The Lace Studio Wedding Dress Necklace : Giveaway

I have admired Liz Cater’s jewelry for quite awhile now. I posted about her fabulous idea for wedding dress necklaces back in 2013. What a wonderful way to remind you of your special day. Liz will encase a piece of your wedding dress lace in a clear waterproof resin and sterling silver backed pendant to wear as a necklace. But this idea expands beyond just wedding dress lace. Any special material will work… a hospital baby cap, a piece of your past loved ones favorite shirt or tie, military uniform or any piece of cloth that means something special. I love it Liz! A necklace that reminds me of a moment in time, my very own time capsule. It’s something that I can look down at and feel all warm and fuzzy when I remember that day. Thank you!

I caught up with Liz a few weeks ago for a meet-the-artist interview! She is so nice and offered to send a GIVEAWAY kit to one lucky Bit of Bees Knees reader! And a shoutout to all you guys out there…Valentine’s day is just around the corner and I think this would be the perfect gift for your lovely lady.

-GIVEAWAY RULES-

The contest will be held on my INSTAGRAM at the time of this post and runs until January 23rd.
1. Like this picture and tag 1 friend in a comment below.
2. Check out @the_lace_studio on Instagram and like one of Liz’s pictures.

That’s it! Contest runs until January 23rd! I will notify the winner via private Instagram message the night of the 23rd for your shipping info.

The kit is for the 20mm sterling silver necklace, so a little bigger than the one I’m wearing (mine is 15mm, or dime sized, and the 20mm is nickel sized) and retails for $85. I will mail the lucky winner a necklace kit from The Lace Studio. It comes with complete instructions on how to send in your material, pick a background color and mail it back to Liz (stamps included). Any material can be sent in!

Meet the Artist

L I Z Z C A R T E R

What inspired you to make jewelry?

I was inspired to make lace jewelry from my own wedding. I asked my seamstress to save any lace she cut off during alterations with no real plan on how to use it, I just knew I didn’t want it to go to waste! After searching for gifts to give to my family for helping me plan the wedding I fell short, the typical robes and monogrammed cups were great, but didn’t seem personal enough. I started with the idea of putting the lace in a locket, but really wanted it to last a lifetime, and that’s when I started experimenting with resin. It took many different processes and resins before finding what worked best, but now that I have the basic process down, the ideas are limitless, and I really enjoy encasing all types of materials in resin now, it no longer has to only be lace.

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?

In my time off I enjoy hiking and yoga, and spending time with family. My son is 11 now and it’s a really fun age.

Where can you be found online (websites, social media etc)?

I can be found at thelacestudio.com, on Facebook (facebook.com/thelacestudio), and Instagram (@the_lace_studio), I’m also still on Etsy where I started in 2011 at lacestudio.etsy.com.

What is the most rewarding aspects of starting a handmade business? Do you have any tips?

I love that I am able to be creative and work with my hands. My favorite thing is hearing the stories behind the material that I work with. I am honored that my clients let me be a small part of that story, and that I can help keep that story alive by creating something they can wear everyday. I am so grateful that I am able to work from home with flexible hours, it allows me to put my son on the bus every morning and be here when he gets home from school. My tip to anyone who enjoys creating is to go for it! Even if it starts as a hobby and not your full time job, you never know where it will take you unless you try.

Jewelry for a Good Cause By Soothi

When Krit, the creator of Soothi Jewelry approached me for a collaboration, I couldn’t pass it up. I love learning about companies that empower women and give back to their community. Soothi is all about natural yoga inspired jewelry made from coconut shells, sandalwood and such. 5% of earnings are donated to Help Animals India to save puppies as well as providing flexible and safe work opportunities to disenfranchised women.

“Women who come from poor families, often don’t have access to education and means to gain financial independence. They are often also from conservative families that don’t allow for women to work. It’s a patriarchy. Since Soothi partners with a non-for-profit they are able to position themselves as a community center where women can come to learn. Within this center they offer work opportunities, along with education opportunities. They also offer total flexibility for these women, so they can come and go as their family situation allows.”-Krit Creator & Curator

Soothi’s Ethos:
All the wealth in the world can’t help people, if people are not taught to help themselves. With Soothi, we try to educate people, so that they may learn to be self-sufficient. By providing an approachable and encouraging work environment, we empower women and underprivileged artists. Offering opportunities to achieve financial stability and self-reliance can help individuals feel secure and content. It all leads to a sense of stability, which eventually helps move society forward.

I traveled to India a few months back — witnessing this country first hand makes me thankful for companies like Soothi who provide healthy work environments for women and artisans in India. Way to go Soothi!

Yoga Zen Braclet & Amethyst Mala

Rudraksha & Sandalwood Mala

Pure Earth Teal Mala & White Tassel Bracelet Set

Cute Jewelry for a Good Cause {Our Sisters of Africa}

After a trip to Kenya and Uganda, Kelly Rorden and Stephanie May felt a calling to help high school girls deal with the struggles they face as young women in Africa. Many girls in Kenya and Uganda “don’t have money for sanitary napkins,” something that we in U.S. take for granted. Most females living in impoverished communities miss “1/4 of their schooling” due to monthly cycles. Missed school means poor grades, higher dropout rates and some girls even resort to prostitution for money.

Upon coming back to the U.S. Kelly and Stephanie were determined to help these young women stay in school. They started Our Sisters of Africa — A beautiful Etsy Shop dedicated to raising money to support women in Africa by purchasing reusable sanitary pads. Our Sisters of Africa sells handmade jewelry and 50% OF THEIR PROCEEDS go directly towards supporting young women in Africa. With the purchase of just one ring you can provide a girl with reusable pads for an ENTIRE YEAR!

Check out their website or go directly to their shop. You can even like them on Facebook or contact them at oursistersofafrica@gmail.com! Spread the word!

What a wonderful idea guys! Keep up the good work!

Love, B