I wanted to let you know that Design Originals recently published a new PC book called "Stamp and Slice Clay". It features a two page project on the Bottles of Hope! I am hoping this will help spread the word and even more people involved.

As the Coordinator of the Bottles of Hope project, I want to thank clayers all over the country for taking this Connecticut based initiative and bringing it to hospitals and treatment centers around the country! These are just a few of the many things that clay artists have done in the past year:

• A Bottles of Hope Challenge at Clay ConneCTion 2000 in Connecticut. Over 80 bottles were made and distributed to cancer patients



• A Bottle Day October 2000 in Guilford, CT. Over 40 attendees, including cancer survivors and their friends. Girl Scouts came, too, and made beautiful bottles.



• A Bottles of Hope Challenge at the San Diego Clay Guild's retreat last November. 110 bottles made and distributed! Thanks to Marie Segal!



• The Utah Polymer Clay Guild is covering bottles and has two or three local hospitals lined up to receive the bottles.



• Online article in Crafting Today: http://www.craftingtoday.com/level3/articles/ceramics3.html



• The New Jersey PC Guild is covering bottles for local distribution



• Description of the project in Bead and Button Magazine



• Many local workshops took place in the Connecticut and Rhode Island area



• The Houston Polymer Clay Guild made bottles at a Jan 2001 retreat and will be having a Bottles of Hope Challenge at their upcoming May retreat.

I have set up a special email address for this program: bottlesofhope@hotmail.com and would encourage you to contact me and let me know what you are doing. Feel free to contact me to ask questions. We have brochures and logos available digitally.

Thank you all so much!

Tracy Van Buskirk
Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild