Hi!  My name is Meredith and I used to be able to do anything I wanted to do, physically, mentally and concretely.  My parents taught me to be goal oriented, and I have carried those teachings with me all my life. I received a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University, became a Registered Nurse and worked in Special Procedures for 12 years.  Then I became disabled with symptoms that affect every part of my body.

The loss of my nursing career was devastating and I was terrified every day that my life as a productive member of society was over.  The accompanying depression was just as immobilizing as my physical disability.  I simply didn't know what to do with myself.  Then, one day, a friend asked me over to make some jewelry.  I'd never done that before, but had always loved jewelry, so I went.  And did that ever change my life!  Making jewelry has given me a creative outlet that I can see results of almost instantly.  It fills my time without my even being aware of anything else.  I started with earrings and simple necklaces.  

Then, I became interested in wire-wrapping and, again, started simple projects and moved up to more complicated ones as I learned new techniques. I sill consider myself a beginner, but I have been watching DVDs, reading books, getting patterns from the internet, etc., to broaden my skills.  Most of my jewelry I sell at home parties or just word of mouth from friend to friends of friends.

Because of my disability, it takes me longer to produce a piece than I would have been able to before.  That is my only frustration.  Otherwise, making jewelry has essentially saved my life, turned it around into something happy and productive.  I have faith that in the time I have left, making jewelry will sustain my heart, mind and soul.  

I guess my message here is that, no matter life's challenges, it is up to each of us to take those challenges and turn them into opportunities; and, don't wait for them to come around; create them yourself.  I always wear the very first wire-wrapped bracelet I ever made to remind me of how I overcame the fear of failure and changed that fear into creative success.