Since graduating from community college some 20+ years ago
with a Secretarial Science Certificate, my various administrative professional
jobs have ranged from legal secretary to account clerk to part-time
receptionist depending on the needs of my children and where my husband’s
careers landed us. While typing,
answering phones, and general office duties have provided a meager paycheck
with occasional benefits at best, it was never very satisfying on a personal
level. In 2008, I left a full-time auditing
position to care for an aging parent and be a stay-at-home mom.
Being a caregiver has its rewards, but I have found I am most
in my element when I’m using my God-given gift of creativity. Creating stories through writing or creating
art through photography and digital artistry have been my favorite
outlets. I’ve been blogging since before blogging
existed—I called it keeping a diary or journal and used a pen and paper.
I discovered I also have an eye for creating
jewelry as well. Not just any
jewelry—but jewelry to be worn with jeans! As I mentioned before, I’ve been in the workforce for many years, and
just about every workplace allows the wearing of jeans on designated days—typically
known as “Casual Day Fridays.” Everyone
knows that bright colored beads, silver, gold, and even pearls go with
jeans. But nothing matches quite as
well, in my opinion, as my unique “jean” jewelry.
My Casual Day Designs jewelry is made using a variety of
beads; however, the primary beads in each design are crafted from scraps of
denim. This has been an idea I'd had for awhile.
Using recycled jeans of differing hues and textures, I create
each bead and pendant by hand. No two
beads are alike and so no two pieces are alike.
I’m having such fun creating denim jewelry and enjoy sharing it, because everyone I know wears jeans!!
Bottom line is I love to create!!! I haven't met a craft project I didn't want to try.
I thrive on creating beautiful images with my digital camera--I have several framed and stretched canvas enlargements of my digital artistry displayed in my home;
I am passionate about creating moving and humorous stories through my writing--I have had stories printed in Country Extra Magazine, and I am currently a field rep for Our Iowa Magazine;
I am fulfilled when creating a sense of peace and stability in my home for my family;
I create heavenly lattes; and
enjoy creating jewelry from my one-of-a-kind, handmade denim beads!
I love that the Creator of the universe has blessed me with many talents that I can share with others.
