Now those beads, brooches, bangles and baubles lying around and never being worn in a jewelry drawer can brighten the lives of women who are homeless, victims of domestic violence or recovering from addiction.

The Burien Arts Gallery, 826 S.W. 152nd Street in Olde Burien, has begun accepting the donated jewelry.
The jewelry is sorted, cleaned and repaired before being passed on.

Hospitality House at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church is one the agencies that will receive the jewelry.
Hospitality House provides temporary shelter, meals and services for women. Residents receive health care, employment help, mental health and substance abuse treatment, or other assistance
Program director Sheenah Randolph says the shelter will give out the jewelry for special occasions, job interviews and as a reward for accomplishments such as sobriety milestones, obtaining a job, finding permanent housing or graduations.

“Any woman feels more special and confident when they have something beautiful to wear,” Randolph declared. “It will be confidence-building knowing someone cares about them in the community.”
Other agencies that receive pieces are Cottage Grove Commons in West Seattle, Compass Center, Eastside Domestic Violence program, Snohomish County Center for Battered Women and the YWCA.

Everyone is welcome at a sorting party at the Burien Arts Gallery on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sorting party veterans report the atmosphere is light and everyone has fun as they pore over hundreds of pieces of jewelry--especially when a particularly interesting piece is discovered.

Even a single earring without a mate can be repurposed into a pendant. All jewelry is accepted.

Jewelry artist Micki Lippe began the Women’s Shelter Jewelry Project 17 years ago along with other members of the Seattle Metals Guild.

Jewelry may also be donated at Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way N.E.; Danaca Design, 5619 University Way N.E.; JayWalk, 1105 34thAve.,YWCA Seattle/King County Dress for Success, 1118 Fifth Ave.; and the Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave.

Donated jewelry may be dropped off at the Burien Arts Gallery, 826 S.W. 152nd St, Wednesday through Saturday, noon-6 p.m. The gallery is the only nonprofit fine arts gallery between Tacoma and West Seattle. More information at www.burienarts.org or 206-244-7808.