Selected as Cousin Creative Circle Brand Ambassador

Be Yourself Charm by Cousin Corp.

First, can I tell you how hard secrets are for me... especially good secrets.  When something wonderful happens (or is about to happen) I'm bursting at the seams to share and yet I have to keep my lips zipped.  It's like when you find the perfect Christmas present for your sweetie... and you HAVE to tell someone because it's burning a hole in your head, and you're so excited to see his face on Christmas morning when you surprise him, but you can't keep it in because all that Christmasy goodness would cause one to explode... Yes, I'm THAT excited!

I am honored and thrilled to have been selected by a panel of esteemed judges at Cousin Corporation to be on their Creative Circle as a brand ambassador for the upcoming year. (Click Here to read the press release.)  Out of hundreds of applicants, I was one of 5 jewelry artists chosen.  I'm thrilled because I use beads in an unconventional way!  It makes me very proud to be able to bring my form of art jewelry to a larger audience and help people think outside of the box.

Cousin is a 4th generation, family-run company which is so special to me.  As my jewelry is designed to be a legacy from the matriarch of the family to future generations, so is this company for the Cousin family.  I value family so much and I'd do anything for my family.  So to be welcomed as an official "Cousin" is an honor and a privilege.  (Useless Trivia that won't get me on Jeopardy: Jeff Cousin, President of Cousin Corp. was born in Beloit, WI about 45 minutes from me)

"Our Creative Circle program has absolutely surpassed our expectations," said Jeff Cousin, President. “We want to keep the craft of jewelry making relevant and maintain it as a growing art. We are excited to expand the program so we can show even more people that jewelry making is accessible and rewarding, and also introduce them to the Cousin brand.”  As Cousin Ambassadors they will have a platform to share ideas with the product development team, create projects for publications in magazines and on various social media platforms, preview upcoming programs and provide feedback about products before they go to market.

Published in Beadwork Magazine September 2012 - Love Toggle by Cousin

Over the next year, I'll be working with an incredible group of women to share our love of jewelry design.  We all have unique styles and bring something special to the Creative Circle.  We'll be working with the designers at Cousin to help test and try new products and give feedback to help enhance the art of jewelry design.

Designed for Tony Romo's Wife at the suggestion of my brother - Chain by Cousin

As my journey into the art of jewelry designs embraces this new adventure.  I have so many people to thank for inspiring me, teaching me and helping me to become ME!  My grandma taught me to crochet at a really young age, which translated into a few wire crochet jewelry pieces.  My mom taught me to sew and quilt which has been exponential helpful in creating the style of jewelry I create today, bead embroidery.  My mother-in-law who encouraged me that "surely you have a talent darling" and that I needed to "bling it up a bit."  My dear brother, Greg who has become an integral part of my business as an inspiration, an idea generator and over all quality control.  I'm so lucky he's so interested and passionate about that which I love doing so much.  My sisters Amy & Brenda, thank you both for appreciating my jewelry and allowing me to create special YOU-inspired designs.  Amy your wedding was such a joy to be able to create for. My numerous business mentors for believing in me, wearing my pieces, sharing my name and helping me to make good business decisions to grow the business I have built.

Finally, I have to thank Chris.  You're my soul mate and my best friend.  I thank you for allowing me to explore my creative side and find what my true calling is.  It gives me such joy to create pieces of jewelry for women I know love them and are going to pass them down to their daughters and granddaughters.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming year of sharing my creativity with the Cousin team and fellow members of the Cousin Creative Circle!  I'm honored and excited to embrace the possibilities!