Tippy Stockton Jewelry came to be in August of 2009. But I have to back up a bit to explain. In April of 2008, my Dad passed away. He had been fighting Cancer for many years;
many more years than the doctors had ever expected him to live. But determination and a fiery Irish attitude
allowed him 6 more years with us. While
his death was sad, it was expected. What
was not expected was the Stage 4 Cancer diagnosis that was given to my Mom just
a few short weeks after Dad passed away.
My dear, sweet Mom was taken from us in January, 2009. My world was turned upside down. I found myself in the depths of a very deep
depression. I had quit my job as a
manager of a Home Decor/Nursery to take care of my Mom, so here I was so
depressed and with no job, and I felt no future. While tending to my parents affairs, my
husband and neighbor built me what is today known as the Tippy Stockton
Studio. Yes, upon my return from
California, there stood 4 walls to a darling little Studio just steps from my
back door. But what to do??? I had made jewelry for myself in the past,
but never really gave it a thought that I could actually make a business out of
it. With a few boxes of beads, some wire
and tools, I started beading. I was the
little girl who spent hours pouring through my Grandmother and Mom's jewelry
boxes. When I finally opened Mom's
jewelry box, I was surprised to find over 20 pairs of Rosary Beads. Before my Mom was my Mom, she was a nun. You could say I had a bit of a light bulb
moment. I began making necklaces and
bracelets with the medals and crosses from my Mom's stash of goodies. So I made it my mission . . . whenever I was
out junking, I would look for religious articles that I could use in my
jewelry. But it didn't stop there. I found some amazing filigrees from an ETSY
seller that have been the mainstay in my line ever since Lucky Magazine
featured my Barcelona Earrings as a Fall Pick in their October 2009
magazine. It was at that point that I
knew that this was what I am supposed to be doing.
In August, 2011 I launched my very own website @ www.tippystockton.com. I still retain my ETSY shop for the exposure, but most of my time and effort is spent keeping my own site fresh and up to date. In addition, I currently sell to over 30 stores in the United States, and have been featured in several magazines. I'm married to the love of my life John, and together we have a wonderful son Kellan who is 24 and an amazing mini Aussie named Chloe. We live in Edmonds, WA, a lovely little seaside community on Puget Sound. Through sadness, a new life has emerged for me, one that I'm really proud of. I feel the loving embrace of my parents each day as I bead away in my sweet Studio.
Feel free to stop by my blog @ www.tippystocktonblog.blogspot.com where you will find a post about the Giveaway I'm having in conjunction with this blog feature. Simply leave me a note about your favorite summertime activity, like my facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/TippyStocktonJewelry, and I'll enter your name to win one of my Blessed Bracelets (you choose the color and finish). I'll pick a winner on August 15. In the meantime, I hope you'll love perusing my website @ www.tippystockton.com.
Have an amazing Summer, and thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll visit again!
I have an upcoming birthday and when mom and husband asked me for some "ideas", I sent them to www.tippystockton.com :) I love vintage pieces because I feel the story behind them. Thank you for sharing yours!
ReplyDeleteHi Renee - just wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing my story with your blog followers today. I am truly touched by your story. You are an inspiration to all of us. Hugs! Patricia aka Tippy :)
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