If someone had told me years ago that I would be calling myself a jewelry artist, I would have laughed. Me? An artist? But sometimes things work out very differently than you had thought. I am a high school teacher and a mom who loves jewelry but never thought I could make it.

In 2009, my then 2 year old son was diagnosed with a very debilitating and life threatening form of epilepsy. My whole world just crashed down around me. I couldn't eat or sleep, I only watched him every minute of every day and night, cried, and prayed. I lost weight and became a shell of myself.

Months later, my mom was here helping me with Isaac. I was just talking to her and told her that I had noticed that the bead store down the street was having a class. I said "I would like to do that sometime, just to do something new." That was it...she insisted that I go. She would take care of Isaac and if something happened she would call me. The store was less than a mile away and I knew I could be home very quickly. I went.

I really enjoyed the class, even though I know I looked at my phone every other minute. The class would be every Saturday for a few weeks. Week three...WIRE! I loved bead weaving and all the other skills I learned, but when I got wire and tools in my hand I was hooked. It was probably the best therapy that I could have ever found. I have since taken metalsmithing classes and am always looking to add to my skill set.

Fast forward to today. Isaac still has lots of problems and issues, but he is moving forward. He goes to school and is the happiest boy you will ever meet. He has a lot of developmental issues, but is learning. Any money that I make goes to help pay the bills that insurance doesn't cover for all of Isaac's many therapies and treatments. Yes, I make a lot of things in the middle of the night when I can't sleep, but it helps me to decompress and not worry. Thanks for looking at my shop and thanks for any prayers and healing thoughts you could offer! God Bless!