Updated 10/03/2010.
The Blessed Violin is complete! See photos.
THE AUCTION HAS BEGUN! Go to Auction.
Thanks to Fiddler Magazine for placing an announcement of this auction on the Events page of its website.

The inspiration for the story came while I was working on a violin. I then had the idea to name one of my violins after The Blessed Violin in the story, place it for auction on eBay and donate 100% of the proceeds to the Methodist Children's Home Society. This national society cares for children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. I encourage you to click on the link to learn more about the wonderful and inspirational work of this charity.

The violin that will be placed on auction is shaped and patterned after one of the earliest violins of the famous Italian luthier Andrea Amati (c.1520–c.1578). Amati was the founder of the Cremona school of violin making. His violins served as the pattern for other famous makers to follow including Stradivarius. The Blessed Violin is patterned after one of his earliest violins circa 1560 that is in the collection of the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota. The link will take you directly to the page about this violin.

The violin to be auctioned is being made now. It is being made with the finest of materials. It has a two-piece top of Englemann spruce from the mountains of Colorodo. This spruce has been drying for over 50 years. The two-piece bottom is made from a piece of highly flamed Canadian maple.The violin has spruce blocks and willow linings. Please visit the Violin Gallery to see photos of the violin as it is being made. These photos will be updated as work on the violin progresses so please return to see the updates. See the violin label.

The Blessed Violin will be placed on eBay for auction on Sunday October 3, 2010 and the auction will end on Sunday October 10, 2010. Once the auction begins I will place a direct link to it here on the web site. The beginning bid will be set very low and with no reserve! A risk I know but I have faith. A handmade violin can sell for $10,000 or more.

The winning bidder will receive this violin in a case and separately will receive a letter of gratitude and acceptance from the Methodist Children's Home Society indicating the amount donated. The identity of the winning bidder will be kept confidential on eBay and on this web site.

Please help make this project a success. The more people who know about the story and the project the greater the chance we will have a successful auction that will help the Methodist Children's Home Society continue and perhaps expand their wonderful work. Tell your friends and family members about this project. Everyone who helps spread the word about the project is part of the project! Return often to see updated photos in the gallery. We will meet on eBay during the week of October 3rd!