Earthy, whimsical boho Handmade Jewelry in Loving Memory of Julie Berls
This shop is dedicated to my best friend Julie Berls, who taught me the art of making hemp necklaces several years ago, which inspired me to branch out into other types of jewelry.
At first I was awful at it, and my necklaces looked more like something the cat would yack up than anything someone might want to wear. But Julie helped me figure it out, and was patient, and encouraging. Though it started as casual crafting, I admired her for the caring, natural-born teacher she always was.
Julie started "hemp club" as a way get our group of friends together to make necklaces, catch up, laugh, and enjoy life. It was a way to spend our summer days outside, and create something at the same time. Often we would make them for one another, and some nights we would sit outside past sunset, squinting at our work as dusk took over.
Julie was the knot that bound us together, and much like this handmade jewelry, she wove friendships between so many people that would otherwise never have met. Julie was taken from this world too soon in December 2011 in a car accident. With each necklace I make, I do so to memorialize my best friend, my hero, and one of the best teachers to ever grace my presence.
A portion of the proceeds from every necklace I sell will go towards a memorial fund in her honor, to be given out annually to a graduating Senior at St. Charles East High School who plans to pursue a college degree in education.
