Dynamic Transitioning Success Story!

A dear friend of mine has an amazing story about the power of hope, faith, perseverance, and dynamic transitioning.

Allow me to introduce Willie Zuniga. Here is her story. After you read it, I hope you will visit her wonderful new antique jewelry site Morning Glory Designs:

Welcome to Morning Glory Designs! My name is Willie Zuniga, and I thank you for stopping by.

I offer you an heirloom-quality selection of vintage-style jewelry and keepsakes, reminiscent of the Victorian and Renaissance eras. Each piece is hand-crafted with exceptional care, and is destined to be cherished for generations.

I first began making jewelry during a long illness, and what began as a means of keeping busy soon became a passion. I did return to work for a while, but in 2003 my recurring illness forced me to leave my job permanently.

This was one of the most difficult times of my life ... I couldn't imagine how I would remain a productive, useful person without working, let alone learn to live with the results of the surgeries and treatments that were required.

During this time, I came across a website featuring Victorian-style jewelry components - AccessoriesSusan.com. There I found a whole new world - filled with photographs of Susan's creations, design ideas and lesson plans ... all using the most beautiful products imaginable.

Fascinated with these lovely brass filigrees and jewels, I immersed myself whole-heartedly in learning to design with them. Although I was still very sick, this process shifted the focus away from my seemingly hopeless health problems - and onto the timeless beauty found in this avenue of design.

During my day-long hospital treatments, I would often bring along a piece of jewelry to work on. This sparked an interest from some of the other patients, and “Angels in the Parlour” was born. Armed with extra supplies and tools, I began to share what I knew, and soon we had a small group of budding designers ... all very sick, but each changing what might have been a terribly dismal time.

As a result, I have formed many wonderful friendships. Most cherished of these is that with Susan Street, the owner of AccessoriesSusan.com, who has given so freely of her time, experience and resources. By maintaining a high standard of quality and variety in her products, she has truly made the “Angels” project possible ... for even a beginner can make something extraordinary when using her components!

I hope you’ll take a moment to look through our “Angels in the Parlour” category. 100% of your purchase from this section will be used to buy supplies for our project, and whenever possible we’ll feature items made by the patients themselves as well. Although my hospital visits are just once every three weeks at this time, I additionally hold informal jewelry-making “classes” in my home, and no patient is ever asked to pay any type of fee.

I find the greatest joy in the company of these courageous ladies ... they are truly amazing women! Amidst their shared joys and sorrows, they create and dream and laugh ... all while fighting the greatest battle of their lives. My eternal thanks to these “angels,” - for keeping me productive and useful ... and for teaching me so much more than I’ll ever teach them!