Mom, Owner, Designer, CEO, Chauffer, Counselor, Educator, Chef, blah, blah, blah...

Someday this website will be top-notch professional, with a great bio written by someone else :) But for now, since I'm in the mood to write, you'll get a glimpse of just who I really am in my own words with probably more information than you really wanted...

So just who is the person behind With Love from Mom? Well, I'm a stay-at-home mom (and now entrepreneur!) who has been blessed with two beautiful children, ages 5 and 2, and the most supportive, understanding, patient and kind husband the good Lord has put on this earth. I'm a self-taught jewelry artist for the most part, but I'm always looking for new challenges and creative outlets, and someday I hope to really be formally educated in this trade. Previously, in what feels like it must have been a completely different lifetime, I received a B.S. in Computer Science from the Pennsylvania State University. I even got a minor in math... not sure why, but I did sit through every course required so I make sure to mention that. I went on to spend 5 years working as a Software Engineer in corporate America and then decided I'm much rather be home with my beautiful son who was 15 months old at the time.

Now I see that being a Mom is absolutely what I've been called to do no matter how difficult and mundane some days can seem. I won't bore you with the details of my daily life as Mom. But I'll get on with saying what brought me to create this site. I really enjoy any creative outlet I can find... from sewing to scrapbooking, painting and stamping... and hey, I still really enjoy making invitations and party favors, so if you're in the market for something handmade and don't want to do it yourself, give me a call! But really, this new website, with my new designs in beads and metals has given me a new sense of peace and purpose. I really feel that God led me to rosary-making for mostly my own growth but I see this website and my little business as having a three-fold mission...

First, I want to focus on prayer. I was at a time in my life when I was really struggling with my connection to God through prayer when I found rosary-making. With each creation, I pray for inspiration, hoping that the Holy Spirit will guide my eyes to beautiful combinations of beads and my hands to a lasting and sturdy construction. As I string the beads or curl the loops of wire, I pray not only for myself and my family, but most especially for whomever else will find their hands moving over the beads as instruments of their own prayer.

Second, I need to support my crafting addiction. Being a family of four on one income these days is tough, so at the very least, I hope to be able to continue creating if the habit can pay for itself.

And last, but not least, I pray that I might inspire someone who wouldn't normally be inclined to pick up a rosary to do so because perhaps they find themselves attracted to the material beauty of one of my designs... and that would lead them to experiencing the deep beauty of meditating on the mysteries and prayers. If I can bring just one person closer to Our Lady and Her beloved Son through my enterprise... well, I certainly wouldn't be able to take the credit for that accomplishment, but I would love to experience the grace that goes along with it :)

So that's just a little bit about me and the ideas behind With Love from Mom. I hope you enjoy your experience here, and if you ever have any questions or ideas to share, well, you know where to find me :)

God bless,