Saving pets one piece of jewelry at a time

Shop closed 12/31/2014. Thanks. 100% of all proceeds were donated to local animal rescue organizations. Our furry pals thank you too. It's true, I'm in love with more than just one animal. Too many to count. I've loved numerous dogs, cats, and birds over the years. Gone to great lengths to save some, providing temporary or permanent homes to some, found safe havens for some. Fed a ton! They inspire me. I've even had a pet psychic do readings. Call me wacky, it doesn't matter to me. I know these creatures are incredible and worth the time and effort to help.

Making jewelry started out of necessity. Unable to find the perfect accessory and, or, unnwilling to pay what I felt was too much for pieces I did find, I decided to try making it myself. A modest effort went into creating personal pieces and soon realized I had decent ability. Who knew? Not me. The ability to imitate another's art grew into a desire to design my own. The entire process is exhilirating. Visualizing a picture in my mind, the search for just the right components, executing the design, to the final reveal, each step a journey. Ironically, I'm not a huge jewelry wearer, but, I am a huge jewelry admirer. So, what did I do with this new found love? Well, inundate female friends and relatives with gifts of jewelry.

It was years later, when I had an urge to adopt a special needs dog, Sabrina, a blind and deaf rescue Pom. She was only with us for a year before she passed, but, it was a great year. I found her through PetFinder, a national database showing available adoptive pets. They led us to a local shelter making an effort to save pet's lives. I was impressed with their work and made it a point to visit their adoption events at a local pet supply store. I'd quietly slip whatever I had on me in the donation jar. It was the least I could do considering the HUGE amount of work they do every single day for these precious animals. So many times friends would ask me why I didn't sell my jewelry and one day it occurred to me to open this store and donate the proceeds to help more animals in need. It took some courage on my part to expose my insecure ego to the public, but, I bit the bullet and got started. Over the years I've helped others run successful businesses, also ran my own rewarding business as an American Express Financial Advisor and District manager. Surely these experiences could help me run my little shop.

This allows me to contribute in more ways than ever imagined. For one, I'm doing what I set out to do, which is help more pets by donating all proceeds to help displaced and needy pets. Also, my clients, fellow artisans, suppliers, and supporters have become an extension of my family. They have impacted my life ways I never expected. When I receive a note from a client about how much they love their piece, I am overwhelmed with gladness. Or, a fellow artisan compliments me on my work, I feel genuinely honored. You know it's almost as great as the feeling I get when I donate funds to our local animal rescue organizations. Smiles all around. Like I said, it's a love affair.