Kelsi's Gift
Well, it is official. During the month of December I will be doing a fund raiser for the Pre-eclampsia Foundation. This is a great thing in so many ways.
As many of you already know, Kelsi, my daughter, was born 4 months early because I developed severe Pre-eclampsia 23 weeks into my pregnancy. She was born at 24 weeks on December 30th. She lived only 2 1/2 days and died in my hands on January 1st 2005. The Pre-eclampsia Foundation is a wonderful place to find information about PE, but it is so much more to me. I had never heard of PE taking a child's life. I felt so alone. When I found the PE foundation I realized I wasn't alone. This had happened to other people too. It is true what they say about misery loving company. It wasn't that I was glad this had happened to them. I would never wish that pain on my worst enemy. But it was nice to be among people who had walked the path before me. I knew I wasn't alone. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through the darkest hours of my life without the love and support of the women on the PE Foundation boards. I even went on to become a Grief and Loss moderator for them.
This December Kelsi would have been 3 years old. I made my angels in her honor and what better way to honor her than to donate the proceeds to the Pre-eclampsia foundation. So, from December 1st to January 1st (Kelsi's Angel Date) I will donate 50% of the sale of ALL angels sold.
This really is for a very good cause. I would really appreciate any help I can get in spreading the word. This is a great Christmas gift. I can even make some of them into ornaments, albeit small ones. I would love to have custom orders as well. So you are not at all limited to what you see on my site. The angels can be customized with birthstone crystals, making these a great gift as a Mother's or Grandmother's Pendant.
I will be changing the angels section on my website this week to make ordering easier to understand.
Here is a new angel that I have just listed. I have made three of these in the past and even though I listed this one just tonight, it is the longest any of these have stayed on my site. The others sold within just 15 minutes of listing them.
As many of you already know, Kelsi, my daughter, was born 4 months early because I developed severe Pre-eclampsia 23 weeks into my pregnancy. She was born at 24 weeks on December 30th. She lived only 2 1/2 days and died in my hands on January 1st 2005. The Pre-eclampsia Foundation is a wonderful place to find information about PE, but it is so much more to me. I had never heard of PE taking a child's life. I felt so alone. When I found the PE foundation I realized I wasn't alone. This had happened to other people too. It is true what they say about misery loving company. It wasn't that I was glad this had happened to them. I would never wish that pain on my worst enemy. But it was nice to be among people who had walked the path before me. I knew I wasn't alone. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through the darkest hours of my life without the love and support of the women on the PE Foundation boards. I even went on to become a Grief and Loss moderator for them.
This December Kelsi would have been 3 years old. I made my angels in her honor and what better way to honor her than to donate the proceeds to the Pre-eclampsia foundation. So, from December 1st to January 1st (Kelsi's Angel Date) I will donate 50% of the sale of ALL angels sold.
This really is for a very good cause. I would really appreciate any help I can get in spreading the word. This is a great Christmas gift. I can even make some of them into ornaments, albeit small ones. I would love to have custom orders as well. So you are not at all limited to what you see on my site. The angels can be customized with birthstone crystals, making these a great gift as a Mother's or Grandmother's Pendant.
I will be changing the angels section on my website this week to make ordering easier to understand.
Here is a new angel that I have just listed. I have made three of these in the past and even though I listed this one just tonight, it is the longest any of these have stayed on my site. The others sold within just 15 minutes of listing them.
Although I can not share this experience with you, I do empathize and this article touches my heart. Thank you for sharing and reaching out to try and make a difference!
Reply to this
Thank you Jodie,
I appreciate that. I really do hope to raise some good money for the Foundation. They do a lot of good and I would like nothing more to help find a cure for Pre-eclampsia.
Reply to this
How do you photograph your work. You do a very nice job at that too, and boy that is almost as tough as making nice jewelry!
Stefanie
Reply to this
Thanks Stefanie,
I totally hear you on how difficult it is. For every picture that I use, I usually take anywhere from 3 - 8 pictures. Then I pull it in to Photoshop and continue to edit it so the levels are correct.
I have a light tent and light set up. I had tried all the cheap ways of making a light box and was NEVER successful. I finally put out the money and haven't regretted it once. I also have a very nice digital camera. I figured if I was going to do this business thing, I might as well invest in the right tools to get the job done right. It was hard to swallow the cost at first, but again, I haven't regretted it. Now if only I could figure out how to get the picture right the first time. Then I wouldn't have to sit and fiddle with them afterward.
Melissa
Reply to this
Oh, Melissa! It's lovely. I, too, know the heartbreak of losing a little girl...and in December...and 4 months early...and having her pass away in your arms. No mother should have to go through that!
My little one's birth wasn't the result of Pre-eclampsia, though, but of a problem with the cervix. She would have been 7 this December 19th. It seems like yesterday! I applaud your efforts in putting your talent to such fine use. I love the heart detail on the bottom of the wrap in front of the agate.
Reply to this
Marian,
Your post totally brought tears to my eyes. *sniff sniff*
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your little girl. It is amazing at how quickly the time has been flying by. In some respects it seems like ages ago and in others, it seems like yesterday, as you said.
Many hugs to you!
Melissa
Reply to this
Mellisa,
I wanted to let you know that your jewelery is brilliant.I do not have the room or all the equipment it takes let alone talent. but I keep trying.
I see by the post that a lot of you have lost a child. It is a very difficult thing to go through. Back in 1975 I was married to a man that did not believe in public emotion at all. Including talking or crying to him. My son would be 35 this year and I still think of him every day. I stayed married to that man for almost 20 years dying inside. After we where split. i met a wonderful man that let me cry as much as I needed too. And believe you me after 20 years I had a lot of crying to do. I finally was able or should i say aloud to go to his resting place and be with him. Mike takes me there every year its a ways away. Lets me cry talk and love my Baby Ray all I want. He passed away in the night of SIDS at 5 months I lived in the woods and could not get any help for the husband(har,har)was not home. I wrote this to let you all and Mellisa know that you never forget it dose get easier but I always remember he is in the arms of the One who created and gave him to me. And some day when its my time i will be with and see him again. Keep that in your hearts no matter who you believe the Creator is. It will be and our lives will be full again. again I love your work and let the Lord comfort you,
Loralee
Reply to this
Loralee,
Sorry about the confusing process. Sometimes I have a difficult time too. All the blogs have different processes and it gets really confusing. Why oh why can't we have everything the same and easy to navigate?
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I really appreciate it. I sometimes wonder what it will be like 10, 15, 20+ Years down the road. My grandmother had a daughter that died due to SIDS. My dad told me that every April you could tell my grandma was thinking very hard about the little girl she was missing. My grandmother died just 3 weeks ago. I know of two little girls that were there waiting for her as she passed.
I am very sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine going through that "alone" as you did. I too, am looking very forward to that wonderful reunion with my little girl. I have already told everyone, she is getting the very first hug from me..... and I don't think I will ever let her go! She is a part of my everyday life. I have her pictures in my bedroom on my cedar chest. I see her every morning when I wake and every night when I go to bed. My oldest daughter and I talk about her a lot also.
Thank you very much for the compliments on my work. I am having a lot of fun learning and trying new things. I have been very fortunate to have a very understanding husband that is supportive of my "habit." HAHAHA
Thank you again for your very thoughtful comment. I am really glad you shared with me.
Much love,
Melissa
Reply to this
You are very welcome. I to see my son everyday. I will pray for you.
Are you teaching your self your silver smithing or have you had classes along the way? I am more of a painter, but work with beads, polymer, and silver clay. I took a few classes in collage but did not get real serious until I became disabled. I really love working with the silver clay although I have not come up with anything worth printing. No schools or classes for my craft where I live. San Juan islands But maybe soon. Tell then I'll keep trying.
Keep up the beautiful work. hope to talk with you again ,
love loralee
Reply to this
Loralee,
When I started silversmithing, I took a couple of small 5 hour workshops that introduced me to using the torch, general information about soldering and such. I didn't do much with it until January of this year. I took another workshop in January to learn bezel setting and there hasn't been any looking back from that time. I have been mostly self taught in everything else.
In August of this year I began taking classes at the University of Akron. I have learned quite a bit while I have been there. I also learned that I was doing quite a few things right.
There really aren't simple class/workshops here where I am either. That is why I have started to teach. I love training and it helps others out as well. Now all I have to do is find more students.
Many hugs!
Melissa
Reply to this