Howdy all,

My name is Mark Slater and I have been active in the flute community for a few years now. As a flute player, collector and the owner of The Flute Case Store, I have noticed most flute enthusiasts are kind and friendly people with a passion for sharing the Native American Flute. Whether in Paris, Texas or Paris, France, they seem to be a little different breed from other folks in that they are generous people and not afraid to share what they have.


From the Hands of the Masters
This being said, I was approached by a good friend and gifted flute maker named Greg Jones to get involved in a project called From the Hands of the Masters. The brain child of Greg's, the project is a collaboration of the best loved and respected makers to create a flute that would be the desire of all who saw it or heard it. It brings together many great talents and allows them to interact, exchange ideas and create the best flute possible. While a noble goal, the project does not stop there, in that the flute will then be sent to one of the world's best known and talented musicians to record an original piece of the music and then be auctioned off to benefit one or more persons in need. The buyer of the flute is the final member of the this dream team in that he/she will own a one of a kind flute and with their generous purchase will be giving much needed resources to someone in dire need.

As I learned about the project, Greg asked me if I might help in selecting the members of a flute build and coordinate its completion. Once I accepted this role, I thought long and hard about members of the flute community that I knew and respected and whose flute construction styles would be complimentary to each other. I also kept my selection to makers whose flutes I personally owned and loved. After additional deliberation, I then selected an artist whose music I admired and have enjoyed for several years. Once I decided who would be my dream group, I then called each talented artisans to see if they could spare the time. To no surprise, every single person asked accepted my request. Not only did they accept, but they asked how they could do more. This is not brag on my ability to be persuasive auditor, but to make clear the generous and classy nature exhibited by each artist.

The Flute Builders and Recording Artist
For this build, the following flute builders were involved. (Please note: There have been at least 2 other builds that I know about with a differing cast of flute builder and recording artists)

Dwight Lind of Quiet Bear Creations
Geoffrey Ellis of EarthTone Flutes
Rich Halliburton's Querencia Flutes
Colyn Peterson of Woodland Voices
Russ Wolf of Russ Wolf Flutes

By request, I do not list what each maker contributed but think it is very obvious that the flute is truly an amazing work of art.

The Recording Artist
The recording artist who recorded with this flute is our very own Jeff Ball. Jeff went to considerable efforts to do the recording while away from his house and had to have equipment brought to him while on tour. Thanks again Jeff for your selfness and lending your talent to this project.


Kaela's Journey
As I was working with Greg I asked him what charity we were going to donate the revenue generated from the build. He said that it was up to me as the coordinator to select one I was fond of and one that might in some way help a member of the flute community. At that time I really did not have a specific one in mind. It was a few weeks later that I was introduced to Dwight Lind, the artist behind Quiet Bear Creations. I knew that he donated the original wood to be used in the project. At Greg's prompting, Dwight gave me a call one evening where we talked about flutes, family and our mutual friends. At the end of our conversation, I felt blessed have made a new friend. From just one conversion I knew I had met someone of great depth, faith and kindness. Some days later I was relaying my impressions of Dwight to Greg. It was at that time that Greg began to tell me about Dwight's granddaughter's life and death struggle with Leukemia. At that point, I knew without a shadow of a doubt, who would be the beneficiary of the flute build. Below is a little about Kaela and her story as told by her parents:

On March 14th, 2008 the life of our family and our very beautiful 7 year old little girl changed. Kaela was rushed to emergency on March 14th from Tillamook Oregon to Doernbeckers Children's Hospital in Portland Oregon, with an illness that would not go away. Later in the day our family would be informed that our daughter Kaela has Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia or known as A.L.L. Kaela is a second grader at Liberty Elementary School in Tillamook Oregon. Kaela has always been full of life and still is,she loves to be around her family and to play with her friends. She also loves to go camping ,fishing, sing ,put together puzzles!and loves her pets and play in the snow. Hope for Healing, Believe for a Miracle, Fight for a Cure. Provisions for Kaela due to the medical attention needed, as well as medical supplies, and other provisions that are needed to accommodate a healthy living environment for her while she is home has been a bit overwhelming. If you feel the desire to contribute to Kaela's medical fund please send all donations to 507 birch, Tillamook Oregon, 97141. ATT: to Stoney and Crystal Lind. Thanks so much and God Bless You All!.

Kaela has a website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kaelasjourney I know she would love to hear from anyone interested in sending her a kind word.

THE FLUTE and RECORDING:
The flute will be placed on eBay for auction on October 5th , 2008 and will run through the 12th. It will have "Kaela's Journey" listed as part of the description so it will be easy to find. I will also add a link to the auction once it is scheduled.

ALL proceeds gathered from the sale of this flute/s will go directly to Kaela's bills and expenses.


Thank you for your time. Please don't be shy and tell all your flutie friends about the opportunity to make a difference in a 7 year old girl's life.

Wonderful idea! Thanks for posting it, Mark!

It is heartwarming to hear about the generousty and effort that went into this wonderful cause. It is really touching to see that beautiful smile on that little girl despite the lack of hair on her head.

Please give us a link when the auction goes live. I doubt that I have the wallet for it but can't wait to see the photo's.

Will the song (or cd) be available for a donation?

Thanks Mark.......

Thanks for the positive responses Jan and Ed! Ed you ask a great question regarding the song and its availability! That will be up to the buyer of the flute as to what happens to the song. If he/she wishes to make it available, I am sure we can work something out so the song/s can be used to generate additional resources. I will also need the permission of Jeff Ball and the other artists who have recorded songs for the other builds. Thanks for the great idea.

Mark

What an awesome thread to have on the Portal. And Mark...thank you for bringing Kaela to all of our attentions. I am humbled and proud to be a member of such an incredible community of talented people who give so freely and willingly of themselves for the benefit of others. God bless you all...
Tom

Mark,

That's a terrific story. Thanks to you for coordinating "Kaela's Journey" and to the artisans who helped make the project come alive. I'm sure it will be a huge success!

Dave

Thank you for sharing this with all of us. It reinforces my faith in the human race when we are still willing to help one another. I know I have no chance at the flute but will send a donation to the family.

May the good spirits surround Kaela and her family.

If you haven't seen it yet, Kaela's flute has shown up on eBay. Here's the link: Kaela's Flute

It's an absolutely beautiful flute supporting the life of a beautiful little girl. It's worth much more than I could bid on it, but I gave it everything I had to get the ball rolling. My thoughts and music will be with her.

Thank you Paul for posting that information! I appreciate any and all efforts to make this a success for the flute community and for Kaela. Anyone seriously considering purchasing it can send me an email or message through eBay or the Flute Portal and I would be glad to play it over the phone. I forgot to put that in the auction. I guess I will need to amend it. Thank you for your time.

Mark

Mark,

Although there is no international shipping for this flute, I placed a bid...
I believe and hope the bidding will go up much higher, but in case it does not,
I could also provide a shipping address within the US.

Many blessings, Robin

Sounds Great Robin! Thanks for your support. I have shipped flute cases internationally and had very little problem. I am sure I could do it with a flute.

Mark

THANK YOU everyone who bid on this flute and CD. I feel the auction was a huge success and will be auctioning off one other flute built in this fashion in the near future. Thanks also to those you visited Kaela's website and left her a positive note. She is a beautiful little girl and deserves a chance to fight this horrible disease.

Thank you to the master makers and the talented recording artist for selflessly spending their time and resources to make a difference in a little girl's life.

The flute was bought by Ken Bogart of Arizona. Ken is a great guy and I could not be happier that it is going to live in his flute collection. His collection is on par with any around and now owns another one of a kind creation. The flute sold for a respectable 710.00.


Mark

Hi Mark,
I'm sorry that I never got anything up on Myspace. We lost a loved one while at Yosemite and the last couple weeks have been a whirlwind. Please let me know if I can help with any future projects.

Peace,

Jeff

My condolenses on your loss.

Make sure you take good care of yourself during this time.

Blessings!

Hi Jeff,

I am sorry to hear about your loss. A thing like that can overshadow everything else going on in ones life. I think everything went well with the auction and I greatly appreciate your help and encouragement. I will call you if/when I am coordinating another project of this type. I consider this one a success and hope to do even better with the next one.

Sincerely,

Mark

Hey Mark,

Would something like this be possible for Randy Stenzel? Just a thought......

~~Bryce

Hi Bryce,

I am sure something like this is being done for Randy. I have heard rumors about concerts and CD releases. I do not know what specifically is in the works, but I am sure it will be something well done. We started this project over a year ago with Kaela as the benefactor so I am working to get it completed. The flute making and playing community is a wonderful group of people so I am sure that there are several things in the works.

Mark

Greetings Flute Addicts,

As part of the Kaela's Journey project we will be auctioning off flutes from private members collections to help pay for her family's expenses. The really good news for the buyer is that the reserve prices for these auctions will start well below retail and the donated flutes are from reputable makers with the exception of the historical flute whose maker is unknown. The flutes to auctioned off have been donated by Mike Turner (whose collection is on par with his person) and Kurtis Rook (friend of Dwight Lind). The current flute up for sale is made by Charles Littleleaf. The auction is located at
Kaela's Jouney: Charles Littleleaf redwood F# minor

Thanks for taking a look.

Mark

Well, wish I had some funds to work with, as I have never been able to acquire a Littleleaf flute, and they did not respond to an inquiry, for a direct order. Afraid the new car payment isn't going to provide me the needed financial squirm, though. Someone will get a very nice flute, for this good cause.

(I am telling myself.....you do not need another f#......you do not need....)

I'm not even going to look! I've had to buy four new tires, a new dryer, and a new starter for my car. I am not going to torment myself by looking!

Thanks for the note Jan. I understand where you are coming from. I often stay away from flute maker's websites and eBay for as long as my will power will hold up. I usually last about 2 hours or so before I cave in

Have a great day.

Mark

I know what you mean!!

Well, maybe a little peek wouldn't hurt ....

No, no!! I'm not looking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Family would like to say Thank you... Thank you... to everyone who has been involved with this project, we feel so very blessed to be apart of this. The auction was a blessing for our family as well! Also we would like to say Thank You to all who has visited our beautifull little girls web site and wrote their words of encouragement, Kaela really enjoys to read all her signings.

Thank You again and God Bless All of You!!

crystal lind, stoney lind, Tieler lind, Kaela lind

The Lind Family.....

Howdy Flute Addicts,

We placed one of the flutes donated by Mike Turner as part of the Kaela's Journey project on Ebay yesterday. It is a Spirit of the Woods High D minor. It is made of paduk and is beautiful. Please stop by and take a look at the auction. Kaela's Journey: SoTW Native American Flute

For all those who know how good Ed's flutes are, here is a chance to get one for a good deal without a wait.


Thanks

Mark

This is really a nice flute by Ed. The block is the PPP. Mark ,You have mail ............Mike

As usual the budget is depleted, and the key is not needed, anyway. Hope there will be some folks who do need that key, though, since it is for a good cause. Thanks for contributing that flute Mike.

Thanks Rick, After reading about Kaela's journey I knew she is a special little girl and I knew I had to do something. So this was the least I could do. Then after talking with her Grandfather "Quiet Bear" I felt there is a kindred spirit between us. Dwight is a super nice guy and hey he makes a great flute too !!!! Mark you ve got mail........

Greeting All,

I listed the next flute in the series of flutes that are to be sold to benefit Kaela. This flute can be had for a song and I think it would make a nice addition to any collection. The maker is unknown. From what I understand it was given to Mike Turner by Peter Phippen. Mike felt that it should be sold to help Kaela's expenses. Thanks again for donating the flute Mike. Anyone interested, please stop by an d take a look. The auction is Kaela's Journey: Native American Flute

Mark

Greeting All,

I listed the next flute in the series of flutes that are to be sold to benefit Kaela Lind. The maker of this flute is Charles Littleleaf who resides in on the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon. The flute is constructed of lightning struck juniper and is in the key of A minor. For more information please visit the auction on eBay. Kaela's Journey: Native American Flute by Charles Littleleaf

Please take a look and see if this flute belongs to you. I am sure the Linds could use the money especially to help fulfill those added expenses associated with Christmas and the Holiday season .

Thank

Mark

Greetings Flute Addicts,


The final flute to be auctioned off prior to the next "Hands of the Masters" is listed on eBay. This 5 hole flute was made by Raymond Redfeather and donated by Mike Turner. There is no hidden reserve on this flute and the starting bid is under $100.00. The auction is located at
Kaela's Journey: Native American Flute
Thanks for taking a look.

Mark