At Beaded Hope it’s our goal to provide you with the best possible customer service. That way (we hope) you’ll tell your friends about Beaded Hope and how we’re working to change the world for women in South Africa who are impacted by HIV/AIDS.

So, we’re excited to announce that we have been able to reduce our base shipping and handling rate down to $4.95 from our original $6.00. Just our little way of thanking you for continuing to support our work.

See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

“A New Thing” is the latest CD by the Charity and Faith Worship Team from Mamelodi, South Africa. It was professionally recorded just last week (May 2008) and contains a powerful collection of 9 worship songs.

Purchase the new CD here

Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sounds and Songs From South Africa
A free concert featuring South Africa’s Charity & Faith Mission Choir
Crossroads, 3500 Madison Road, Oakley

For the second year in a row, Hospice of Cincinnati is organizing a fundraising concert for the Bophelong Hospice in the township of Mamelodi, South Africa.

And, once again, Beaded Hope is excited to be one of the event sponsors. Beaded Hope will have a booth setup before and after the concert where you can pick up some beautiful, authentic beadwork from South Africa. And, just like last year, Beaded Hope will donate 100% of proceeds to Bophelong.

To give you a little preview of what will be available:

• beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings
• safari animal key rings
• our always popular signature tee shirts (be sure to stop by and see our new design!)
• photography from South Africa
• and much more.

There are lots of new items this year so you’ll want to be sure to check it out.

And remember, 100% of the proceeds benefit the community of Mamelodi, South Africa.

Event hosts: Hospice of Cincinnati and Crossroads
Media sponsor: WCPO

Need more details? Check out the event postcard —concertpostcard

CinWeekly shared their gift guide for Mother’s Day in the following article:

Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Perfect gifts for your mom, no matter her style
TERRON AUSTIN | CIN WEEKLY
Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Still looking for the perfect way to say Happy Mother’s Day? Rest assured, your shopping time has not expired just yet.

We found eight ideas you probably didn’t think of to help celebrate Mom’s special day.

With these great gift items, this year you can create a most memorable Mother’s Day, no matter what she likes or how much (or how little) you plan to spend.

Snag most of these special deals while they last before Mother’s Day, this Sunday, May 11!

MAKE HER FEEL GRAND!
Celebrate her elegance and beauty with a new addition to her wardrobe. Find great deals on accessory sets and on Donna Vinci custom-order designer suit and hat sets ($250) at England’s Elegant Attire.

After your purchase, you can even register for your chance to win a free limousine ride (for Mom, of course, not for you)!

Get it at: England’s Elegant Attire, Northgate Mall, 9527 Colerain Ave., Colerain Twp., 513-522-5900 or www.englandsattirenorthgate.com

MAKE IT PERSONAL!
Have your mom’s favorite artwork reframed, then save a little with a Mother’s Day 25 percent discount off any custom-framing job. Or get a custom-made mirror for enhancing Mom’s interior d√©cor.

Get it at: Artonomy Gallery, Rookwood Commons, 2723 Edmondson Road, Norwood, 513-281-ARTS (2787) or www.artonomyinc.com

MAKE HER FEEL FRESH AND ALIVE!
Give Mom some flowers and honor Mother Earth at the same time. Jones the Florist offers eco-friendly floral needs such as the Green With Envy ($95 and up) and Just Daisy ($55 and up) bouquets. Featuring seven special arrangements made with recycled glass containers and other environmentally responsible resources, the florist allows Mom not to worry so much about the environment.

Get it at: Jones the Florist near you, including Deerfield Towne Center, 5076 Deerfield Blvd., Deerfield Twp., 513-398-3095 or www.jonestheflorist.com

MAKE HER FEEL BEAUTIFUL!
Give the mom on the go some well-deserved quality pampering with a Mother’s Day Head to Toe spa package ($120, manicure and pedicure included). Believe me, she needs it, and she’ll love you for it. Order packages online or at the location closest to you.

Get it at: Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa near you, including 11330 Princeton Pike, Springdale, 513-793-0900 or www.mitchellssalon.com

MAKE HER FEEL USEFUL!
Share the gift of hope on Mother’s Day with one of Beaded Hope’s hand-made African beadworks created to support mothers suffering with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Choose everything from key rings ($8) and bookmarks ($15) to placemats ($20) and necklaces ($42). It’s the perfect way to remind Mom that you were listening when she told you to be a cheerful giver and to help others less fortunate.

Get it at: Multiple locations including Red Tree Art Gallery & Coffee Shop, 4409 Brazee St., Oakley, 513-321-8733 or www.beadedhope.com

GIVE HER A BREAK!
Whether it’s a Friday night fish fry, breakfast on Saturday or a classic Sunday dinner, Mom knows how to make it happen in the kitchen. Return the favor; take her out for an exceptional dining experience where you can celebrate with a special menu ($59 per person) created just for the big day.

Get it at: Morton’s The Steakhouse, Carew Tower, 441 Vine St., downtown, 513-621-3111 or www.mortons.com

MAKE IT MEMORABLE!
Mom doesn’t have to be tech-savvy to make the most of her memories for years to come. The DPF-V700 Sony digital photo frames (starting at $189.99) help her easily display hundreds of photos in vivid color on large LCD screens with direct memory card input and special features to enhance quality.

Get it at: Sony Style, Kenwood Towne Centre, 7875 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, 513-793-0512 or www.sonystyle.com

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE “MOMMY-TO-BE!”
Help the soon-to-be mommy take a moment to relax and be light on her feet this Mother’s Day with the Earth Therapeutics Tea Tree Oil foot soak ($4.40). Afterwards, keep her refreshed and nourished feet cozy in a pair of Earth Therapeutics Soft-Soles gel booties ($13.75).

Get it at: Kohl’s near you, including 61 Spiral Drive, Florence, 859-647-6817 or www.kohls.com

Note: For the mom who’s just too picky, gift cards to her favorite restaurant, hair and nail salon, day spa or bookstore will always suffice. Whatever you choose to do to celebrate your mom on Mother’s Day, just remember to do it with love.

Check out the online article here

The Cincinnati Enquirer, once again, reported on Beaded Hope as part of a special Mother’s Day article on the front page of the Life section.

Looking for the right gift? Here’s some help
To Mother, with love
By Joy Kraft
Cincinnati Enquirer
May 3, 2008

No two mothers are the same. They are as different as the children they bear. On Mother’s Day, some tear up at a badly penned poem. Others take solace from a burnt-toast breakfast in bed, a make-believe tea party, a day at the spa or a sparkling diamond.

But they all want one thing – a gift from the heart.

Mother’s Day is the second highest gift-giving holiday in the United States – behind Christmas – with consumers spending more than $11 billion on their mothers, grandmothers, daughters and friends, according to the National Retail Foundation.

Here are a few suggestions for this year’s Mother’s Day, a week from Sunday.

Soft shoes: These little Oka b slip-ons we spotted at Joseph Beth Booksellers in Norwood’s Rookwood Pavilion are cute as a button.

But a closer look revealed the design is reflexology-based and they are antimicrobial and odor resistant, slip-resistant and dishwasher washable. $28 at Joseph-Beth or www.shoesthatloveyou.com.

Gifts that help. Beaded Hope sells hand-made African beadwork to help mothers impacted by HIV/AIDS near the capital of Pretoria in South Africa to feed their families and buy medication.

These Ndebele bracelets, $24, are available at www.beadedhope.com.

Other Beaded Hope products are at Red Tree Art Gallery in Oakley, Second Chance Consignment in Springdale, Pedigree Interiors in Montgomery and Optimistic Outlook in Fort Thomas.

Another top spot to shop where proceeds go back to needy communities is the gift shop at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, downtown.

Roses and rubber: This rose arrangement from Jones the Florist is designed to honor Mother Earth. The Green with Envy arrangement of VeriFlora roses (grown in an environmentally and socially responsible manner) comes in a recycled rubber container. $95. 513-961-2525

Tuffets for two: Mommy and Me Ottomans from Springcliffe Designs are two 10¬Ω-inch and 15-inch high footstools covered in a variety of fabrics with “feet” to fit mom’s style, whether stilettos or tennis shoes.

Each one is hand-crafted with “shoes” and “socks” signed by the artist. $375 for the pair at www. mytuffet.com.

Berry batch: In 1991, a French nursery introduced “Mara des Bois,” which produces aromatic fruits about the size of acorns with a rich, sweet flavor and tender flesh. In full sun, hybrid “Mara” bears throughout the season and throws vigorous runners. Six-pocket, 14-inch high terra cotta container with nine bare root plants. $135 from www.whiteflowerfarm.com.

Bag of benefits: Ten Thousand Villages in O’Bryonville, which sells fairly traded handicrafts from around the world and channels money back into needy communities, is out to help Mother Earth with a Guatemalan tote made from recycled fabric from the traditional skirts worn by native women. The bag is big enough for books and groceries, and small enough to use as a shoulder bag. $34. 2011 Madison Road. 513-871-5840.

Mom’s custom cookbooks

‚Ä¢ TasteBook (www.tastebook.com) is an online service that allows you to upload recipes and photos to create a hardcover, custom-published cookbook filled with up to 100 recipes – or you can supplement mom’s recipes with dishes from Epicurous.com and other Web sites. $34.95.

• At KeyIngredient (www.keyingredient.com), get oil-splattered and torn family recipes converted into hard copy recipe collections and into personalized, bound cookbooks. At 39 cents per recipe, it transforms collections into digital format that you can share, archive or create a cookbook, starting at $9.95.

Check out the online article here