you know a donor family, or a recipient or family member, I'd love to hear from you.
God Bless, Colleen

Some Current Add Ons

2006-07-04T23:45:00.001-05:00

I am sorry that the inventory numbers are not up and running yet so I have placed plain numbers below each photo for temporary purposes. Thank you for your patience.

1, 2, 3,

4, 5, 6,

7, 8, 9,

10, 11, 12,

13, 14, 15,

16, 17, 18,

More will be added tomorrow. I have approx. 60 more pieces to add.

Updated List coming soon...

2006-07-04T09:41:00.000-05:00

CB0023 (SOLD) , CB0024

CB0018

CB0020, CB0019 (SOLD)

CB0018, CB0015, CB0016, CB0017

CB0014, CB0013

CB0009, CB0011
(SOLD) 1 similar available

CB0010, CB0006, CB0007, CB0008

CB0005 (SOLD) one more available, CB0004

CB0001, CB0002, CB0003, CB0067

(SET sold, have one more set available)

CB0066, CB0065

CB0064, CB0063

CB0029, CB0043

CB0046, CB0031

CB0042, CB0030

CB0045 , CB0041

CB0040, CB0048

CB0032, CB0037

CB0039, CB0036

CB0038, CB0047

CB0034, CB0033

CB0044, CB0062

CB0061, CB0060

CB0059, CB0058

CB0056, CB0055

CB0057, CB0082

CB0083, CB0054

CB0078, CB0077

CB0076, CB0075

CB0073

CB0104, CB0093

CB0103, CB0102

CB0101, CB0100

CB0099, CB0098
(99 sold but more available)

CB0097, CB0079

CB0096, CB0095

CB0094, CB0092

CB0091, CB0090

CB0089, CB0088

CB0087, CB0086

CB0085, CB0084

CB0081, CB0080

If I will need to ship an item or items to you, there will be a $2.50 handling charge along with the postage. I will only ship from the local post office. I have my own scale and will only charge the amount on the scale. Should the amount be less than what I have charged you, well, good for me! haha But if the amount is more than what I charged you, I will deduct the difference from the handling charge and you won't have to worry about it, so good for you! haha I am trying to figure out how to include a paypal tab on this page so that those of you who use paypal can just click to pay. I will keep working on that as well.

I have approximately 90 pieces ready to add to the photos . I have a few that I have not yet photographed. As soon as I can, I will add them to the post!

Disclaimer: Most bracelets, necklaces and earrings are made of glass beads, silver plated, gold plated findings are used, and occasionally plastic beads are used for accent. If you would like to place an order, items made with pure silver will be charged accordingly and may take a bit longer to make and deliver, (mail, ship, drop off personally).

ONLY A WEEK?...

2006-06-22T10:32:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I am beginning a one week break from reality! heehee

I will be going places, doing things with my family, and missing Ian while we are out.

I will continue to monitor my email and this site, so please leave messages or email me with your orders. I will keep my price sheet handy so that I can get back to you as quickly as possible.

Please have a safe and happy weekend,

Sign a donor card,

And be grateful to God for his many blessings!

Please scroll down to see the items we have available at this time.

More will be added as soon as possible.

I am working on making 2 columns so that the length is not an issue!

Patience please!

THE NUMBERS ARE MESSED UP FROM ATTEMPTING TO DOUBLE THE COLUMNS. IT IS AFFECTING THE SIZE, THE COLOR AND THE PICTURE SPACE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SECOND NUMBER ON THE LINE WILL GO TO THE SECOND PICTURE. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS, JUST GIVE ME THE NUMBERS AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION. THANKS AND SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE

Chasing Butterflies

2006-06-11T17:05:00.000-05:00

Please allow me to introduce myself and tell you a little about what I am doing .

My name is Colleen Cooper, I am a 42 year young, wife and mother of 3. I have 2 living daughters and one son that moved on to his home with Jesus Christ a little over 5 1/2 years ago.

On September 18th, 2000, my son Ian died from injuries sustained in a car accident. He was 7 years and 12 days old. He was a beautiful (big) boy and is still dearly missed and thought of every moment of the day.
Shortly before he passed away, my husband and I decided that he would be an organ donor.

The group at the hospital, LifeGift, had been talking with us and up to that point, we had never really seriously considered the donor idea.
A short time after his death, we were notified that he had been the donor of his 4 heart valves and his corneas. 6 people are now living a better life because of the gift he gave them. He, in a way, lives on through the people that received the new valves and corneas. I love the thought that someone somewhere is living better and seeing, because of what he gave.
The LifeGift group had a bumper sticker at the time that said something like this, "Heaven doesn't need them, but it's hell on earth without them"!

My goal is to bring awareness to my community, reaching out as far as possible, that signing up as a registered donor will save someones life or greatly improve the one they are living now!
I hope to let people know that when a loved one dies, if they have not registered, to consider donating their organs and whatever else they would want to donate (ie; tissue, bone, etc.) so that someone else might be able to "spread their wings" and fly.

My son was the inspiration behind the name I chose. Butterflies live such a short life yet they are beautiful and graceful and everyone always marvels at one when it flies by. To be kissed by a butterfly is considered one of life's treasured moments in my family. It is like a kiss from God because they are so gentle, to light and so tender.
Ian, spent much of his life "chasing butterflies"! When asked to do something, he would get it done but in the process, would be found chasing them around the yard. It was a beautiful thing.
It made me think of those who are on a list waiting to receive a new life, through a new heart or lung or kidney or cornea or heart valve or so on.

Please talk to your loved ones and discuss becoming a registered donor. I hope to have registration cards soon but they are available at your local Dept. of Public Safety (where you get your drivers license). All you have to do is fill out a very small and simple card and then place one or two of the very small stickers somewhere on your drivers license.

If you would consider registering, but have questions you can find out more at the LifeGift website or at your local DPS office, or you can leave me a comment or email me and I will be happy to try and get an answer for you.

Please let me know you were here and if you are a relative to a donor or recipient, I would love to hear from you and share your stories or thoughts if you'd like.

God is so great that not only can he carry our burdens, but He cries with us over losses such as the death of a child or a family member or friend. I pray that if you are reading this that you know that the only way to Him is through his son, Jesus Christ, who died and gave (donated) his ALL for us, for our sins to allow us to live with him eternally in heaven when we have finished our race here.

Think about this: You won't need them where you are going!

Each piece of jewelry is handcrafted by myself or one of my family members, (Kendra, Shannon and Tori, have been true blessings), and ALL are created with love. Each piece will have a butterfly somewhere within it's making, to signify the "spread your wings and fly" theme. A butterfly will be included in either the beading or dangling from the piece.

If you have a specific color pattern or choice you'd like me to make, I can do that as well.

If you see a piece you are interested in, please email me with the item number just below the photo and I will send you the pricing information and shipping details. Thank you! my email is as follows

praynlady@cebridge.net

Ideal Ideas

(these are only a few of them...)
Wedding attendant gifts
Sport Team Moms
Teacher gifts
Secret Pal gifts
Birthday, Christmas or other special days (i.e. Mothers day, Grandparents day, etc.)

NO TWO PIECES WILL EVER BE EXACTLY ALIKE UNLESS ORDERED SPECIFICALLY THAT WAY: ie wedding attendant gifts, teachers gifts, party favors etc.

I have several pieces that can be purchased as individual pieces or as a set for a discount. When a set is purchased, I will discount the total set by $3.00 to $5.00, depending on the make of the set.

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and of great courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee, withersoever thou goest.

I have approximately 90 pieces ready. I have a few that I have not yet photographed. As soon as I can, I will add them to the post!

Thanks for being patient until I figure out exactly what I am doing and get everything lined out. I am going to try to put a title under each one so that you will know the difference in the ones that look similar.

Disclaimer: Most bracelets, necklaces and earrings are made of glass beads, silver plated, gold plated findings are used, and occasionally plastic beads are used for accent. If you would like to place an order, items made with pure silver will be charged accordingly and may take a bit longer to make and deliver, (mail, ship, drop off personally).

New Site Under Construction....

2006-06-10T22:21:00.001-05:00

I have begun creating beautiful beaded jewelry for sale. Each piece is custom designed and created with a specific purpose! To promote awareness for organ donation. My son, when he was 7 was pronounced dead barely 20 hours from the time of the car accident. 6 people are "spreading their wings" now because of him. He blessed people even in his death. I am proud to say that I to will be a donor (God willing everything still works!) when my time comes. I once heard or saw this phrase:

Heaven don't need em'
But it's hell without em'

Please leave me a comment if you are a recipient or the family member of a donor or recipient! I'd love to hear from you.

Blessings and prayers,
Praynlady

I HOPE TO HAVE THIS BLOG UP AND RUNNING WITHIN THE WEEK. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR REALLY BEAUTIFUL GIFTS WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE. THANKS COLLEEN

YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE ITEMS AT

www.imchasingbutterflies.com

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