Bottles of Hope

AMACO supports “Bottles of Hope” as a grassroots national polymer clay movement that seeks to increase awareness about cancer through the distribution of decorated chemotherapy bottles to cancer patients and their families.

Bottles of Hope Summer 2007 On-Line Auction

Bottles of Hope for Hasbro

Groups and individuals, many through local chapters of the National Polymer Clay Guild, create bottles decorated with polymer clay that carry messages of hope. Local fundraisers and workshops raise awareness and funds for cancer prevention, research, and treatment conducted by hospitals and charities devoted to helping those with cancer. Many of these workshops take place in hospitals so that cancer patients can create their own bottles and experience the therapeutic value of playing in clay as an expression of sorrow and then hope.



AMACO is honored to sponsor special events like Designer Challenges for the creation of artistic “Bottles of Hope” to raise awareness for these organizations and to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society and others. The American Cancer Society approved of AMACO's first Designers Challenge, as a third party fundraising event, based on the strength and integrity of "Bottles of Hope".



.

39 artists created the 80 entries submitted to our first challenge between Thanksgiving and New Year’s last year to make a deadline for the Craft & Hobby Association Winter 2007 Show in Anaheim.

CHA 2007 Anaheim Bottles of Hope Reception.

The American Cancer Society approved of AMACO’s first Designer’s Challenge, as a third party fundraising event, based on the strength and integrity of “Bottles of Hope”.



“Bottles of Hope” was founded by Diane Gregoire in 1999, a polymer clay artist who survived cancer and decorated chemotherapy bottles, to gift to other cancer patients with messages of hope.

The very simple rule for Bottles of Hope that was established with its founding is: No bottle of hope is ever sold… only gifted. Bottles can be auctioned off, however, to raise funds.

Please visit www.bottlesofhope.org to read a brief memoir by Diane Gregoire. Then, “google” bottles of hope to read about the many workshops and designers challenges going on today.



It is through the efforts of the National Polymer Guild, its local guilds and private individuals that this project continues to thrive.

These men, women and children continue throughout the year to gift hundreds of bottles, and have since 1989. The everlasting spirit and generosity of the artists-- who contribute messages of hope to cancer patients and their families-- is the flame AMACO honors with these events.

Messages of Hope



We invite artists of all ages to participate in our second Designers Challenge for the Craft & Hobby Association Summer 2007 show.




For those interested in learning more about our Bottles of Hope Designer Challenges, you can sign up for our Designer E-Newsletter by e-mailing Pam Purkhiser.