People near and far joining People near and far joining together to bring a little joy to together to bring a little joy to

those who survived the tsunami in those who survived the tsunami in JapanJapan

500 Frogs started 500 Frogs started as the brainchild as the brainchild of Deb and Randy of Deb and Randy Buckler, artists in Buckler, artists in CaliforniaCalifornia

A Table full of Frogs!A Table full of Frogs!

Each frog is catalogued and matched with its own special handmade, hand-crafted bag.

Why frogs?Why frogs?

• Considered good luck in Japanese Considered good luck in Japanese cultureculture

• Good fortuneGood fortune

• Return of things given awayReturn of things given away

Examples of Painted FrogsExamples of Painted Frogs

Artists: Kathleen Prince, Cindy Diel, Lisa Haley, Artists: Kathleen Prince, Cindy Diel, Lisa Haley, Lindsay Lowdes, Deb Buckler, Kollean Gouyton Lindsay Lowdes, Deb Buckler, Kollean Gouyton

More than just painted frogs:More than just painted frogs:Jeweled frogs by Sharron Dunning, Tattoo frog and Decoupage Frog Jeweled frogs by Sharron Dunning, Tattoo frog and Decoupage Frog (patients of Napa State Hospital)(patients of Napa State Hospital)

Currently, hundreds of frogs have been painted by artists and students and shipped to Japan

Participants in 500 FrogsParticipants in 500 Frogs

• Jane SchneiderJane Schneider• Kollean GouytonKollean Gouyton• Shawn McNeelyShawn McNeely• Gina HallGina Hall• Kimberly BleeckerKimberly Bleecker• Yvonne StevensYvonne Stevens• Elizabeth WeinbergElizabeth Weinberg• Amber BoardmanAmber Boardman• Donna LorelloDonna Lorello• Deb and Randy BucklerDeb and Randy Buckler• Nanci Caron and patients of Napa State HospitalNanci Caron and patients of Napa State Hospital• Kathleen PrinceKathleen Prince• Zaena BurdickZaena Burdick• Karen DietrichKaren Dietrich• Karenetta SmithKarenetta Smith

• Michelle Platte & students of Edison-Bethune Charter Academy, Fresno, CAMichelle Platte & students of Edison-Bethune Charter Academy, Fresno, CA • And many more!And many more!

Frogs in Japan!

With Anne Thomas’s efforts, frogs were shipped from California to Japan and distributed at various functions

It’s Easy - You Can HelpIt’s Easy - You Can Help

All you need are a few things:All you need are a few things:

- A desire to bring joy to someone in A desire to bring joy to someone in needneed

- Your creativityYour creativity

- $3 donation per frog to help offset $3 donation per frog to help offset production costsproduction costs

You Can HelpYou Can Help

Things to avoid when Things to avoid when designing your frog…designing your frog…

• confederate blue and blue greys in confederate blue and blue greys in combination is best avoided.combination is best avoided.

• No human faces – there is an evil No human faces – there is an evil spirit in Japanese culture that comes spirit in Japanese culture that comes in the shape of a frog with a human in the shape of a frog with a human face face

With thanks…With thanks…

To Anne Thomas for being Deb’s To Anne Thomas for being Deb’s contact in Japan in helping to receive contact in Japan in helping to receive and distribute the frogs!and distribute the frogs!

Keep UpdatedKeep Updated

• http://500frogs.com/http://500frogs.com/

• http://www.facebook.com/500Frogshttp://www.facebook.com/500Frogs