JashlinJewelry's Profile

Bio

My name is Jan and I'm a 54 yo divorced woman with 2 grown daughters in their late 20's and I live in Central Florida with my 3 dogs, Alex, Maddy & Kelso. At the beginning of my "adventures in jewelry", I specialized in the re-working of Vintage jewelry and adding whatever "cool" stuff I could find. I made the jewelry as a creative outlet and either wore it myself or gave my pieces to family and friends. My jewelry was always so different and unique, even "back in the day"! I have since added the art of making my own Lampwork Beads which I now incorporate into most of my designs and continue to use Vintage pieces too! I was always told I should "do something" with the jewelry I designed and made, but between having 2 active daughters, a full time job as a therapist for over 20+ years and all the other "stuff" that goes along with a full life, I just really didn't have the time to pursue my "Jewelry Dreams" but now I have a story to tell.......In January of 2007 I was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma. I endured 18 radiation treatments for the 2 tumors that had developed on my spine and pelvis and then I was placed on chemotherapy for a bit over a year and I am currently 13 months post having a Bone Marrow Transplant as a treatment for my cancer and was in remission for 10 months, but then relapsed, so once again, I'm back on chemotherapy and fighting the good fight. The yucky part about the kind of cancer I have is that it is one of the few cancers that are incurable. In other words, sorry to say, I WILL relapse over and over and the cancer will become active again, its only a matter of time. The bone marrow transplant was just a way to "buy some time" basically and that hopefully, through research, perhaps new drugs and therapies are on the horizon to help people with this ugly dreaded disease. But you know what? I CANNOT and WILL NOT, live my life in fear knowing that the cancer will continue to return. It has taken so many things from me already.... physically, emotionally, financially etc., that I'll be damned if I'm going to let it take away my PRESENT! So there! I am out to prove that I am just as stubborn as it is and I make it a point to enjoy EVERY day and finding pleasure in all I do...no matter what. Making Lampwork Beads has been so HEALING for me, so I encourage YOU to live each day to the fullest, let the petty things roll off your back and just live and love life, no matter what is going on in it. I am no longer working as a therapist, so the Universe is telling me to "do something" with my jewelry designs and bead making.....something that was told to me so many years ago by family and friends! I am excited to start this business on Etsy and also excited that now I am able to share my jewelry and beads with you. When I re-coup my original investment for materials and supplies, a portion of all sales will be donated to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Hospital's Bone Marrow Transplant Unit where I was a patient for over 6 weeks during my transplant. Also...please come visit me and say "Hi" at www.janscancerjourney.blogspot.com to read about my journey into the World of Cancer and no..it's not depressing...that's just not my style! Come back and visit Jashlin Jewelry often as I'll be continually adding new, fun and exciting merchandise in 2009. This is truly the culmination of a dream come true for me.....to sell my beads and jewelry...donate to a super great cause......and assist me in helping to offset over $300,000.00 in medical bills!

Female, Born on August 28

Favorite Materials

My Lampwork Beads made in my home studio located in Central Florida