I am a small-scale artisan with certain physical limitations, and I want to give people like me a chance. With €18,000, I want to open the first physical workshop for making beaded jewellery, adapted for people with special needs, and to take the business online as well, especially for those who are unable to travel.

Even 10–20 lei makes a difference – together we can make a difference! Donate and you can change a life!

My name is Rodica, I’m nearly 50 years old and I’ve been making beaded jewellery for over 15 years (although I trained to be a teacher, life had other plans for me).

I live about 25 km from a town and have some health issues. Many years ago, I was in a road accident and had to undergo emergency surgery on my spine and my left leg. I can walk and stand (thank God! – I could have ended up in a vegetative state), but I’m in pain EVERY DAY.

It’s been over 30 years since I’ve known what a pain-free day feels like. I had an open fracture in my left leg which required a pin, and unfortunately, the bone didn’t heal 100 per cent, so my left leg has remained slightly shorter. That was all that could be done at the time. It’s almost imperceptible to the naked eye when I walk, but that doesn’t mean the difficulties are any less significant or any less real.

Having one leg slightly shorter has, over the years, caused an imbalance in my body and a major curvature of the spine, which causes severe pain.

The doctors’ advice (apart from further surgery) is that I should avoid physical exertion, which is impossible when you’re a single woman with a young child and both parents bedridden.

My mum had a VSD (ventricular septal defect) – a congenital heart defect (essentially a hole in her heart which made it impossible for her to do any physical activity), whilst my father had cancer, which we unfortunately discovered far too late, when it was already stage IV with metastases. I looked after them both whilst they were bedridden, as there was no one else to do so. This included lifting them to change their nappies and wash them.

Now my child has grown up, my parents have passed away… but the consequences of the efforts I made back then remain, and every day is a struggle for me.

On the other hand, around the same time, I underwent two operations: one in my genital area and the second on my thyroid. At the start of 2020, a nodule was discovered on the left lobe of my thyroid, which was growing like Prince Charming in fairy tales. Whilst it measured 2.5 cm in January, by October – when I finally had the operation – it had reached 8.5 cm. I’d got to the point where I was sleeping sitting up, propped up by pillows, because the nodule had grown so much that it was pressing on my windpipe and I was choking if I lay flat in bed. The TYRADS score was 5, meaning there was over an 80 per cent chance it was cancerous. The biopsy came back clear, though; God was on my side once again.

Throughout all these years, beads have been – and continue to be – a source of comfort for me, a ‘therapy for the soul’, an escape from the world full of pain and suffering in which I live. When I see petal after petal, flower after flower, taking shape in my hands… I forget all my pain.

Most of the jewellery I create at the moment is one-off or part of a limited edition, with my 3D floral statement necklaces being the most popular. (You can see my creations on my Facebook page; you’ll find it by searching for my name)

But I started off tentatively, with simple designs, at a time when home internet wasn’t very widespread (at least in Romania), mobile internet was out of the question, and tutorials in Romanian were non-existent. But a boundless passion drove me to keep creating, to keep learning (sometimes making and unpicking something several times until it turned out right), to hone my skills and to learn new techniques.

And when I see that what I do is appreciated and loved by those around me, it gives me hope that it might bring the same comfort to others too. I’m convinced there are so many others around who would be happy to create something beautiful with their own hands, and I could help them, guide them and teach them.

► I’ve reached a point where I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge, and I’d like to share it with everyone who, in turn, is going through difficult times and wants to learn the art of beadwork, but without having to go through the difficulties I faced when I was starting out. It’s infinitely easier when someone holds your hand, explains things to you, advises you and guides you through every step.

I understand the pain, I understand the helplessness – perhaps better than many others, because I face them myself every day – which is why I’d like to share a little of my joy with others.

And at the same time, I’d like to instil in their hearts the feeling that THEY ARE VALUABLE, that they can create something beautiful with their own hands, and – why not? – perhaps even help them to earn an income from this activity, if they feel truly drawn to working with beads.

And to make my dream a reality, I have three areas of focus:

●1. I want to organise IN-PERSON workshops for children and young people with special needs ( across different age groups – projects of low difficulty, tailored to each age group).

Participation would be virtually free (in my view), with only modest costs, because I’d like every parent of a child with special needs to be able to afford to send their child to the workshop, provided, of course, that the child wants to attend.

The workshops would be both practical (the children would learn to create their own jewellery, which they could then wear or give as gifts to their loved ones), but also fun (the information would be presented in a way that helps them relax, with little amusing stories and the chance to make new friends).

●2. I would like to organise IN-PERSON workshops for adults with special needs, featuring projects of varying levels of difficulty (from absolute beginner to intermediate), because adults also need beauty in their lives – but where the project can still be completed in a few hours, or a day at most.

In this case too, I’d like the participation fee to be low, just enough to partially cover the organisational costs and the necessary materials, because I’d like to help as many people as possible fall in love with the wonderful world of beads, which has changed my life.

*****I want both the workshops for children and those for adults with special needs to serve as a form of therapy. When you make a REAL object with your own hands – one that can be worn, given as a gift or even sold – this can boost self-esteem and a sense of competence.

For someone who frequently finds themselves in situations where others do things for them, the experience of creating something beautiful and functional can be very important and gives them a sense that what they do has value.

●3. I would like to launch a website featuring tutorials and courses – both for beginner and intermediate-level projects (such as those in the in-person workshops), and for truly special, more complex projects that take days or even weeks to complete.

The latter would be aimed solely at those who already have previous experience in creating beaded jewellery but wish to take their skills to the next level or learn how to make a specific design. There will be a small fee for participation or access, depending on the level of difficulty of each individual project.

NOTES:

* Those aimed at people with special needs will have the same low price as the in-person workshops, just enough to cover administrative costs.

** However, the more complex ones will aim to generate revenue to sustain the entire structure in the future, from which I will pay the rent for the premises, website hosting and all other expenses after the first year, as well as providing me with an income.

Given that I’ll be working pro bono (for free) on the workshops and courses for people with special needs, I also need an income, which will come from selling the jewellery I create and from selling the complex/specialised tutorials.

► Unfortunately, realising this dream requires a lot of money – money that I do not have.

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■■■ Firstly, for the in-person workshops (both for children and adults), I need to rent (at least for one day at a time) the venues where each one will take place.

► In the town near where I live, I’ve already found a fantastic space to rent near the centre, which would allow for a mixed-use layout – a fully adapted, safe and accessible place where students can come in person to socialise and learn.

At the front, on the sides facing the street, I’ll be able to set up a small display/sales area; that is, I’ll place a few display cases with mannequins (and other jewellery stands) on which to exhibit items for sale – initially the jewellery I’ve already created, and later, if desired, we’ll also sell the pieces created during the workshops, to generate a profit for the participants as well.

And at the back, I’ll set up tables (where we can string beads and work) and comfortable, ergonomic chairs (height-adjustable), suitable for both children and adults with physical difficulties.

The space is superb; it’s as if it’s waiting just for me and the children: large, bright windows on two sides (it’s on a corner, with a clear view inside from two sides and requires no interior renovation (the walls look fine, no painting needed)), it also has an en-suite toilet (which is very important if children are going to be staying there for a few hours) and it’s on the ground floor, fully accessible even for wheelchair users.

However, I need to purchase the display cabinets for the shop area and the tables and chairs for the workshop area. Furthermore, I’ll need to pay the monthly utility bills: electricity and water, plus heating during the winter.

The landlord, having heard of my plans and knowing I have two daughters, one of whom is 11 and has special needs, offered me a very low rent compared to the area, but he set one condition: the low rent is only valid if I rent the space for at least a full year (with the option of extending the tenancy later).

**ESTIMATED BUDGET REQUIRED: 7,500 EURO (one year’s rent + shop windows and furniture + utilities)

►As for other cities, I’ll need to look for suitable premises (such as bookshops or tea rooms, etc.) and negotiate a daily rental rate. I’m not sure whether all landlords will be willing to rent out spaces for small sums.

**ESTIMATED BUDGET REQUIRED – for renting venues for a single day in 4–5 other cities: 1,500 euros

►I’ll also need a car for travelling between cities for the workshops, as well as for my daily commute between my home and the workshop. I don’t want anything expensive. A second-hand car will do just fine for me, provided I don’t spend more than 2,000 EUR on it (+ taxes/registration fees, approx. 500 EURO).

As long as it runs and gets me where I need to go, along with all my boxes of beads and other workshop materials, any car will do for me, regardless of make or age.

**REQUIRED CAR BUDGET: 2,500 EUR

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■■■ And for the online project, I need:

► Money for the domain, hosting and website development. As it mainly involves quite long videos, more storage space is needed, so the costs are quite high (for me, at least).

**REQUIRED BUDGET (domain and hosting for 1 year + website development): 4,000 EURO

► I also need a high-performance camera. I’ve already started filming a ‘test’ tutorial using my mobile phone. Unfortunately, the quality isn’t exactly ideal, especially as I’m working with tiny beads, ranging from 1.2 to 2 mm.

I’ve made several attempts, adjusted the settings, tweaked the lighting… but the videos my mobile phone produces aren’t good enough to show all the details clearly.

**REQUIRED BUDGET (camera + lenses + dedicated tripod): 2,500 EURO.

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TOTAL REQUIRED: 18,000 EURO

There are other needs as well, but I hope to sort those out if this fundraising campaign is successful and I manage to get this whole venture off the ground and make some sales (i.e. using my own funds, not from this campaign).

For example: all four of my wisdom teeth are impacted, having grown crookedly inside the gum. Obviously, this is causing me pain too. I need surgery to have them removed, because they’re pressing on a nerve and my temporomandibular joint has become misaligned due to excessive (involuntary) tension, and I risk my jaw becoming locked. The longer I wait, the worse the situation gets. Unfortunately, the quote I received from the clinic came as a shock to me: over 30,000 lei, so the only thing left for me to do is pray that my jaw doesn’t lock up before I’ve earned enough money to pay for the operations.

I’d also need physiotherapy for my spine. My physiotherapist always told me it would be best to go for treatment at least twice a month (ideally once a week) for it to be truly effective. But, as I’m short of money, I only go perhaps twice a year, only when I’m completely stiff and have no other option.

And if you’ve had the patience to read this far, here comes the LEGITIMATE question: WHY?

WHY does this woman need so many things? Especially when others are organising fundraisers for expensive treatments or operations to save lives?

WHY would I help her of all people, rather than someone who’s fighting for their life?

● WHY a car, too?

I’d like to take my workshops to as many towns as possible, because everywhere there are people who would love to learn how to make beaded jewellery – especially children – and who need a little beauty in their lives, some social interaction and hope, encouragement and new horizons. But I wouldn’t be able to travel with all the boxes of beads without a car, especially as my back and legs aren’t much help to me either. I’d like to share joy and hope with as many people as possible, but that would only be possible if I had a car to get to them.

● WHY a high-performance camera and a website?

Because, however much I’d like to, I won’t be able to get everywhere. And I’m convinced that there are people all over the country who’d like to learn to create beautiful things and who need a ray of hope and comfort. The internet now gives us the chance to go virtually anywhere; we can learn something from home, whilst sitting comfortably on the sofa. And that’s really important for people in wheelchairs.

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Please support me in this campaign, if you can. Any help, however small, brings me one step closer to my dream.

1. For the price of a coffee, you can help a child with special needs learn something wonderful that can change their life for the better. By supporting this initiative, you’re not only contributing to art and beauty, but also helping to bring about meaningful social change. Your support will provide new skills and hope to those who need them most.

2. Another way to support us is to buy the jewellery listed for this campaign OR to take part in the auctions where we have put other pieces of jewellery up for sale (within Romania only). In this way, in exchange for the money you donate to the cause, you’ll receive a piece of handcrafted jewellery to serve as a constant reminder that you’ve done a good deed.

3. Furthermore, by sharing the campaign on your social media accounts, you’ll help it reach other people who may be able to contribute financially.

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AS A SIGN OF OUR INFINITE GRATITUDE,

1. The names of everyone who donates 10 lei or more (less than 2 euros) will be listed on the ‘Friends Board’, which will be printed and displayed in a prominent place in the workshop, but will also appear on the website (with the consent of those individuals, of course).

2. Everyone who donates between 50 and 100 euros will receive from me a ‘Thread of Hope’ bracelet, along with a handwritten thank-you note (within Romania only) or free access to an online beginners’ tutorial designed for people with special needs (which can be given as a gift to someone else if the donor does not have children with special needs).

3. Those who donate between 101 and 200 euros will receive from me a VIP invitation to the in-person opening of the workshop (where they can have a coffee or a soft drink, see the studio and perhaps meet some of the students) or free access to an intermediate-level online tutorial designed for people with special needs (which can be given as a gift to someone else if the donor does not have children with special needs).

4. For donations of more than 200 euros, each person will receive a unique brooch made by me, along with a handwritten thank-you note (within Romania only) or free access to a more complex online tutorial (which can be given as a gift to someone else, if the donor is not interested in learning beadwork).

*** IMPORTANT NOTE: delivery will take place once the funds have been raised, the workshop has opened and the website has been launched.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every donation and for all your support!

May God bless you!