Strong Women Lift Each Other Up
By Connie Hensley-Jones
A little over five years ago, when I was contemplating retiring from a 45-year career in business and management, I asked myself the question I’m sure most women in this position do: “What am I going to do next?” I decided it had to be something I was passionate about, something I loved and wanted to learn more about, but never had the time. For me the answer was easy, from the time I was 5 years old and received my first ring I have loved jewelry. I had acquired a lot of it over the years and dabbled in a few jewelry making classes from time-to-time. I wore jewelry every day of my business career and now, facing a new lifestyle that didn’t require a professional wardrobe, the seedling of an idea began to grow. I wanted work with jewelry; I already owned more of it than I could ever wear; I knew there were many other women in the same position; I wanted to do something that supported the causes of women and girls; and that was the beginning of a non-profit organization called From My Jewelry Box.
Shortly after retiring my husband and I jumped in our motorhome and trekked to Tucson for a few months, we became the proverbial “snowbirds”, escaping snowy Central Oregon for the sunshine of Southern Arizona. I had heard about the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show before but never experienced attending. I think it was providence that took us there because, with my idea still jelling about working with jewelry, I was suddenly thrust into the center of the jewelry universe! Every year for about three weeks in January and February the rock, gem, mineral and jewelry worlds cosmically align in Tucson. Gemologists, artists, miners and nearly 4,000 trade companies gather there to share their treasures, knowledge and expertise with tens of thousands of attendees at over 40 venues all over the city.
That first year in Tucson I took jewelry making classes, bought supplies and tools, talked to artisans and learned everything I could about the jewelry trade. When I got home I inventoried my own jewelry, talked to other women about my ideas, started making jewelry and developed a website. This is the premise of From My Jewelry Box: it is a 501c3 non-profit organization that sells jewelry and donates all the profits to further the causes of women. It sells handcrafted jewelry, jewelry that has been donated (costume, fine, new and vintage), and jewelry purchased wholesale from vendors. The women’s charities it supports include: domestic violence against women and children, women’s health, women in the arts, breast cancer awareness, and women’s poverty issues. The six specific charities are listed on the website: www.frommyjewelrybox.org.
It’s now January 2020 and I’m in Tucson once again looking forward to my 5th Gem Show, the 65th for Tucson! From My Jewelry Box has over 600 pieces of jewelry for sale on its website and I’m now doing 3 or 4 small craft shows each year as well. We hope to provide more support for women each year and we try to live our motto: “Strong Women Lift Each Other Up!”
Submitted by Connie Hensley-Jones
President, From My Jewelry Box
Shortly after retiring my husband and I jumped in our motorhome and trekked to Tucson for a few months, we became the proverbial “snowbirds”, escaping snowy Central Oregon for the sunshine of Southern Arizona. I had heard about the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show before but never experienced attending. I think it was providence that took us there because, with my idea still jelling about working with jewelry, I was suddenly thrust into the center of the jewelry universe! Every year for about three weeks in January and February the rock, gem, mineral and jewelry worlds cosmically align in Tucson. Gemologists, artists, miners and nearly 4,000 trade companies gather there to share their treasures, knowledge and expertise with tens of thousands of attendees at over 40 venues all over the city.
That first year in Tucson I took jewelry making classes, bought supplies and tools, talked to artisans and learned everything I could about the jewelry trade. When I got home I inventoried my own jewelry, talked to other women about my ideas, started making jewelry and developed a website. This is the premise of From My Jewelry Box: it is a 501c3 non-profit organization that sells jewelry and donates all the profits to further the causes of women. It sells handcrafted jewelry, jewelry that has been donated (costume, fine, new and vintage), and jewelry purchased wholesale from vendors. The women’s charities it supports include: domestic violence against women and children, women’s health, women in the arts, breast cancer awareness, and women’s poverty issues. The six specific charities are listed on the website: www.frommyjewelrybox.org.
It’s now January 2020 and I’m in Tucson once again looking forward to my 5th Gem Show, the 65th for Tucson! From My Jewelry Box has over 600 pieces of jewelry for sale on its website and I’m now doing 3 or 4 small craft shows each year as well. We hope to provide more support for women each year and we try to live our motto: “Strong Women Lift Each Other Up!”
Submitted by Connie Hensley-Jones
President, From My Jewelry Box