A Mother's Gift . . . It Keeps On Giving

Any woman who believes that her everyday activities have no particular meaning to her child needs to read how Susan Myers' life as an artist colored the future of her daughter, Marcy. Marcy relates that it wasn't the big moments, but rather the everyday creativity, kindnesses and opportunities to learn by watching that made her, and now her own young daughter, reach out to find themselves in the world.

Lenexa, KS (PRWEB) May 9, 2004 -- Mothers generally want to see their children succeed in lifes journey, but donıt necessarily expect to travel that road with them. But back in 2002, Susan Myers and daughter, Marcy Hall did some brainstorming, searching for a way to do just that. They wanted to inspire and encourage each other artistically, grow their relationship, and venture into business together. From that initial session, evolved a family business called Refreshing Elements, http://www.refreshingelements.com, which combines their individual talents and passions to create and market artistic, original jewelry designs.

Marcy doesn't remember when she became aware that her mother was artistic, "Being surrounded by various kinds of art was just our life. My Dad was a drummer when I was young. My Mom was always creating . . . jewelry, clothing and drawings. Artists of one type or another always surrounded us. As a child, Mom sometimes took me along to classes while working towards completing her Fine Arts degree in jewelry design. My childhood work was displayed all over the house . . . it was taken seriously, and shown with pride. That was my mothers gift to me . . . it has given me the freedom to live and create without fear as an adult. Iım trying to treat my own childrenıs ideas and work with the same respect."

With that natural exposure to the arts, and gentle encouragement from her parents to do whatever life called her to do, Marcy explored many areas. Her Dad eventually left the band to build a printing business, also influencing Marcy's business side. She completed a business degree and got experience with several printing companies in management, customer service, and team facilitation. "My parents divorced when I was 8, but I watched both parents manage businesses, sometimes making radical life changes in order to follow their dreams or ethics. I learned that you can make your own way in life, work for yourself, and be true to yourself. Thats what I want my kids to take from watching us." Marcy's husband, John, fully supports her artistic endeavors. "Just as we encourage our childrens interests, we also encourage each others." Being a computer industry professional himself, John designed and maintains the Refreshing Elements shopping gallery on their web site, and also researched and built Marcyıs lampworking studio, where she creates original glass beads.

As for Susan . . . she couldn't be prouder of her designing daughter, and loves their working hours spent together. "I didnıt visualize jewelry design as a business until Marcy encouraged me to give it a try." With many years experience in the field of graphic design, Susan owns Silvermaze Design, www.SilvermazeDesign.com, a graphic design studio. "Integrating our jewelry business into my life has expanded how I can express myself artistically, and allows me to see my family more often."

While they have a love of the fanciful, these women have their feet firmly planted in realism. Susan says, "We do everything ourselves -- design, assembly, photography, marketing, graphics, sales, advertising, web design, you name it. And owning our own business provides us with direct feedback from customers -- its really a joy to hear how much people appreciate your work."

They have no illusions about business being easy. It's the art of their work and the time spent together that drives them to grow and excel. Even their company logo -- the ginkgo tree ­ illustrates their belief that steady, hard work produces quality results. "The ginkgo is a slow-growing tree, but hardy and sturdy... that's how we see our jewelry designs. It takes time to lovingly create pieces of enduring beauty and value, and we believe our customers appreciate that," says Marcy. We love to create one-of-a-kind jewelry that people will cherish, so we're especially proud of our line of custom family-inspired jewelry made with mothers and grandmothers in mind. Every family is unique. We create pieces to honor that."

Marcyıs daughter, 8, has already benefited from watching her mother and grandmother. "She participated in a community art fair and sold out of her handmade scented soaps, and now has a successful pet sitting business, built on her own. Marcy loves that "sheıs learning through real experiences to follow her heart, contribute to society and earn an income." Grandma Susan has discovered that encouraging her children and grandchildrens talents and interests has come full circle and now inspires and encourages her own.

A Motherıs gifts . . . they keep on giving.

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