“Front Porch Beads” donates $1,000 to Micah’s Place

By Karen Thompson
Features Reporter
April 23, 2019 3:00 p.m.

What started out as a small group of Amelia Park women making bracelets has turned into Front Porch Beads, a larger band of beaders making and selling beautifully designed jewelry for charity. $1,000 was recently gifted by the group to Micah’s Place, the only Domestic Violence Center serving Nassau County.

How long does it take to make $1,000 worth of bracelets? The group began in July of last year and has grown to include some members of the Newcomers Club, former jewelry makers and those willing to learn a new art. The core group numbers about 20 and is rife with conversation and comradery.

Founder Frances Peters, a bubbly, extremely organized former IT trouble-shooter for IBM, generously provides the beads, tools and supplies. Her front porch, and sometimes the back porch, are lush with tropical foliage and provide the perfect venue for this very unique charitable endeavor. When the weather is not cooperating Story and Song, a local bookstore and community arts gathering center, donates space in its upstairs lounge to accommodate the beaders.

Bracelets, hundreds of them, have been sold at Story and Song and Micah’s Place resale shop. New merchandise includes eye-keepers, wine glass charms, earrings and necklaces. Jewelry will also be sold at the Amelia Musical Playhouse yard sale and at the Green Turtle’s first annual Pre-Shrimpfest Jam on Saturday, April 27.

The Front Porch Beaders are well on their way to a second $1,000 donation that will benefit “Take Stock In Children,” a non-profit organization that offers college scholarships to students, provides volunteer mentors and instills hope for a better life for Nassau County middle through high school students.

Karen Thompson 2Editor’s Note: Karen moved to Fernandina Beach eight years ago after working in Chicago as a senior public relations specialist for the Midwestern regional office of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to that, she was an editor, columnist and writer for a chain of Chicago newspapers , an account executive for several Chicago public relations agencies and proprietor of her own pr/marketing business. She grew up and earned her journalism degree in Wisconsin.

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Glenda Sutton
Glenda Sutton (@guest_54912)
4 years ago

I would like information on how to become a part of this group.