As I was considering which of so many wonderful charities to support with my jewelry business, several came to mind right away: finding homes for the abandoned animals in our community, cancer research, and Type 1 Diabetes research. Each possibility was so worthy and does such excellent work. How to decide? 

My decision ultimately came down to a very personal experience. Several years ago, a beloved family member was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at Christmas time at a very young age. To say the hospital stay was an unhappy time is understating the obvious. The family member, by the time she was released from the hospital, had learned to inject herself with the insulin which was now necessary. Over the intervening years, many finger sticks and injections later, there is still no cure for this disease. Those who are diagnosed with T1D battle the disease every single day of their lives. In the end, for me, I simply felt that I had to support, with my handmade jewelry, the wonderful organization that provides funds for research for Type 1 Diabetes. Go here if you would like more information about this disease.

On Tuesday, June 13th the collection was launched and the jewelry is now on my website. Click here to see the complete collection: ​http://www.laurateague.com/store/c39/Type-1-diabetes-better-tomorrow

I began slowly to narrow down my focus - I did like the idea of helping the abandoned animals in our city and the need is so great; I admire those who give so selflessly of their time and resources to help find these animals a home. A little closer to home, cancer research was a huge interest, primarily because I watched both my mother and two cousins succumb to cancer not too many years ago (all within one year but that is another story). Finally, diabetes research was on my radar because of another family member's struggle with that disease. In the next post, I will let you know how I finally decided where to focus and how I decided how to accomplish the next step. 

Be well. 
Laura

Do you remember the "hopes" we talked about for 2017? If you need a refresher, you can go here to see that earlier post. If you looked back at the list you may remember that I was working my way from the bottom to the top of my list. (Don't ask me why, that is just the way it seemed to make sense to me.).

Anyway, the very last thing on the list is "Do something nice for someone else" and I have great news to share!!  After several emails back and forth with the wonderful people at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, we have an agreement in place and I will be making an exclusive jewelry collection that reflects the dedication of those who work daily to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes and the hope that families living with T1D have as they fight the diabetes battle every single day. (You can click here JDRF or on the logos within this blog post to learn more about the work JDRF does.)

The jewelry collection will be available in early summer and will feature simple shapes that have symbolic meaning to the community I am designing for, along with the blue color that is also symbolic.  More details to follow!

Until next time!
Laura