Remembering Cindy
October 1, 2008 by Cyndi Lavin
Filed under Artist Communities, Bead Embroidery, Events & Shows, My Family & Friends, Non-Wearables, Other Bead & Jewelry Sites
Beaded face panel
by Cindy McCornack
Cindy McCornack was a friend and mentor to beaders, in person and online. She lived in Alaska, but had friends all over the world through the online beading community, especially the Bead Art forum. Among the things she left for for beaders was her book, Exploring Beaded Art Dolls, full of instructions, inspiration, and photographs of beaded art dolls that she and her friends created.
When Cindy was diagnosed with lung cancer, the Forum responded with flowers, gifts, support, and contributions. In thanks, Cindy began the Mystery Image Challenge. Inspired by the Mat-Su Valley Bead Society in Alaska, she cut an image into rectangles, emailed the rectangles to interested participants who were to bead the lines with black beads, and then embellish the rest of the rectangle. No one knew the finished image except for those who created the central face blocks: Cindy herself, Marya LeMieux-Ruibal, Mary Elter, and Rebekah Hodous.
One of the completed mystery panels
Cindy died in 2005 of her cancer before being able to complete the project. Moderators of the Bead Art Forum have since completed assembling the Mystery Image Challenge. These four completed panels are now for sale in the Remembering Cindy Etsy shop. The panels, postcards, and a couple of the dolls (explained below) are already listed. There’s much more to be added, which will happen over the next three weeks or so. All profits after expenses will be donated to the American Lung Association in Cindy’s memory.
Also for sale in the shop are some of the dolls that were made for her during her battle with cancer. Her partner, John, gave them back to the Bead Art Forum for this purpose. There are also items that have been donated specifically for sale in Cindy’s memory. Those who would like their own small memory of Cindy’s Mystery Image Challenge can also purchase postcards of the four panels. Again, all profits after expenses will be donated to the American Lung Association.
Please visit the Remembering Cindy Etsy shop (she would have loved Etsy). The shop will be open through the end of 2008, closing in early 2009. Cindy is missed, and we want to help fight that disease that took her away from us, with funds from your purchases in the shop.
I came into the Bead Art group after Cindy passed. I could tell how much she was revered by the other members. She is still very much a part of this group and I think she would be proud to know her project was finished and that the proceeds will go to such a good cause.
I never knew Cindy personally either, but her influence and presence were always all over the forum. I was only too glad to post this info today when it reached me
Hi Cyndi, I did know Cindy. She visited at the Fairfield, CA Bead shop (where we met) just before she learned of her condition. She was a great influence in getting me into beading dolls. Thanks for this info; I just purchased the doll I had made for her.
Oh Mary!! That’s so wonderful to hear
Beautiful tribute Cyndi—this is a wonderful thing they are doing to celebrate her life and work.
Very helpful and interesting article, Cindy..!