Breast Cancer Awareness

The pink ribbon is powerful.

October became Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985, due to a campaign to promote mammograms and regular exams. Over the years, the goals expanded and the pink ribbon grew in significance along with them.

Jewelry makers have the power to increase awareness, bolster fundraising efforts, support those going through treatment, cancer survivors and others with their art. Each design can raise funds, serve as a beacon of hope and be worn as a symbol of solidarity.

Supporting the Cause Through Jewelry-Making

How does a jewelry maker or beading artist raise money for a cause like breast cancer awareness and research? Here are some popular methods designer-artists use to improve the lives of others:

• Sell
This is a convenient option for jewelry makers and designer-artists—especially those with online outlets—or at a fundraising event, craft fair or farmer's market. There are multiple options: all proceeds, all profits and percentage of purchase are the most common. Each option can be based on every individual sale, on the sale of certain jewelry lines, on sales over a period of time (a week, all of October, etc.) or on everything sold at a single, specific event.

All proceeds means that every cent you take in from sales and/or donations goes to fund breast cancer research. If you bring in less money than the event charged for the booth, then your business absorbs all costs.


All profits means that every cent you take in goes to the cost for the booth and/or travel expenses first; any money leftover goes to fund breast cancer research. If you bring in less money than the event charged for the booth, then nothing is donated.


Percentage of purchase can mean a percentage of the money you take in goes to fund breast cancer research, regardless of whether event costs are met. Again, this can be in each individual sale, of the sale of certain jewelry lines, of sales over a period of time or of everything sold during a particular event. In-person opportunities allow fundraising jewelry makers to keep a selection of themed beads, charms and other components on hand, so customers can customize a purchase on the spot: customers buy the bead or charm, while the designer donates a chain or cord.


Jewelry makers who go this route need to be upfront about the percentage amount and which charity or non-profit organization (NPO) it's being sent to. For example, "5% of the purchase price of pink ribbon jewelry will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation." Advertise this; make sure customers know before they buy. After you send the monies to the organization, be sure to post on your website or social media what the total donation amount was—especially if you choose the route of percentages over a period of time.

Transparency is key. Let your customers know how much they helped. They won't forget—and many will tell their friends and contacts about your efforts. Repeat efforts will build on previous success.

• Donate
If a jewelry maker's time is limited, an outright donation can be the best option. Start by contacting the charity of choice and find out what they accept as donations. This can mean giving physical jewelry or jewelry supplies to auctions and events hosted by non-profit organizations. NPOs like the American Cancer Society usually offer fundraising opportunities throughout the year. Frequently, these are auctions—live, silent or online—so be sure to add the "suggested retail value" of the piece, based on your time and supplies. Include a description of the piece and the materials used.

High-end jewelry pieces or gift baskets stuffed with jewelry-centric merchandise can command substantial prices and, in the right setting, could help to maximize the amount going to breast cancer research. Beyond donating physical items for auctions, interested jewelry makers can volunteer assistance for set up or pre-event organization—even help with advertising, staffing and more. 

And, of course, any jewelry maker can organize their own donation-based fundraising event. Jeanette Shanigan did with the Bead-it-Forward Project. After losing her mother to breast cancer, Jeanette wanted to raise funds for breast cancer research. Rather than go it alone, she reached out to other beaders and jewelry makers, asking artists to create 1-inch beaded squares (with a different theme each year). She and her daughters stitched these squares together into mini quilts. The quilts were auctioned off and all the proceeds went to the Medical College of Wisconsin Breast Cancer Research Foundation from 2006-2014. In 2015, the proceeds went to Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research and the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. 

• Gift
Donation jars are a good way to raise awareness and have people contribute to your cause. You can draw attention and give thanks for their donations by putting trinkets, such as pink ribbon charms, pink beads, etc. next to the jar.

Jewelry designers can also gift pink ribbon designs directly to people going through cancer treatment or offer up their pink-themed bead stash so patients can create their own stretch bracelets or earrings. A pretty piece of jewelry can raise spirits over the course of long-term treatment procedures. Contact local organizations and charities to discover how design creations or supply donations could help.

• Teach
Designer-artists can volunteer to teach a class in their favorite technique: stringing, wire-working, kumihimo, etc. Most jewelry-making classes have a fee, which can be given in whole or in part to breast cancer research or waived entirely, asking instead for a monetary donation to be made to a particular NPO or charity. To help offset costs, jewelry makers can ask the local community, beading societies or bead shops for donated materials or to borrow tools.

Another alternative is to offer a free virtual or in-person jewelry-making class or lesson to cancer treatment patients or their supporters—even if you don't have the time or energy to run a fundraiser, you can teach those who do! This is a gratifying way to make a tangible difference doing something you love, and the positive impacts are immediate. 

• Shop
Purchasing specific components from other creators—such as one-of-a-kind lampworked beads or wire-worked pendants—to use in jewelry designs is a great way to support twice as much. Buying from those who are also contributing means fundraising comes from two sources, rather than one.

 One example is the Circle of Hope project. For over 10 years, Fire Mountain Gems accepted donations of handmade beads, components, other jewelry supplies and finished designs. Each October, these donated items were sold on our website with 100% of the purchase price of the products going to a range of breast cancer-focused organizations. Because transparency is key, the amount donated to breast cancer research from the sales of these beads, components, brooches, etc. was shown. 

Breast cancer awareness and fundraising efforts are strengthened by the creativity and generosity of those who craft handmade jewelry. View the current breast cancer awareness page to read Chris' personal story of resilience, discover inspirational design ideas and shop this Fire Mountain Gems and Beads-curated selection of Breast Cancer Awareness and Affirmation products to use in designs created specifically for fundraising. Each design uses the power of the pink ribbon to raise vital funds, but also serve as a beacon of hope and a symbol of solidarity.

Make each pink ribbon design a win-win for everybody—except cancer.