Plan ahead for your pink breast cancer awareness designs

By Bethany Waldrop Keiper

Planning ahead, staying ahead of the game, keeping on top of things -- however you want to say it, it is best to keep some things in mind and be aware of them before they happen. This is a good thing to think of for the designs of this month's column and the topic they represent -- breast cancer awareness month.

This month, a month early, I'll be interspersing design ideas for jewelry to be worn in October between facts about breast cancer and NBCAM.

Mixing soft shades of pink provides such a pretty end product. In this design, baby pink flower disk beads are paired with sparkling rose pink Swarovski bicones. The effect is soft, subtle, and undeniably feminine. A pink ribbon awareness charm gives this design extra meaning, and is a perfect finishing touch.

At NBCAM, breast cancer awareness and education is a year-round mission. The first NBCAM program took place in October 1985 as a week-long event to fill the information void in public communication about breast cancer. Some of the facts the NBCAM website and other sites provide could be great to print out and pass along to the customers and friends for whom you make these pink designs.

These lampworked, wavy disk, silver foil pink beads have a shimmering, almost mystical appearance -- so what could be a better background, then, for a pink aventurine crystal point wrapped in twisted sterling silver? For those who believe in the abilities of stones and crystals, aventurine is thought to be good for the heart and emotions, and helpful as an aid in the connection between body and mind.

The NBCAM program is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Fifteen national public service organizations, professional associations, and government agencies comprise the Board of Sponsors, who work together to ensure that the NBCAM message is heard by thousands of women and their families.

To keep the NBCAM message close to your ears, consider these pink earrings. Pink awareness ribbons are usually worn in the well-known loop, but a ribbon bow topped with a sparkly crystal bicone is pretty too. A shining, dangling, enameled pink ribbon charm makes sure you get the awareness message across.

According to the NBCAM site, if all women age 40 and older took advantage of early detection methods - mammography plus clinical breast exam - breast cancer death rates would drop much further, up to 30 percent. But all women, especially after age 20, should remember that monthly self-exams are important, according to information on the Susan G. Komen website. This site has self-exam cards to download in many languages.

You might consider finding out how to donate a portion of your pink jewelry sales to cancer research, or to organizations that help people facing the disease. Even if making pink jewelry for a cause isn't your thing, consider visiting the NBCAM site and others to learn more, whether it is for yourself, or to pass along to others.

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