Popular African Bead Bracelets on Sale at Strings, Starting November 12

WHEN: Bracelets go on sale at Strings Restaurant on Nov. 12 from 5-10 p.m.

WHAT: The HOPE Bracelet project is a popular fund-raising event for Project Mercy! which funds the Medhane-Alem School in Yetebon, Ethiopia.

The colorful glass bead and silver bracelets were assembled in Ethiopia by boys and girls at the Medhane-Alem School from materials that were supplied by artists from across the U.S. The bracelets sell for $100 and every penny is donated to Project Mercy! These bracelets were created especially for this project and are only available in Colorado.

Limited In 2003, there were only 500 bracelets and they sold out almost Supply immediately.

This year there are only 1,000 bracelets available.

Bracelet: Each bracelet features a sterling silver clasp created for this project

by Details: Colorado jeweler Michelene Berkey and a sterling HOPE bead designed

by Robert Burkett. The bracelets were designed and assembled by Ethiopian boys and girls with the assistance of five Colorado bracelet makers: Tammy Cunningham, Cindy Brown and Devon Billings, Alissa Crowley and Patty Bonnet.

WHERE: Strings Restaurant, 1700 Humboldt, in a private room. It is not necessary to eat at the restaurant to view and purchase bracelets. Starting Nov. 20th, the bracelets will be available at Trice Jewelers with 100% of the proceeds going to Project Mercy!

VISUALS: The bracelets are extremely colorful and exotic. Hundreds of bracelets will be on display. High quality video of the Medhane-Alem School in Ethiopia is available, including video and still pictures of the beads being made by students. Denver artists will be available for interviews. This is a unique Colorado project and these original, limited edition bracelets are only available in Colorado. The first 500 are already collectors� items.

Photos of bracelets are at: www.cindybeads.com/projectmercy.htm

HISTORY: Project Mercy! was started in 1977 by an Ethiopian refugee couple, Marta Gabre-Tsadick and Deme Tekle-Wold. Their Medhane-Alem School has 865 children. More than 2,000 Ethiopian children applied for 165 available new spaces at the school this year. Through bracelet sales, it is hoped that more children can be accepted next year. Project Mercy also has an extensive health and nutrition outreach program to 200,000 people.