Jewelry Designs

Jewelry Designs by Michele Lynn

Since I was a little girl playing dress up, jewelry has been one of my passions.  One of my first jobs as a teenager was in a department store selling jewelry.  I left retail for the business world where I spent 23 years.  At one point in my life, I needed to take a second job.  Naturally, I followed my passion and went to work in a jewelry store.  It was wonderful.   I was able to admire, love and try on all the jewelry to my heart’s desire.  After many years in the corporate world, I was laid off.   What do I do now?  I took some time off, kicked my shoes off, relaxed on the beach, collected shells and looked for sea glass. After a few months, I met a woman who introduced me to the world of selling jewelry through home parties and I had fun with that for a year or so, but something was missing.

I was still searching for something to do...something that would allow me to combine my passion with my skills.  My husband suggested I take some classes at the community college.  I don’t think he meant jewelry classes, but while looking at the course list on line I noticed basic jewelry making classes.  Well, that was an easy decision.  I registered in February 2006 and my addiction to making my own jewelry began.  That was the beginning of my dream come true.

As some of you may already know, I’ve been doing this for several years now.  My skills are well developed and I am developing some new ones - like silver soldering. I continue to learn and grow as I meet new people and discover what they like.  I started out beading, moved on to wire wrapping, pearl knotting and then to making lattice bracelets, which seems to be the road most traveled.  I’ve learned to make some complicated pieces, but some of the simple ones are just as beautiful.

Then I had a road block. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April, 2008.  It set me back several months.   I was not able to focus on any of my jewelry designs, or much else.  For the first time, taking care of myself became my priority!  I had a lumpectomy and a series of radiation treatments. I am now on Tamoxifen for 5 years.  It was a long road for me but I’m back, better than ever!  I have a positive outlook and I am moving forward with my life.   I am adding Breast Cancer jewelry designs as well as other Cancer Awareness jewelry to my collection. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The American Breast Cancer Society.  I’m currently looking into setting up a fund that will help local women who have had Breast Cancer.   I have lost several family members and my best friend to Breast Cancer.  I look forward to helping others, as I know first hand, the journey is long.  Each one of my piece’s of jewelry will either be named after a family member or someone I know that has had breast cancer or...has lost the fight to breast cancer. 

I have also chosen to make a Colon Cancer line of jewelry since that cancer has been experienced in my family as well.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Colon Cancer Research or to a local colon cancer patient.  For now I will focus on breast and colon cancer awareness and look forward to adding additional cancer lines in the future.

It addition to the cancer line of jewelry, I have made over 150 custom pieces of jewelry. My main goal is to help other people in need, the best that I can, while doing what I love most, designing and making jewelry.
 

My Designs

All of my jewelry is made with sterling silver, gold filled and can request 14 KT gold, gem stones, crystals, fresh water pearls, Swarowski pearls.  I can use gold filled and gold on special orders. You can request custom pieces either based on an existing piece I have designed or send me a picture of something you like and I will let you know if I can create that piece for you.

I’m looking forward to sharing my new ideas with you and having you share something new and exciting with me.  I do love to go into every hand crafted jewelry store and see how different everyone’s designs are. I enjoy making smaller pieces of jewelry, but I do love creating unique larger pieces as well.  I will be mastering working with sea glass, which I find on my beach in the Florida Keys.  Each piece of sea glass will be perfectly handed picked and the piece designed by me.  I love shells and collect many from my beach in the Keys.  I am excited thinking about designs and creations for these beautiful treasures from the sea. 

I also am learning to work with a silver smith and anticipate creating some of my own beautiful silver pieces.

Be sure to watch for my Artisan’s Corner highlighting one-of-a-kind pieces!  Well, I have a lot to do, so I better get started. 

Have a Great Day!

PS. If you have any questions you can contact me using the Contact Us option on the left side of the page, otherwise you can also send mail to me directly here: micheletribbett@tastethecloud.com